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Contract 3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

In regards to a contract job with one of our client in Torrance, CA. They are looking for a FLASH1 ... Qualified candidate must be competent in compiling 2D/3D illustration sequences, video, web and ...

... contract. * Substitution 1: Associate's degree in 3-D Modeling, Animation, or a related arts discipline with 7 years of experience providing creative animation and modeling support on a DoD or ...

... contract. * Substitution 1: Associate's degree in 3-D Modeling, Animation, or a related arts discipline with 7 years of experience providing creative animation and modeling support on a DoD or ...

... contract. * Substitution 1: Associate's degree in 3-D Modeling, Animation, or a related arts discipline with 7 years of experience providing creative animation and modeling support on a DoD or ...

$2.1K/wk

Storyboarding & Production Design, Cell Animation I, 3D Character Animation, Advanced Cell Animation, Projects Drawing for Animators, and other Animation Courses. Department overview: The Department ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

LA is seeking an experienced 3D Designer to join our Brand Design team under a contract expected to ... Develop high quality product renders and animations for executive presentations * Support packaging ...

3D Designer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$50 - $65/hr

LA is seeking an experienced 3D Designer to join our Brand Design team under a contract expected to ... and animations for executive presentations • Support packaging design by building Keyshot ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract 3D Character Animator information

See salary details

$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do contract 3d character animator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 3d character animator in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract 3D Character Animator vs 3D Modeler?

AspectContract 3D Character Animator3D Modeler
Primary FocusAnimating 3D characters and bringing them to lifeCreating and designing 3D models and assets
Skills RequiredAnimation techniques, storytelling, riggingModeling, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentFilm, gaming, advertising projectsGame development, film, product visualization
Common CertificationsAnimation software proficiency (Maya, Blender)Modeling software proficiency (3ds Max, ZBrush)

While both roles require expertise in 3D software, Contract 3D Character Animators focus on bringing characters to life through movement and performance, whereas 3D Modelers concentrate on creating detailed models and assets. Both roles often collaborate in the same industry settings, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Contract 3D Character Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract 3D Character Animator jobs? Cities with the most Contract 3D Character Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Animator jobs? The most popular types of 3D Character Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Contract 3D Character Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract 3D Character Animator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract 3D Character Animator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract 3D Character Animator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Contract 3D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Senior or Principal 3D Character Artist

PUBG Madglory

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

We are PUBG, the global battle royale phenomenon! After the release of our flagship title in 2017 we have become one of the highest selling games of all time with over 75 million copies sold - that's a lot of Chicken Dinners! And that's only the beginning: PUBG Madison is developing an exciting new IP that aims to push the shooter genre forward.
Our state-of-the art studio and brand-new motion capture studio are in the heart of Madison, WI, a city frequently named the best place to live in the US for its vibrant culture, natural beauty, and outstanding, innovative educational institutions. PUBG Madison has been named a Top Workplace in 2025 and 2026 for our positive, strong company culture. Experience the perfect balance of urban excitement and natural tranquility in a city with more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, an incredible downtown farmer's market, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
||This role is open to remote work for those located in the United States and Canada. This role will work primarily on Pacific Time Zone (PST) business hours and requires regular collaboration with Korean-speaking teams; fluency in both English and Korean is strongly preferred.II
The person we're looking for:
  • Is passionate about achieving a high-quality bar.
  • Is able to incorporate feedback to improve their output and can elevate others' work by providing constructive feedback.
  • Defines artistic direction and execution even in ambiguous situations.
  • Is driven to achieve results collaboratively as a team.
  • Possesses technical expertise yet remains humble and open-minded to new ideas.
  • Able to create systems and quality standards for a team of artists.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead AAA-level character production and oversee the full pipeline from modeling and texturing to in-engine implementation.
  • Collaborate with Art Directors and other disciplines (Animation, TA, Design, etc.) to deliver results that fit the game experience.
  • Improve character production pipelines and workflows to build an efficient production environment.
  • Review work from team members and outsource artists and provide specific feedback.
  • Manage project schedules, resources, and task priorities to ensure deliverables are completed on time at a high standard.
  • Implement game-optimized characters with technical constraints in mind.
  • (For Principal level) Define the character art direction for the project and establish and maintain quality standards for the team.
  • (For Principal level) Define the visual direction and quality bar for all character art across the project, and design the standards and workflows that enable the team to produce consistent results.
Qualifications:
  • 5+ years' experience for Senior level/ 8+ years of experience for Principal level in game development or equivalent relevant experience, with at least 1 shipped game.
  • Portfolio showcasing photorealistic, high-quality character art presented in-engine.
  • Strong understanding of the full character art pipeline.
  • Deep understanding of human anatomy, form, proportion, costume, and material representation.
  • Proficiency in major DCC tools such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
  • Professional experience working in Unreal or Unity game engines.
  • (For Principal level) Experience leading a team or mentoring artists.
  • Experience communicating clearly and solving problems in a collaborative environment.
  • Experience owning environment art quality and direction and meeting deliverables on a past project.
  • Ability to self-manage, prioritize tasks, and deliver under deadlines.
  • Ability to work during Pacific Time zone business hours (10am-4pm) with regular ability to meet in the evenings (5-8pm PT) for international collaboration.
  • Ability to travel internationally 1-3 times a year for business purposes.

• We place greater weight on what level of results you achieved and in what kind of project/environment, rather than years of experience alone.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Professional fluency in English and Korean greatly preferred.
  • Experience working on games developed across multiple countries.
  • Experience defining character style or setting art direction.
  • Experience managing and providing feedback to outsource vendors.
  • Experience building or improving character pipelines.
  • Experience with in-engine visual implementation (PBR, shaders, lighting, etc.).
  • Deep expertise in specific areas such as clothing or hair.
  • Multi-platform (PC/Console) development experience.
  • Experience contributing to team building, hiring, and organizational growth
What We Offer:
  • A highly competitive total compensation package
  • Comprehensive employer funded healthcare - ensuring you pay nothing out of pocket for in-network medical care
  • Employer-paid premiums for dental, vision, short & long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D insurance
  • Generous time off including 20 days of prorated PTO, 12 paid holidays and a studio-wide holiday break annually
  • Generous annual sick leave days to prioritize your well-being
  • Annual health & wellness, video game, and continuing education reimbursements
  • Industry-leading family planning and fertility care benefits, including gender-affirming care, through Carrot Fertility
  • Enjoy free catered lunches, meal reimbursements, and snacks and beverages for in office staff
  • Engage in regular team outings and events to foster a positive work culture
  • 401K with a company match for your financial well-being

PUBG Studios provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.