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Contractual Technical Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobgether

$18.50 - $24/hr

Establish best practices and technical workflows in collaboration with Animation, Art, and ... This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data ...

Jobgether

$93K - $98K/yr

... animation, and related disciplines. You will be responsible for guiding distributed art teams ... You will collaborate closely with production, design, and technical teams to ensure smooth ...

Lnw

Software Engineer

Raleigh, NC

... that combines art, animation, sound, and math into a finished charitable game. Work in a ... Effectively communicate technical requirements to team members. * Collaborate with software quality ...

Grover Gaming

Software Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

... that combines art, animation, sound, and math into a finished charitable game. Work in a ... Effectively communicate technical requirements to team members. * Collaborate with software quality ...

Kitware

3D Computer Vision Researcher

Arlington, VA · On-site

$155K - $215K/yr

Highly innovative and demonstrated track record for solving difficult technical challenges using ... Due to contractual restrictions, only US Citizens will be considered for this position * If not ...

Kitware

3D Computer Vision Researcher

Arlington, VA

$155K - $215K/yr

Highly innovative and demonstrated track record for solving difficult technical challenges using ... Due to contractual restrictions, only US Citizens will be considered for this position * If not ...

Southland Industries

VDC Project Lead

Pflugerville, TX · On-site

This role combines technical expertise with process management, ensuring adherence to BIM standards ... Collaborate on external BIM execution plans to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

Kitware

3D Computer Vision Researcher

Arlington, VA

Highly innovative and demonstrated track record for solving difficult technical challenges using ... Due to contractual restrictions, only US Citizens will be considered for this position * If not ...

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Contractual Technical Animator information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do contractual technical animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractual technical animator in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contractual Technical Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contractual Technical Animator, you need a solid background in animation principles, rigging, and a relevant degree or equivalent industry experience. Expertise in industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages like Python or MEL, as well as familiarity with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and adaptability help you collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure the creation of high-quality, technically sound animations that meet project requirements and timelines.

What is the difference between Contractual Technical Animator vs Technical Artist?

AspectContractual Technical AnimatorTechnical Artist
Required CredentialsRelevant animation, rigging, and technical skills; often a degree in animation, computer graphics, or related fieldsKnowledge of art pipelines, scripting, and technical tools; similar educational background
Work EnvironmentProject-based, temporary contracts for specific animation or rigging tasksLong-term or project-based, bridging art and technical teams in game or film studios
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in animation studios, game development, VFX companies for specific animation tasksCommon in game studios, VFX, and multimedia companies for pipeline development and asset integration

In summary, Contractual Technical Animators focus on specific animation and rigging tasks on a contractual basis, while Technical Artists have a broader role in integrating art and technical workflows within a studio. Both roles require technical skills and are vital in animation and game development industries.

How does a Contractual Technical Animator typically collaborate with other departments during a game development project?

As a Contractual Technical Animator, you'll work closely with character artists, riggers, and gameplay programmers to ensure that animations are both visually appealing and technically functional. Collaboration is key; you'll often act as a bridge between creative and technical teams by troubleshooting issues related to rigs or animation pipelines. Effective communication and adaptability are important, as you may join projects at various stages and need to quickly align with existing workflows. Regular meetings and feedback sessions help keep everyone on the same page and contribute to a smooth production process.

What are contractual technical animators?

Contractual technical animators are professionals hired on a contract basis to bridge the gap between art and technology in animation projects. They are responsible for creating and maintaining animation rigs, developing tools, and ensuring that character and object animations function smoothly within digital environments, such as games or films. Their work often involves collaborating with both artists and programmers to solve technical challenges and optimize animation pipelines. Contractual positions can vary in length, typically supporting specific projects or periods when specialized animation expertise is needed.
More about Contractual Technical Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Contractual Technical Animator jobs? Cities with the most Contractual Technical Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Animator jobs? The most popular types of Technical Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Contractual Technical Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Contractual Technical Animator jobs include:
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Contractual Technical Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contractual Technical Animator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Part Time, and 36% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Lead Rigger

Jobgether

On-site, Remote

$18.50 - $24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Lead Rigger in Netherlands.

As a Lead Rigger, you will take ownership of the character rigging pipeline for an ambitious game development project, driving technical excellence across character creation, animation systems, and performance optimization. In this leadership role, you will collaborate closely with animation, art, and production teams to establish high-quality workflows that support realistic character movement and deformation across multiple platforms. You will mentor a talented team of riggers and technical artists while developing innovative tools and processes that improve efficiency and scalability. Working in a fully remote and highly collaborative environment, you will help shape the future of character technology, combining artistic vision with technical expertise to deliver exceptional player experiences.

Accountabilities
  • Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the character rigging pipeline, ensuring high technical and artistic standards.
  • Oversee rigging, deformation systems, simulations, and technical quality for characters, creatures, and weapons.
  • Mentor and support riggers and Character Technical Artists, fostering professional growth and team excellence.
  • Establish best practices and technical workflows in collaboration with Animation, Art, and Production teams.
  • Design and develop tools, automation solutions, and pipeline enhancements that improve productivity and content quality.
  • Implement and optimize procedural animation, secondary motion, physics, and Control Rig systems within Unreal Engine.
  • Provide technical guidance and problem-solving support to animation and art teams throughout production.
  • Collaborate with external partners and outsourcing teams to ensure consistent rigging standards and efficient workflows.
  • Balance visual fidelity with performance optimization across multiple target platforms.
Requirements
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in the video game industry, including participation in at least two shipped game titles.
  • Experience working on at least one released Unreal Engine project as a Rigger, Technical Animator, or Technical Artist.
  • Proven leadership experience managing, mentoring, or guiding rigging and character technical art teams.
  • Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Maya, with experience using rigging frameworks such as mGear considered an advantage.
  • Strong background in pipeline architecture, tools development, and workflow optimization for character production.
  • Advanced scripting skills using Python or similar languages for developing tools and automation solutions.
  • Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine animation systems, including Control Rig, Physics, Cloth, Anim Dynamics, and Rigid Body simulations.
  • Strong understanding of character deformation, procedural animation, and secondary motion techniques.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Passion for character technology, innovation, and continuous improvement within game development pipelines.
Benefits
  • Fully remote work environment with the flexibility to work from almost anywhere in the world.
  • Generous paid time off allowance to support work-life balance.
  • Dedicated studio-wide Summer and Winter shutdown periods in addition to regular PTO.
  • Private medical and dental healthcare coverage.
  • Private mental health support program.
  • Annual health and wellbeing allowance.
  • Discretionary studio performance bonus.
  • High-end technology and equipment provided for your home office setup.
  • Additional regional benefits depending on your location.
  • Opportunity to contribute to a large-scale, highly ambitious game project alongside experienced industry professionals.
  • Collaborative, autonomous, and player-focused culture that values creativity, transparency, and continuous growth.
How Jobgether works:
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
 Why Apply Through Jobgether? 
 
Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.
 
 
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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