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Director Gaming Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed. What Will Make You a Great Fit: * 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed. What Will Make You a Great Fit: * 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed. What Will Make You a Great Fit: * 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed. What Will Make You a Great Fit: * 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one ...

NetEase Games

Character Performance Animator

... Animation Director, Action Director, Performance Animator, or related role in the film or game industry. Candidates must provide portfolio examples demonstrating both action-oriented and subtle ...

Spinplay Games

Art Director

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$115K - $121K/yr

Hands on directing of detailed aspects of art and animation ensuring high quality products. * Develops concepts with Designers; understanding the game play/functionality and translating their vision ...

Apple

Art Director, Games Content

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$149K - $156K/yr

By joining this team, you can bring your deep passion in creating gaming content design experiences ... Working knowledge and experience in 3D and Animation. Working knowledge of UI/UX Design Tools such ...

Carlost Inc.

Account Manager

Burlingame, CA · On-site

High Moon Studios is seeking a talented and self-directed Technical Animator who can join for a 12-month temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a ...

Carlost Inc.

Customer Success Manager

New York, NY · On-site

High Moon Studios is seeking a talented and self-directed Technical Animator who can join for a 12-month temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a ...

Carlost Inc.

Account Manager

Burlingame, CA · On-site

High Moon Studios is seeking a talented and self-directed Technical Animator who can join for a 12-month temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a ...

Weekday AI

Character and Facial Animation Consultant

$60 - $90/hr

Verifiable credits on two or more feature films, animated productions, or AAA game cinematics produced by recognized studios. * Direct experience with facial animation and/or performance capture ...

Bsu

Instructor of Animation

Muncie, IN · On-site

$3.0K - $9.0K/wk

... game art/design, visual effects, and a studio art program that includes drawing, painting ... Lara Kuykendall, Director,lkuykendall@bsu.edu Please follow upload instructions to attach one PDF ...

Spinplay Games

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$148K/yr

This role is responsible for directing the execution of the vision by game artists, animators and developers. The Game Designer works in a collaborative small team environment with a group of ...

Spinplay Games

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$148K/yr

This role is responsible for directing the execution of the vision by game artists, animators and developers. The Game Designer works in a collaborative small team environment with a group of ...

Apple

Art Director, Games Content

Cupertino, CA

$130K - $247K/yr

By joining this team, you can bring your deep passion in creating gaming content design experiences ... Working knowledge and experience in 3D and Animation. Working knowledge of UI/UX Design Tools such ...

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Director Gaming Animation information

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$11K

$172.5K

How much do director gaming animation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director gaming animation in the United States is $171,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $171,000.00 and $171,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director gaming animation do?

A Director of Gaming Animation leads the animation team in creating dynamic and engaging visuals for video games. They are responsible for setting the artistic vision, overseeing animation pipelines, and ensuring characters, environments, and effects move fluidly and realistically. The director collaborates closely with other departments such as game design, art, and programming to achieve a cohesive look and feel. They also mentor animators, review work, and help resolve technical or creative challenges throughout production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director gaming animation?

To thrive as a Director of Gaming Animation, you need expertise in animation principles, team leadership, and a background in computer graphics or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and industry experience. Mastery of animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, and game engines like Unreal or Unity, along with familiarity with motion capture technology, is typically required. Outstanding creative vision, communication, and project management skills help inspire teams and ensure cohesive storytelling. These competencies are vital for delivering visually compelling, high-quality animations that enhance gameplay and meet production deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by a director gaming animation, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Gaming Animation often faces challenges such as aligning creative vision across diverse teams, managing tight production schedules, and ensuring high-quality output within technical constraints. To address these, strong communication and leadership skills are essential for bridging gaps between animators, game designers, and programmers. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest animation tools and industry trends helps maintain efficiency and innovation. Regular team check-ins and clear project milestones can also help keep everyone on track and motivated.
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Director Gaming Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Gaming Animation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,000 per year, or $82.2 per hour.

Lead Animator

31st Union

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Who We are:
We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.
What We Need:
We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback, mentoring team members, and contributing to the overall quality and success of the team's output. In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers, engineers, animators, and other cross-functional partners to bring creative ideas and gameplay experiences to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay.
  • Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints.
  • Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal.
  • Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning.
  • Develop quick animation prototypes for new gameplay features, such as combat abilities, character actions, or animatic sequences.
  • Help define, maintain, and elevate the animation style and quality bar by creating clear examples, documenting standards, and sharing best practices with the team.
  • Provide regular feedback in partnership with the Animation Director, mentoring animators, onboarding and developing team members, and serving as a trusted resource for creative guidance and support.
  • Interpret and translate direction from directors and creative leads into clear, actionable animation goals.
  • Help to organize and assign sub-team tasks based on individual strengths and project deadlines, assisting the Director in creating realistic timelines that balance delivery with team growth.
  • Partner with Technical Animation to explore and refine locomotion and overall character motion, ensuring the smoothest and most polished player experience possible.
  • Collaborate closely with Production on roadmap planning, task estimation, and risk assessment, while balancing competing priorities and adjusting workflows to accommodate evolving project requirements.
  • Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed.
What Will Make You a Great Fit:
  • 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one shipped AAA title in an animation role.
  • 2-4+ years of experience in a leadership role and/or mentoring experience.
  • Familiar with Unreal Engine, including animation systems, asset integration, and runtime considerations, with advanced knowledge of Maya.
  • Nimble and able to prioritize and problem-solve quickly, while responding effectively to creative redirection.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills within and across fields, with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
  • An animation reel that demonstrates high-quality hand-keyed animation.
  • Experience working with Perforce and managing assets in large-scale, multi-team environments.
Bonus Qualifications:
  • Experience leveraging Google Sheets/Excel to organize asset inventories, monitor production status, and facilitate coordination and visibility across departments.
  • Experience creating cinematic sequences, character performances, and story-driven animation that enhances narrative and emotional impact.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 and $182,360 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.
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