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Entry Level 3D Character Animator Jobs in California

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ...

Character Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

3D Character & Creature Artist - Remote - Revenue Share 3MetaD is looking for a Digital Artist / 3D ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Character Artist

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

3D Character & Creature Artist - Remote - Revenue Share 3MetaD is looking for a Digital Artist / 3D ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Character Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

3D Character & Creature Artist - Remote - Revenue Share 3MetaD is looking for a Digital Artist / 3D ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Character Artist

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

3D Character & Creature Artist - Remote - Revenue Share 3MetaD is looking for a Digital Artist / 3D ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

Senior Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Exemplary skills in keyframe stylized 3D animation. Exceptional knowledge of how to create and ... A very strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and silhouette in regard to ...

Senior Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Exemplary skills in keyframe stylized 3D animation. Exceptional knowledge of how to create and ... A very strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and silhouette in regard to ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

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 ...

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 ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

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 ...

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Entry Level 3D Character Animator information

What is the difference between Entry Level 3D Character Animator vs Junior 3D Modeler?

AspectEntry Level 3D Character AnimatorJunior 3D Modeler
Required SkillsAnimation, rigging, basic scriptingModeling, texturing, UV mapping
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, gaming, filmModeling studios, gaming, visualization
Common CertificationsPortfolio, basic animation coursesPortfolio, 3D modeling courses

While both roles require 3D skills, the Entry Level 3D Character Animator focuses on bringing characters to life through animation, whereas the Junior 3D Modeler specializes in creating and texturing 3D models. Both positions often overlap in industry settings like gaming and film, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Animator jobs in California?

The most popular types of 3D Character Animator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level 3D Character Animator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level 3D Character Animator job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level 3D Character Animator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Part Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

3D Animator (Short Term)

Roblox

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement. You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform-specifically basic ability and locomotion sets that bring avatars to life with polish and personality.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to core Roblox avatar experiences used by millions of players worldwide.

You Will:
  • Create and refine a suite of standard locomotion and ability animations, including:
    • Idle poses (variations for personality/stance)
    • Walk, run, sprint cycles
    • Jump, land, fall animations
    • Other basic movement/ability actions as needed
  • Deliver clean, weighty, and expressive animations optimized for Roblox's avatar system (R15 preferred)
  • Iterate quickly based on feedback from animation leads, designers, and engineers
  • Export animations properly for Roblox Studio integration (using compatible formats and best practices)
  • Use SyncSketch (or similar) for review and approval workflows
You Have:
  • Strong experience in character animation, with a focus on creating believable, game-ready locomotion and action animations
  • Excellent acting skills through motion-conveying emotion, weight, timing, and personality in movement
  • Proficiency in FACS-based facial animation (Facial Action Coding System) or equivalent high-quality facial rigging/expression work
  • Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation production and Tools
  • Familiarity with SyncSketch (or comparable online review/approval tools)
  • Proven track record creating animations for video games (mobile, PC, or console experience a plus)
  • Strong sense of timing, weight, anticipation, follow-through, and polish in game animation principles