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Facial Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Swaybox Studios

CG Animator

New Orleans, LA

We are seeking a skilled 3D Facial Animator with a proven background in film to join our creative team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience creating expressive and realistic facial and ...

Swaybox Studios

CG Animator

New Orleans, LA · On-site

We are seeking a skilled 3D Facial Animator with a proven background in film to join our creative team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience creating expressive and realistic facial and ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Technical Animator - Temp

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

Work directly with Programming, Animation, and Design to prototype and deliver excellent combat, character locomotion and movement mechanics, facial animation, and other new game features to deliver ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue. * Create high-quality, keyframe Character Animation. * Develop the timing ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129.80K - $148.10K/yr

Excellent hand-keyed facial animation * Motionbuilder and Unreal Engine experience * First-person animations experience * strong design eye * Strong knowledge of cinematography, editing, and story ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129.80K - $148.10K/yr

Excellent hand-keyed facial animation * Motionbuilder and Unreal Engine experience * First-person animations experience * strong design eye * Strong knowledge of cinematography, editing, and story ...

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How much do facial animator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for facial 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 is a Facial Animator job?

A Facial Animator is responsible for creating expressive and realistic facial movements for characters in animation, film, television, and video games. They use specialized software to animate subtle emotions, speech, and reactions that enhance the believability of characters. These animators work closely with character artists, riggers, and directors to ensure facial animations align with the overall vision. Strong knowledge of anatomy, motion principles, and lip-syncing techniques is essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Facial Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Facial Animator, you need strong artistic skills in human anatomy and expression, a background in animation or visual effects, and often a relevant degree such as in animation, fine arts, or computer graphics. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Maya, Blender, and facial motion capture systems is essential, and certifications or formal training in these platforms are highly valued. Attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication skills set exceptional facial animators apart. These skills ensure the creation of realistic, emotionally resonant characters and seamless teamwork within dynamic production environments.

What does a typical workday look like for a Facial Animator in a studio setting?

A typical day for a Facial Animator often begins with team meetings to review assignments and discuss project progress with animation supervisors and other team members. You’ll spend a significant portion of your day working in specialized animation software, refining facial expressions, syncing lip movements to dialogue, and troubleshooting any technical issues that arise. Collaboration is key, as you often review your work with art directors, character modelers, and other animators to ensure consistency and meet creative goals. Balancing creative challenges with tight deadlines is common, but this fast-paced environment provides valuable opportunities to develop your skills and contribute to high-profile projects.
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Facial Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Facial Animator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Part Time, and 67% Temporary. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

CG Animator

Swaybox Studios

New Orleans, LA

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Location: New Orleans, LA 
Job Type: Full-Time | In House

*This is not a remote or hybrid position. It is in house in New Orleans*

Job Description:

We are seeking a skilled 3D Facial Animator with a proven background in film to join our creative team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience creating expressive and realistic facial and body animation that brings characters to life. This role requires strong keyframing abilities, with experience working with facial mocap data as part of a performance-driven pipeline.

You will collaborate closely with the animation team, character designers, and director to ensure that performances align with the storytelling vision.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Integrate and refine facial mocap data to achieve hyper-realistic performance when required
  • Primarily to create high-quality keyframed 3D facial animations for characters in film, focusing on nuance and emotional expression
  • Secondarily to create realistic biped body animation
  • Work closely with the director and character designers to understand the intended performance and character aesthetic
  • Utilize Maya to produce animations that meet project specifications and deadlines.
  • Revise and refine animations based on feedback from the director and animation team to achieve the desired results
  • Maintain organized files and documentation of animation processes for project consistency
  • Stay current with the latest trends and techniques in facial animation and character performance.

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a 3D Animator in film or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing your work
  • Experience working with hyper-realistic facial mocap data and refining captured performances
  • Strong keyframe animation skills, particularly in facial performance and emotional storytelling
  • Proficiency in Maya
  • Strong knowledge of animation principles and an eye for detail in character expressions and movements
  • Ability to interpret character emotions and storylines through animation
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Nice to Haves:

  • Understanding of anatomy and how it influences facial and body movement.
  • Experience in creating acting reference for animation performances

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