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Flexible Motion Capture Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Big Shot Pictures Big Shot Pictures is a next generation animation company founded by Brian ... This role focuses on heavy iteration with augmented motion capture, shaping raw performance data ...

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA ยท On-site +1

$115K - $131K/yr

Curate motion capture shot list and provide performance direction, preparing locomotion patterns ... Flexible working hours. * Trainings, lectures and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing ...

Import, retarget, clean, and optimize motion-capture data for real-time playback in Unreal Engine. * Design, build, and maintain animation rigs and Control Rigs for MetaHuman and Unreal-based ...

Technical Animator

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$45 - $46/hr

Import, retarget, clean, and optimize motion-capture data for real-time playback in Unreal Engine. * Design, build, and maintain animation rigs and Control Rigs for MetaHuman and Unreal-based ...

Import, retarget, clean, and optimize motion-capture data for real-time playback in Unreal Engine. * Design, build, and maintain animation rigs and Control Rigs for MetaHuman and Unreal-based ...

Posted today

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA ยท On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Use motion capture, video, and thumbnail sketches as reference for your process * Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level * Provide ...

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA ยท On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Use motion capture, video, and thumbnail sketches as reference for your process * Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level * Provide ...

Edit Motion Capture data to blend detailed character movement/facial with keyframe skills. * Work with the Lead Animator and other team members to help evolve our tools and pipeline. * Maintain the ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism. * Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism. * Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism. * Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

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Flexible Motion Capture Animator information

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How much do flexible motion capture animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for flexible motion capture 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 flexible motion capture animator?

A Flexible Motion Capture Animator is a professional who specializes in capturing and translating real-world human or creature movements into digital animations using motion capture technology. The 'flexible' aspect refers to their ability to adapt to various projects, platforms, and animation styles, often working on a freelance or contract basis. They collaborate with directors, actors, and technical teams to ensure that the captured motion data accurately enhances characters in films, video games, virtual reality, and other digital media. Their skills combine technical expertise with artistic sensibility to create lifelike and dynamic animations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flexible motion capture animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flexible Motion Capture Animator, you need strong skills in 3D animation, character rigging, and an understanding of human kinetics, typically supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency with motion capture systems like Vicon or OptiTrack, and animation software such as Maya or MotionBuilder, is essential. Creativity, adaptability, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial for producing realistic animations, efficiently handling evolving project demands, and working seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Flexible Motion Capture Animator vs Character Rigger?

AspectFlexible Motion Capture AnimatorCharacter Rigger
Required CredentialsAnimation or Motion Capture certifications, relevant degrees3D modeling, rigging, and animation certifications or degrees
Work EnvironmentMotion capture studios, animation departmentsVFX and animation studios, game development
Industry UsageFilm, gaming, VR projects involving motion captureCharacter setup and deformation for animation
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Flexible Motion Capture Animators focus on applying motion capture data to animate characters, often working with motion capture technology and software. Character Riggers create the underlying skeletons and rigs that allow characters to move and be animated. While both roles are essential in character animation pipelines, the Motion Capture Animator specializes in capturing and applying real-world movements, whereas the Rigger designs the structural setup for animation flexibility.

How does a flexible motion capture animator typically collaborate with directors and other animators during a project?

Flexible Motion Capture Animators work closely with directors to understand the creative vision and specific performance requirements for each scene. They also coordinate with other animators and technical artists to ensure the captured motion data integrates seamlessly into digital models, adjusting and refining animations based on feedback. Regular team meetings, review sessions, and collaborative problem-solving are common, as the role often requires adapting to evolving project needs and incorporating input from multiple departments to achieve high-quality results.
More about Flexible Motion Capture Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Flexible Motion Capture Animator jobs? Cities with the most Flexible Motion Capture Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Capture Animator jobs? The most popular types of Motion Capture Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Flexible Motion Capture Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Flexible Motion Capture Animator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Flexible Motion Capture Animator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% As Needed, 9% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Contract, 7% Nights, and 26% Summer. Highlights an 77% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Mocap Animator

Big Shot Pictures

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

About Big Shot Pictures

Big Shot Pictures is a next generation animation company founded by Brian Robbins that produces the franchises of tomorrow. With a distinctive digital-first approach, the company builds global animation franchises across all platforms โ€“ from digital to theatrical, gaming to streaming, and consumer products to experiences.


About The Role

We're looking for a hands-on Mocap Animator to join our team and own the production of short-form animated kids and family content for social media. This role focuses on heavy iteration with augmented motion capture, shaping raw performance data into stylized characters that feel alive.


This role sits at the intersection of motion capture, performance, and stylized real-time animation. You'll work primarily in Unreal Engine, processing mocap data and animating characters to produce polished, on-brand clips at a rapid pace.


You'll be an integrated member of a small, dedicated social content team while also collaborating closely with our larger animation production team.


This is a contract role which would report in-person at our studio in Los Angeles


Responsibilities

  • Animate stylized characters for short-form social content with quick turnarounds for vertical format delivery
  • Process, clean, and retarget motion capture data for use in Unreal Engine
  • Stay current with up-to-date tools native to Unreal Engine, including Motion Capture, Retargeting, and Sequencer
  • Utilize generative tooling where appropriate to achieve clean output systems at scale
  • Collaborate closely with creative leads and the broader animation production team to translate concepts into finished animated clips efficiently
  • Troubleshoot and problem-solve pipeline issues independently
  • Iterate rapidly based on feedback without losing quality


Required Qualifications

  • Strong animation fundamentals: you understand timing, weight, and performance even when working from mocap
  • Hands-on experience with motion capture workflows: capture session prep, data cleanup, retargeting, and integration
  • Familiarity with third-party markerless motion capture systems, such as Captury or MoveAI
  • Comfortable working at social media pace: fast cycles, short formats, high output, vertical format
  • Experience with outside-the-box hybrid workflow systems
  • Able to work across the full chain from capture to final render without hand-holding
  • Self-directed and resourceful: you can identify what's broken and fix it


Nice to Have

  • Experience working with Blender
  • Rigging experience within Unreal Engine (Control Rig proficiency a plus)
  • Background in or exposure to CG animation pipelines for episodic or series content
  • Background or understanding of social media content (Tik Tok, Instagram, Youtube)