Freelance Motion Capture Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Junior Motion Capture Specialist to join our expanding team at our Boston hub. This is a foundational role established during an exciting period of growth, as we continue to build and refine the motion capture infrastructure for our highly anticipated upcoming projects.

This position is embedded within the Shared Development Services (SDS) group—a collaborative, cross-studio collective of technical and creative experts supporting multiple major productions simultaneously. In this hands‑on role, you will be deeply involved in the entire lifecycle of motion capture, spanning from meticulous session preparation and studio management to highly technical post‑processing workflows. Furthermore, you will actively support senior team members in enhancing our optical stages, tracking systems, and proprietary toolsets.

This role offers an exceptional entry point into high‑end AAA game development, providing you with direct mentorship, exposure to industry‑leading pipelines, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the realism and cinematic quality of our character animations.

As a Junior Motion Capture Specialist, your daily responsibilities will span across production assistance, technical data processing, studio maintenance, and collaborative pipeline development.

• Assist in all phases of a motion capture shoot, including system calibration, marker placement (body and facial), and prop setup.
• Help manage talent on stage, ensuring markers and specialized gear remain secure, properly aligned, and functional throughout production sessions.
• Collaborate with directors, animators, and internal production clients to facilitate seamless, highly efficient motion capture shoots that meet specific artistic and technical requirements.
• Safely handle, package, and transport specialized equipment for off‑site or mobile motion capture setups, utilizing company‑provided support and accommodations when traveling.

• Clean, track, and solve raw motion capture data, ensuring the highest level of fidelity and accuracy before it enters the animation pipeline.
• Execute retargeting workflows to transfer captured data precisely onto diverse in‑game character rigs and skeletons.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve common data anomalies, such as marker occlusions, swap errors, and skeletal jitter.
• Organize, catalog, and archive captured assets within the studio’s digital asset management systems to maintain a clean, navigable data library.

• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of motion capture hardware, including optical cameras, reference cameras, head‑mounted camera (HMC) systems, and synchronization hardware.
• Monitor studio inventory, ensuring that consumables (e.g., marker tape, adhesive, velcro, batteries) are adequately stocked and that hardware is stored securely.
• Assist in physical stage modifications, including adjusting camera angles, tuning lighting setups, and optimizing the physical volume space for maximum coverage.

• Work alongside senior technical specialists to identify bottlenecks in the current data pipeline and suggest actionable solutions.
• Explore, test, and evaluate emerging motion capture technologies, software updates, and hardware innovations to help keep CD PROJEKT RED at the cutting edge of performance capture.

The ideal candidate possesses a foundational understanding of motion capture methodologies and a passion for refining the technical processes that bring virtual characters to life.

• Production Experience: 1+ years of professional experience operating within a motion capture environment, explicitly contributing to shoots for video games, feature films, VFX, or high‑end commercial productions.
• Software Proficiency: Hands‑on experience operating industry‑standard motion capture software, such as Vicon Shogun, Vicon Blade, OptiTrack Motive, Cortex, or Giant (strong preference given to candidates with professional Shogun or Blade experience).
• Volume Management: Demonstrated experience assisting with the physical setup, calibration, and refinement of an optical motion capture volume.
• Soft Skills & Mindset: An open, collaborative mindset with an eagerness to learn, accept constructive feedback, and proactively share knowledge with team members across different disciplines.

Please note that the following skills are highly valued but are not strict prerequisites for application.

• Engine Familiarity: Experience integrating, testing, or retargeting motion capture data directly within Unreal Engine.
• Facial Capture: Prior exposure to Head‑Mounted Camera (HMC) technologies and facial performance capture workflows.
• Animation Fundamentals: A foundational knowledge of Autodesk MotionBuilder for data editing, rigging alignment, and animation cleanup.

• Estimated Base Salary: $62,300 – $92,400 USD annually.
• Compensation Philosophy: At CD PROJEKT RED, base pay ranges are determined utilizing competitive market data, localized geographic factors, and individual qualifications tied directly to business needs. Final offers are tailored based on relevant experience, technical expertise, and alignment with the role’s requirements.
• Working Mode: This role requires being based in the Boston, MA area, operating out of our physical studio hub in a hybrid or full‑time on‑site capacity.

We believe that our team members do their best work when they are healthy, supported, and balanced. To ensure a thriving workplace, we offer a premier array of benefits designed to support your physical, mental, and financial well‑being.

• Premium Healthcare: Fully company‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind for you and your eligible dependents.
• Mental Health Ecosystem: Comprehensive, confidential, and free mental health support, including direct access to professional counseling, psychiatric care, and regular wellness webinars.
• Menstrual Leave: We provide progressive workplace policies, including one extra paid day off per month for employees experiencing severe menstrual or period pain.

• Generous Paid Leave: Recharge and rest with 26 days of paid vacation, 10 sick days, and 12 calendar holidays per year.
• Flexible Working Hours: Core hours designed to give you autonomy over your schedule, helping you balance professional commitments with personal life.
• RED Parents Network: A dedicated internal resource and support system designed to help working parents thrive both at home and at the studio.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Secure your future with an employer‑matched retirement savings plan.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA): A $100 monthly stipend allocated for wellness‑related expenses, including fitness memberships, internet bills, home office ergonomics, continuous learning, streaming services, and more.
• Welcome Pack: A curated package of high‑quality company merchandise and tools to help you feel like an integral part of the team from day one.

• Continuous Learning: Expand your skillset via internal workshops, structured knowledge‑sharing initiatives, technical lectures, online tutorials, and funded e‑learning platforms.
• Dog‑Friendly Office: Bring your canine companion to work! Our studio space is fully dog‑friendly, offering a warm environment where you will always spot a furry friend.
• Inclusive & Casual Culture: Work within a truly international, diverse environment alongside creators from across the globe. We maintain a strict “no dress‑code” policy—come as you are and dress comfortably.

CD PROJEKT RED is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful recruitment and workplace environment. If you observe any irregularities, legal violations, or ethical concerns at any stage of our recruitment process, please utilize our anonymous reporting system by clicking the designated link on our careers page.