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Full Time Animator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Principal Gameplay Animator

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Summary We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation ... Description * Full-time job with benefits. * Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. * Office is ...

Absurd Ventures

Principal Gameplay Animator

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Summary We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation ... Description * Full-time job with benefits. * Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. * Office is ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Koto

Senior Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role You are an experienced animator and motion designer, relentlessly bringing ideas to life ... Full-time

Gamma

UI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$122K - $163K/yr

Experience with animation libraries or visual editing tools (Nice to have) Compensation range: The base salary for this full-time position, which spans multiple internal levels depending on ...

VIZ Media

Content Specialist (Animation)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$72K - $85K/yr

... comics and animation), is looking for a Specialist to join our Content team. The Specialist ... This is a Regular Full-Time position (40 hours per week) with core hours of 10 am to 4 pm with some ...

TrueShort

AI Filmmaker

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Passion for filmmaking, animation, internet culture, and emerging creative technology Compensation & Details * Contract Role * Potential for long-term employment or full-time role * $1,000-$2,000 per ...

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All JobsAnimator JobsFull Time Animator JobsFull Time Animator Jobs in California

Full Time Animator information

What are some common challenges full time animators face when working on large projects, and how can they be managed?

Full-time animators working on large projects often face challenges such as tight deadlines, frequent revisions, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Managing these challenges requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and efficient time management. Animators can benefit from using project management tools, regularly syncing with teammates, and staying open to feedback to ensure their contributions align with the project's vision and timelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time animator?

To thrive as a Full Time Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of animation principles, and often a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, or Autodesk Maya is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help animators bring stories to life and work effectively within production teams. These skills are essential for producing high-quality animations that meet client or project goals and stand out in a competitive industry.

What does a full time animator do?

A full time animator creates moving images and visual effects for various media, such as films, television, video games, and online content. They use specialized software to bring characters, objects, and scenes to life by designing sequences of images that simulate movement. Animators often collaborate with directors, designers, and other artists throughout the production process to ensure the final product meets creative vision and project requirements.

What is the difference between Full Time Animator vs Part Time Animator?

AspectFull Time AnimatorPart Time Animator
Work HoursTypically 35-40 hours per weekLess than 20 hours per week
Employment StatusFull-time employment with benefitsPart-time, often without benefits
CredentialsUsually requires a portfolio, relevant degree, and experienceSimilar credentials but may require less experience
Work EnvironmentFull-time studio or office settingFlexible, remote, or freelance settings

Full Time Animators work regular hours with benefits and are employed by companies, while Part Time Animators have flexible schedules, often freelance or remote, with fewer benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but the employment structure differs significantly.

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

The most popular types of Animator jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Full Time Animator jobs in California?

For Full Time Animator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Full Time Animator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Full Time Animator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Full Time Animator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Full Time Animator job openings:

Full Time Animator jobs near you

Principal Gameplay Animator

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Summary
We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation quality, style, and feel of our AAA open world action-adventure game. As a creative and technical contributor, you will create exceptional gameplay animations, establish animation standards, and partner closely with Design, Engineering, Art, and Narrative teams to ensure that our animations are fluid, realistic, and enhance the overall gameplay.
This role combines hands-on animation development with leadership through craft. You will be expected to solve complex gameplay animation challenges, mentor other animators, influence animation pipelines and workflows, and help shape the overall player experience through world-class character performance and movement.
Core Responsibilities
  • Create high-quality gameplay animations that establish the visual and gameplay standard for all characters, creatures, and object animations.
  • Drive the development of locomotion, traversal, combat, interaction, and systemic animation content; review animation content and help maintain consistent quality and artistic direction across all gameplay features.
  • Collaborate with the Animation Director to define the animation style and direction.
  • Partner with Design and Engineering teams to implement animation systems that enhance gameplay feel, responsiveness, and player immersion.
  • Work closely with Technical Animation to improve pipelines, tools, and workflows.
  • Help establish efficient workflows that balance visual quality, gameplay requirements, and technical constraints.
  • Provide feedback and mentorship to other animators.
  • Ensure animations meet performance and memory constraints for different platforms.
  • Partner with outsource and co-development teams to review deliverables and ensure quality standards are met.
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in animation.

Core Qualifications
  • 7+ years of experience in animation within the video game industry.
  • Proficiency in Maya and other industry-standard animation tools.
  • Multiple shipped AAA titles in a gameplay animation role.
  • Strong understanding of Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Control Rig, and Motion Matching workflows.
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, motion, and weight in animation.
  • Experience with both keyframe animation and motion capture techniques.
  • Proven track record of leading animation teams and delivering high-quality content.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and communicate effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities with a balance of artistic vision and technical execution.
  • Self-motivated, organized, and able to drive complex initiatives with minimal oversight.

Plus if...
  • Experience developing animation systems AAA titles or games with a focus on realistic animation.
  • Experience with creature animation and complex character rigs.
  • Deep knowledge of traversal and combat animation.
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, and physics-driven systems.
  • Experience building or improving animation pipelines and tools.
  • Experience working with external vendors and co-development partners.
  • Passion for open world gameplay, player expression, and immersive character performance.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.

The base pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

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