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Full Time Gameplay Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$115.20K - $131.50K/yr

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our ... Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity. Health & Well-being * Company paid ...

ZeniMax Media

Creature Animator (Outsourcing)

Rockville, MD · On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

Consistently integrate and maintain your work in the game * Have opportunities to animate creatures directly, while not being solely focused on hands-on animation full-time Qualifications What Makes ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108.90K - $161.16K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

31st Union

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108.90K - $161.16K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Holospark

Work directly with game designers, animators, and other engineers to deliver state-of-the-art ... FULL_TIME

Templar Media

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$125.90K - $139.60K/yr

Solid understanding of 3D math, physics, animation integration, and player systems. * Proven ... This position is full-time onsite/remote at our studio in Alpharetta, GA.

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How much do full time gameplay animator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time gameplay 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time Gameplay Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Gameplay Animator, you need a solid foundation in character animation principles, a relevant degree or equivalent experience, and a strong portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Maya, MotionBuilder, Unreal Engine, and experience with rigging and motion capture systems are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication are vital soft skills that help animators bring characters and actions to life while working within a team. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality, immersive gameplay experiences that meet both artistic and technical standards.

How does a Full Time Gameplay Animator typically collaborate with game designers and programmers throughout a project?

As a Full Time Gameplay Animator, you'll work closely with game designers to understand the vision for character movement and gameplay mechanics. You'll also collaborate frequently with programmers to integrate your animations into the game engine, ensuring smooth transitions and responsiveness. Regular meetings and iterative feedback sessions are common, allowing for adjustments that improve both visual quality and gameplay feel. This collaborative environment helps ensure that animations support and enhance the overall player experience.

What are Full Time Gameplay Animators?

Full Time Gameplay Animators are professionals in the video game industry who specialize in creating and implementing character and object animations that respond dynamically to player input. They work closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to ensure that movement, actions, and interactions are smooth, realistic, and engaging. Their role involves both artistic and technical skills, using animation software and game engines to bring life to characters and environments. Full time gameplay animators are typically employed by game studios and work on projects from early development through to final polish.

What is the difference between Full Time Gameplay Animator vs Character Animator?

AspectFull Time Gameplay AnimatorCharacter Animator
Required SkillsAnimation, game engines, scripting basicsAnimation, character rigging, motion capture
Work EnvironmentVideo game studios, interactive mediaAnimation studios, film, TV, gaming
Industry UsagePrimarily in game developmentFilm, TV, gaming, advertising

While both roles involve animation skills, a Full Time Gameplay Animator specializes in creating animated sequences for interactive gameplay within video games, focusing on character movement and mechanics. A Character Animator, on the other hand, often works on bringing characters to life in films, TV, or cutscenes, emphasizing realistic or stylized character performances. The roles overlap in animation techniques but differ in application and environment.

What cities are hiring for Full Time Gameplay Animator jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Gameplay Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Animator jobs? The most popular types of Gameplay Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time Gameplay Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Gameplay Animator jobs include:
Full Time Gameplay Animator jobs near you

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, MA • On-site

$115.20K - $131.50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Company Description
To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers - this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company's culture? Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel and Beyond the Game Blog where we share behind-the-scenes insights and stories direct from our team members!
Job Description
CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game.
As a hands-on individual contributor, you will define the look and feel of player and NPC locomotion-from grounded movement to cybernetically motivated actions-for a high-quality animation experience. You will work from previsualization and prototyping through final in-engine implementation, collaborating with Art, Design, Technical Animation, and Engineering. Your goal will be to ensure animation content and runtime systems deliver a responsive, readable, and compelling player experience, setting the quality bar and best practices for locomotion animation across gameplay.
Daily Responsibilities:
  • Drive locomotion animation quality for player and NPC movement across gameplay states and contexts.
  • Partner with the Animation Lead and key stakeholders to align animation quality, style, and execution with the project's aesthetic goals, gameplay pillars, and overall player experience.
  • Collaborate daily within a cross-disciplinary team to define gameplay experiential goals and deliver features from concept through final implementation.
  • Create pre-visualizations and prototypes to assist in communication and development.
  • Create high-quality finished animation using hand-keyed, procedurally generated animation, and motion capture techniques to achieve seamless, expressive, reactive movement.
  • Implement and iterate within Unreal Engine to ensure locomotion animation feels responsive, readable, and polished in real-time gameplay.
  • Research, explore and advocate new techniques, systems, and workflows to improve animation quality, efficiency, and support evolving gameplay and previsualization needs.
  • Curate motion capture shot list and provide performance direction, preparing locomotion patterns and reference videos, and assisting on-stage as necessary.
  • Provide clear feedback and animation insight during reviews and collaborations, helping raise quality.
  • Provide mentorship, inspiration, and support to early-career animators through feedback, collaboration, and example.

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of professional experience in gameplay animation development with major contributions to player locomotion.
  • Experience on a shipped title with extensive 3Cs mechanics.
  • Professional experience developing animation for locomotion in Unreal Engine (or comparable engines), including Animation Blueprints, state machines, animation montages, blend spaces, motion matching, Control Rig, and runtime animation behaviors.
  • Proficient in 3D animation skills using Maya, MotionBuilder, or equivalent DCC tools.
  • Solid animation fundamentals, including weight, timing, posing, and clarity.
  • Ability to author hand-keyed animation and motion capture into compelling performances, refining motion capture to support gameplay dynamics while maintaining the integrity of the source.
  • Deep understanding of body mechanics and physics as they relate to believable character movement and locomotion.
  • Ability to deliver work in accordance with the artistic direction of the project.

Nice to Have:
  • Experience directing motion capture, particularly for motion matching.
  • Experience developing motion-matching locomotion systems.

Candidates should include a portfolio in their application.
Additional Information
The application window for this position will close by 07/30/2026.
This job requires working in Boston, US.
Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.
Health & Well-being
  • Company paid medical healthcare (dental vision & mental health included).
  • Paid leave - 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
  • No dress-code - we like to keep it casual.
  • 401K with employer matching.
  • Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) - $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
  • Menstrual Leave.

Perks & Professional Growth
  • Flexible working hours.
  • Trainings, lectures and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There's always something to learn!
  • Merch - regular chances to nab some cool swag!
  • Access to the cafeteria platform.
  • A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office
  • Dog-friendly office - dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There's always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.
  • Truly international working environment - a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.

This position is a new role.
Estimated pay range for this position: $95,000 - $174,000 USD annually
At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.
If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.
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Videos To Watch
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