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Full Time Technical Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobgether

$100K - $131K/yr

Collaborate with animation leadership and Technical Art to improve tools, technology ... Benefits * Full-time opportunity within a globally distributed, remote team. * Opportunity to ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... 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

Translate strategy into thoughtful motion-balancing big creative ideas with technical precision and ... Full-time

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization ... Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization ... Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization ... Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including ...

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Full Time Technical Animator information

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

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time technical 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 full time technical animator?

Full Time Technical Animators are professionals who bridge the gap between art and technology in game development, film, and animation industries. They work on creating, rigging, and optimizing character models and animations, ensuring they move realistically and efficiently in digital environments. Technical Animators also collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and programmers to develop tools, troubleshoot animation issues, and implement animation systems. Their role is essential in bringing lifelike movement and interactivity to digital characters and assets.

How does a full time technical animator typically collaborate with other departments in a game development studio?

A Full Time Technical Animator works closely with both the animation and engineering teams to ensure that character and object animations function smoothly in the game engine. This role often serves as a bridge, translating artistic vision into technical implementation by developing animation rigs, solving technical issues, and optimizing animation assets. Regular communication with artists, programmers, and designers is essential to maintain consistency and address any integration challenges, making teamwork and adaptability key components of the job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time technical animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Technical Animator, you need a strong background in animation principles, rigging, and scripting, often supported by a degree in computer animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Python scripting, and game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity is essential. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills help you bridge creative and technical teams. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality, efficient animation pipelines and ensuring seamless integration of assets into interactive projects.

What is the difference between Full Time Technical Animator vs 3D Animator?

AspectFull Time Technical Animator3D Animator
Required SkillsRigging, scripting, technical problem-solvingModeling, texturing, animation
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation houses, VFX companiesFilm, game, and advertising industries
Common CertificationsTechnical certifications in animation software, scriptingAnimation degrees, portfolio showcase

Full Time Technical Animators focus on the technical aspects of animation, such as rigging and scripting, often working closely with programmers. 3D Animators primarily create animated sequences, emphasizing artistic skills. Both roles are vital in the animation pipeline but differ in technical depth and creative focus.

Are full time technical animators in demand?

Full-time technical animators are in demand due to the growth of the gaming, film, and virtual reality industries, which require skilled professionals to develop complex animations and tools. Strong knowledge of animation software, scripting, and programming languages like Python or C++ enhances job prospects in this field.

What cities are hiring for Full Time Technical Animator jobs?

Cities with the most Full Time Technical Animator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Animator jobs?

The most popular types of Technical Animator jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Technical Animator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Full Time Technical Animator jobs include:

Full Time Technical Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Technical Animator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Principal Gameplay Animator

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 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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