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Full Time Video Game Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Principal Gameplay Animator

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Core Qualifications * 7+ years of experience in animation within the video game industry ... 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

Core Qualifications * 7+ years of experience in animation within the video game industry ... Description * Full-time job with benefits. * Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. * Office is ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... game engines as they pertain to video game animation. * Experience structuring & maintaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... game engines as they pertain to video game animation. * Experience structuring & maintaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... game engines as they pertain to video game animation. * Experience structuring & maintaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... game engines as they pertain to video game animation. * Experience structuring & maintaining ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

Proven track record creating animations for video games (mobile, PC, or console experience a plus) * Strong sense of timing, weight, anticipation, follow-through, and polish in game animation ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

Proven track record creating animations for video games (mobile, PC, or console experience a plus) * Strong sense of timing, weight, anticipation, follow-through, and polish in game animation ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement ... 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

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement ... 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

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement ... 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

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

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All JobsVideo Game Animator JobsFull Time Video Game Animator Jobs

Full Time Video Game Animator information

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$39

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How much do full time video game animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time video game 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 does a full time video game animator do?

A full time video game animator creates the movement and behavior of characters, creatures, and objects in video games. They use specialized animation software to bring digital assets to life, ensuring smooth and realistic motion that enhances gameplay and storytelling. Animators collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to achieve the desired visual effects and maintain consistency with the game's style. Their work is crucial in making games immersive and engaging for players.

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

To thrive as a Full Time Video Game Animator, you need strong skills in character animation, knowledge of animation principles, and a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, and experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities ensure the creation of compelling, lifelike animations that enhance gameplay and provide engaging player experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by full time video game animators, and how can they be addressed?

Full-time video game animators often face challenges such as meeting tight production deadlines, adapting to evolving project requirements, and collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams. Balancing creativity with technical constraints, such as polygon counts or frame rate limitations, can also be demanding. To address these challenges, animators benefit from strong communication skills, effective time management, and a willingness to learn new software or techniques as technology evolves. Regular feedback sessions and close collaboration with designers, programmers, and artists help ensure animations fit seamlessly into the game's vision and mechanics.

What is the difference between Full Time Video Game Animator vs 3D Character Modeler?

AspectFull Time Video Game Animator3D Character Modeler
Required SkillsAnimation principles, rigging, motion captureModeling, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation departmentsModeling studios, game development teams
Common CertificationsAnimation software certifications (Maya, Blender)3D modeling software certifications (3ds Max, ZBrush)
Industry UsageCreating character movements and effectsBuilding character models for games

The main difference between a Full Time Video Game Animator and a 3D Character Modeler lies in their focus: animators bring characters to life through movement, while modelers create the visual models. Both roles often collaborate within game development teams and require similar software skills, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

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The most popular types of Video Game Animator jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Video Game Animator jobs?

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

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Full Time Video Game Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Video Game Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% 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 13 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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