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Full Time Video Game Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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Full Time Video Game Animator information

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

As of Jun 9, 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 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.

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 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 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.
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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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Technical Animator - Remote or On Site

Technical Animator - Remote or On Site

Studio Wildcard

Redmond, WA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Studio Wildcard

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us buildARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.

And now we're searching for an exceptionally talented and passionate Technical Artist who can create high-impact work for the expanding ARK franchise.


Responsibilities

  • Create sophisticated IK solutions (foot placement, terrain adaptation) in Unreal Engine Control Rig and Anim Blueprints
  • Rig human characters, dinosaurs, and fantasy creatures with precise attention to anatomy, understanding joint placement and muscle deformation
  • Design and implement advanced procedural and gameplay-driven animation systems using Animation Blueprints (AnimBPs) in Unreal Engine 5
  • Build responsive state machines, blend spaces, pose drivers, animation modifiers, notifies, and layered logic tightly coupled to gameplay and physics
  • Develop physics-based animation systems including active ragdoll blending
  • Leverage Houdini to procedurally modify, generate, or optimize meshes and skeletons (e.g., procedural bone/joint chain creation based on anatomical references, topology adjustments for deformation, procedural merging of skeletons)
  • Solve complex technical animation challenges while collaborating with modeling, animation, design, and engineering teams
  • Perform quality checks, optimization (including LOD behavior), and seamless engine integration
  • Create clear technical documentation and help evolve the animation & rigging pipeline


Requirements

  • 3+ years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Technical Artist in game development, with at least 1 shipped title
  • Strong expertise in Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints, procedural animation techniques, IK/FK systems, and real-time character/creature workflows
  • Practical experience with physics simulation in real-time engines (ragdoll, active physics blending, joint constraints, momentum-based animation)
  • Ability to quickly adapt to new pipelines, tools, and evolving engine features
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and strong communication
  • Maya rigging experience


Pluses

  • Previous work on creature animation
  • Programming experience
  • Rigging pipelines from Maya UE5
  • Motion capture experience
  • Familiarity with performance optimization
  • Houdini experience


If you're passionate about breathing life into characters and solving technical challenges then this is your opportunity to help define the future of ARK.


Required Application Materials:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing


About Studio Wildcard

Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.


Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.


Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.


Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options

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