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Game Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special ... design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Character Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

They will collaborate with a team of artists and developers to conceptualize, design, and execute ... Qualifications & Skills: * 5+ years of proven experience as a Character Artist in the gaming, film ...

2K

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals. * Collaborate with ...

Electronic Arts

See the character through production, including tuning, polishing, and writing robust, shippable ... Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative design * Understanding of game feel and polish

Cloud Chamber

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals. * Collaborate with ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals. * Collaborate with ...

2K

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals. * Collaborate with ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Designer (Combat & AI)

OR · On-site +1

... game on teamLFG. You will work closely with the entire Design Team designing, crafting, and ... character and timing, and their impact on game readability and balance Proven ability to build ...

Leland

Animation & CGI Coach

$108K - $123K/yr

... character design, storyboarding, motion graphics, rendering, and visual effects. Coaches also guide ... film animation, game animation, and virtual reality design. Additional support includes skill ...

Epic Games

Level Design Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic. LEVEL DESIGN INTERN What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a ...

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Game Character Design information

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$130.8K

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How much do game character design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for game character design in the United States is $130,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game character design?

A Game Character Design job involves creating the visual appearance, personality, and style of characters in video games. Designers develop concept art, refine designs based on feedback, and collaborate with animators and 3D modelers to bring characters to life. They ensure that characters fit the game's world, story, and mechanics. Strong artistic skills, creativity, and knowledge of anatomy, color theory, and game engines are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in game character design?

To excel in Game Character Design, you need strong artistic skills in illustration and 3D modeling, typically supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, ZBrush, Maya, or Blender is essential, and a professional portfolio is often required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are important soft skills, as you’ll regularly work with developers, animators, and other artists. These abilities ensure you can create visually compelling and technically sound characters that fit within the overall game vision and development pipeline.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a game character designer in a game development studio?

A Game Character Designer typically spends their day brainstorming and sketching new character concepts, collaborating closely with creative directors and narrative teams to ensure characters support the game's story and style. They create detailed character models, textures, and sometimes rigging, using both traditional art techniques and digital tools. Regular feedback sessions and revisions are a normal part of the process, requiring open communication with animators and programmers to address technical constraints. This collaborative environment helps ensure that character designs are both artistic and functional within the game's mechanics.

Are game character designers in demand?

Game character designers are in demand due to the growing gaming industry and the need for visually appealing, innovative characters. Skills in digital art, 3D modeling, and software like Adobe Photoshop or Blender are highly valued, and employment opportunities are available in both large studios and indie development teams.

How to become a game character designer?

To become a game character designer, develop strong skills in drawing, 3D modeling, and animation using tools like Photoshop, Blender, or Maya. Obtain a relevant degree in game design, art, or a related field, build a portfolio showcasing character concepts, and gain experience through internships or personal projects in the gaming industry.

How to get a job as a game character designer?

To become a game character designer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your illustration and concept art skills, and gain proficiency in design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. A background in art, animation, or game design, along with understanding of character anatomy and storytelling, is essential; internships or entry-level positions can also provide valuable experience.
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Game Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Character Design job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 40% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,762 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC • On-site

Epic Games
PC Games • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Epic Gamesexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine

  • Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation

  • Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character, and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.
In this role, you will
  • Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
  • Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
  • Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems. Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
  • Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
  • Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviours that feel intuitive and responsive
  • Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
  • Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
  • Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence
What we're looking for
  • Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
  • Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
  • Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
  • Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
  • Animating in engine using Unreal Engine animation tools
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills
  • Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments

Bonus Points
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies
  • Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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