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Gameplay Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

As our Lead Animator , you'll be accountable for how our game moves and how our animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the quality bar high for a ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA

As our Lead Animator , you'll be accountable for how our game moves and how our animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the quality bar high for a ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. You'll play a key role in defining how our characters move, respond ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. You'll play a key role in defining how our characters move, respond ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY

$110K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. You'll play a key role in defining how our characters move, respond ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site

$115.20K - $131.50K/yr

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 ...

Bonfire Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$113.80K - $129.90K/yr

If you care about animation as gameplay (and want real ownership over the result) we'd love to see your reel. YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY: * Creating high-quality, in-game character animations that bring ...

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 Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. As a hands-on ...

That's No Moon Entertainment

OR · On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Narrative Gameplay Animator with a passion and drive for creating incredible animations for a AAA title. Be the go-to person in supporting immersive, narrative moments ...

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Gameplay Animator information

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How much do gameplay animator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for 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 is a Gameplay Animator job?

A Gameplay Animator is responsible for creating dynamic, high-quality animations that bring characters and objects to life in a video game. They focus on movement, behavior, and responsiveness, ensuring smooth and immersive player interactions. Using keyframe animation or motion capture, they collaborate with designers and programmers to refine animations for realism and gameplay needs. Their work enhances the overall feel and fluidity of a game, making characters and environments more engaging.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Gameplay Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Animator, you need strong animation fundamentals, experience with character rigging, and a solid understanding of movement and timing, which are typically supported by a relevant degree or portfolio work. Proficiency in technical tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, or Unity is essential, and familiarity with game development pipelines is highly valued. Creativity, teamwork, and the ability to take and give feedback are key soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure engaging animation that integrates seamlessly with gameplay, contributing to an immersive and responsive player experience.

What does the collaboration process look like for a Gameplay Animator within a game development team?

Gameplay Animators typically work closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to ensure animations enhance the overall gameplay experience. This often involves regular team meetings, rapid iteration based on feedback, and consistent communication to align animation with game mechanics and narrative. You may be involved in playtesting and troubleshooting animation issues to ensure smooth transitions and responsiveness. Effective collaboration is key, as your work directly influences both the look and feel of the game for players. This collaborative environment not only enhances the final product but also provides valuable learning and networking opportunities for career growth.
More about Gameplay Animator jobs
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Gameplay Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Animator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Full Time, 80% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Lead Gameplay Animator

Lead Gameplay Animator

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
As our Lead Animator, you'll be accountable for how our game moves and how our animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the quality bar high for a competitive, combat-driven multiplayer experience. At the same time, you'll stay close to the craft, guiding combat feel and gameplay clarity from prototype through polish, helping ensure that every movement in our world carries intention and that the team behind it continues to level up.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Inspiring and guiding the animation discipline, setting the creative vision and quality bar for characters and combat in a competitive multiplayer game.
  • Leading and mentoring a lean animation team, fostering autonomy, accountability, and growth through clear expectations, constructive feedback, and thoughtful development.
  • Balancing leadership with hands-on creation, contributing directly to gameplay animation while setting standards and pushing ideas forward independently.
  • Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience.
  • Owning combat feel and moment-to-moment gameplay expression, ensuring characters are readable, responsive, expressive, and impactful.
  • Driving production clarity and execution, prioritizing animation goals, pipelines, and team focus while balancing fidelity, performance, and schedule.
  • Evolving animation systems and workflows, including thoughtful use of motion capture, keyframe techniques, and external partnerships.
  • Guiding and reviewing external animation partners, maintaining a high craft bar across both internal and outsourced work.
  • Contributing to studio-wide hiring, onboarding, and team-building efforts to grow and strengthen the animation discipline.
  • Fostering accountability and self-sufficiency, empowering the team to solve problems proactively while maintaining strong collaboration.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Have proven experience creating high-quality, in-game animations, ideally across multiple shipped titles.
  • Are energized by competitive multiplayer combat and understand the critical role animation plays in readability, feel, and fairness.
  • Bring a strong understanding of combat systems and how animation drives responsiveness and player satisfaction.
  • Have experience developing animation systems, ideally in new or evolving engines.
  • Are comfortable owning features end-to-end, from early exploration through final implementation.
  • Are highly skilled at conveying character through gameplay animation, not just cinematics.
  • Push for animation excellence while always putting gameplay quality first.
  • Thrive in tight-knit, highly collaborative teams and communicate clearly across disciplines.
  • Are self-directed, adaptable, and able to focus on what matters most for the game right now.
  • Believe great games are built by great teams that put people first.
  • Value trust, openness, humility, curiosity, and enjoy learning alongside others.
  • Have a growth mindset and care deeply about helping teammates develop.
  • Want to make a meaningful impact on a new IP and shape both the role and the studio as we grow.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You prefer to focus solely on individual contribution and don't enjoy coaching, mentoring, or guiding others.
  • You're looking for a role where the animation vision is already fully defined and doesn't require iteration or collaboration.
  • You're uncomfortable balancing creative ambition with gameplay, tech, and production realities.
  • You prefer rigid role boundaries and aren't excited by wearing multiple hats in a small, evolving team.
  • Competitive multiplayer games-or the tradeoffs they require-don't genuinely excite you.
  • You're seeking a highly siloed environment rather than a studio where cross-discipline collaboration is constant and expected

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $196,500 - $247,133. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

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