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Gameplay Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NetEase Games

FPS 1P View Gameplay Animator

Strong attention to realistic gameplay feel and animation details, with the ability to balance visual quality and runtime performance. Comfortable with iterative development and repeated polish.

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

New

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

New

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

New

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

New

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level * Provide thoughtful feedback to team members and be open to critique * Create multiplayer ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level * Provide thoughtful feedback to team members and be open to critique * Create multiplayer ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... We are currently looking for a talented Technical Animator to join our tightly knit group of ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... We are currently looking for a talented Technical Animator to join our tightly knit group of ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... We are currently looking for a talented Technical Animator to join our tightly knit group of ...

New

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints. * Set up animation ...

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Gameplay Animator information

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$39

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How much do gameplay animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 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?

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 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.

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.

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Gameplay Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$126K - $227K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

This is a hybrid / onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Part I and Part II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us!

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

What you will do:

  • Create high quality animation content supporting the newly developed behaviors and systems and implement it in engine
  • Work with the animation leadership on defining and maintaining the style and quality bar of the in-game animation
  • Collaborate with the Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges
  • Take ownership of challenging projects and provide innovative solutions, including mentoring team members and creating documentation
  • Contribute to the strategic development of internal technologies and artistic processes
  • Facilitate the creation and implementation of tools and techniques that allow the building of complex and high-quality animation systems
  • Innovate and streamline animation pipeline processes and workflows

What skills you will use:

  • 5+ years of industry experience in gameplay animation for games
  • Proven track record of creating visually stunning animations for diverse game genres
  • Full understanding of in-game animation tools like state machines, blend trees, IK solvers, etc.
  • Expertise with mocap and keyframe based digital content creation pipelines built on Maya or Motionbuilder
  • Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required
  • Proactively contributes to the progress of the team and the project

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an animation test.

#LI-SP3

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.
$126,400-$227,000 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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