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Indie Animation Studio Jobs (NOW HIRING)

INVIZ

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

Studio Wildcard

Senior Graphics Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$200K/yr

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Partner with the Creature Art and Tech Animation teams to pioneer new rendering techniques ...

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Indie Animation Studio information

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$11K

$172.5K

How much do indie animation studio jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for indie animation studio in the United States is $171,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $171,000.00 and $171,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an indie animation studio?

An indie animation studio job involves working in a smaller, independent company that creates animated content outside of major studios. Roles can vary from animators and storyboard artists to writers, producers, and voice actors. These positions often require wearing multiple hats due to smaller team sizes, fostering creative flexibility and hands-on experience. Indie studios typically work on short films, web series, indie games, or feature films with unique storytelling and artistic styles. Collaboration, adaptability, and passion for animation are key qualities for success in this environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an indie animation studio?

To thrive as an Indie Animation Studio, you need strong skills in animation principles, visual storytelling, and creative direction, often supported by experience in animation software and a portfolio of completed projects. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Blender, or similar industry-standard applications is essential, and relevant certifications in animation or digital arts can be advantageous. Excellent project management, teamwork, and communication skills help in collaborating with artists, writers, and voice actors while meeting client or audience expectations. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality animation projects on limited budgets and tight deadlines often encountered in the indie animation industry.

What are some common challenges faced by teams working at an indie animation studio?

Indie Animation Studios often work with smaller budgets and limited resources compared to major production houses, which can create unique challenges around scheduling, staffing, and acquiring high-end equipment. Team members typically wear multiple hats, contributing to various aspects of production such as storyboarding, character design, and post-production editing. Close collaboration and adaptability are essential, as changes in creative direction or client feedback may come up frequently during a project. Despite these challenges, working at an indie studio offers a high level of creative freedom and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to every stage of the animation process.

How to get into indie animation studio?

To get into an indie animation studio, build a strong portfolio showcasing your animation skills using software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom. Gaining experience through internships, personal projects, or freelance work, along with understanding storytelling and character design, can improve your chances of being hired.

Is indie animation the future?

Indie animation studios are increasingly influential in the industry due to their creative freedom and lower production costs, often utilizing digital tools like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom. As technology advances and distribution platforms expand, indie animators have more opportunities to reach audiences directly, suggesting a growing role in the future of animation production.
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Indie Animation Studio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Indie Animation Studio job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Contract. Highlights an 20% In-person, and 80% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,000 per year, or $82.2 per hour.

Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) - Remote or On-Site

Studio Wildcard

Seattle, WA • Remote

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

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 build ARK 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.


We’re looking for an exceptionally talented Technical Animator who lives and breathes Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. You will own high-impact animation systems that bring creatures, characters, and gameplay to life. This is a systems-focused technical animation role: deep expertise in visual programming (AnimBPs + Control Rig) is the core requirement. Comfort with programming logic is essential, but day-to-day C++ work is not the focus.


Responsibilities:

  • Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
  • Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
  • Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
  • Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
  • Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems


Requirements:

  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title.
  • Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems).
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using Unreal Engine 5


Pluses:

  • C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
  • Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with Rigging and Animation
  • Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
  • Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
  • Houdini experience


Required Application Materials:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing
  • Portfolio or examples demonstrating Animation Blueprint and/or Control Rig work


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