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Junior 3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Valicy

3D Animator

Greenville, NC

A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game's life cycle, owning the ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ...

Red Games Co.

Freelance Animator

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

Create high-quality 2D/3D character, creature, environment, and UI animation for mobile platforms. * Work with Art Directors, Animation Lead, Animation Team, Game Designers, and Engineers to ensure ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

... of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The ... The lead also coaches junior artists, collaborates with other departments, and supports production ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ...

MOD Worldwide, LLC

Motion Designer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Deliver polished animations (2D, 3D, Character, Compositing) working with team members across all disciplines: strategy, accounts, design, copy, and dev. * * Bring layout, typography, and design ...

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Junior 3D Character Animator information

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How much do junior 3d character animator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior 3d character animator in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Junior 3D Character Animator do?

A Junior 3D Character Animator is responsible for creating and animating digital characters for use in video games, films, or other media. They work under the guidance of senior animators and supervisors to bring characters to life by crafting realistic or stylized movements, expressions, and interactions. Their tasks often include rigging, keyframing, and refining animations to meet project requirements. Junior animators also collaborate closely with modelers, riggers, and other artists to ensure the final animations fit seamlessly within the overall production.

What are some common challenges faced by Junior 3D Character Animators in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Junior 3D Character Animators often encounter challenges such as adapting to different animation pipelines, meeting tight deadlines, and receiving constructive feedback on their work. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the technical demands of animation software and the nuances of character movement. To overcome these challenges, new animators should actively seek mentorship from senior team members, participate in animation reviews, and consistently practice their craft. Embracing feedback and collaborating closely with riggers, modelers, and directors can help build both confidence and technical skill, accelerating professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior 3D Character Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior 3D Character Animator, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, character rigging, and a relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating your skills. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Adobe Creative Suite is highly valued, and knowledge of Unity or Unreal Engine can be advantageous. Strong attention to detail, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication help you deliver compelling animated performances and work well within a team. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality animations that meet project goals and contribute to a collaborative creative environment.
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Junior 3D Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior 3D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

3D Animator

Valicy

Greenville, NC

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Job Title: 3D Animator
Department: NC Art
Location: Greenville, NC
Reports To: Art Lead
Status: Exempt
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
WHO WE ARE:

We are Valicy.

We make games. We also make the machines they run on.
What we're building matters. How we treat people matters more.
OUR MISSION
We exist to create excellent gaming experiences, treat our customers the way we want to be treated, and positively impact people's lives through a culture of care.
Seven values guide how we work. We call it our FIGHTER mindset:
Fun: Enjoy the journey together
Innovative: Consistently pushing new boundaries through creativity
Growth: Committed to growing personally and professionally
Humble amp; Passionate: It’s important to be both
Teamwork: Built on trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results
Excellence: Pursuing high standards in everything we do
Relational: Building trust and relationships with customers and teammates


If this is the kind of place you've been looking for, let's talk.


SUMMARY: The ideal candidate has experience with animating characters and assets in a fun, stylized approach. A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game’s life cycle, owning the responsibility of animation through pre-production to the final milestone. Blending artistic expertise and technical ability, the 3D Animator will bring visually stimulating content to life that will enhance game play-ability and showcase original experiences to a wide player audience.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Understand company Mission, Vision, and Values and be an ambassador of MVV.
- Collaborate effectively with artists and programmers to create high quality, stylized 3d character animations for games produced by the team
- Rigging and weight painting the prepared 3d characters for animation
- Animate real time popups/motion graphics in 3d space to be used in Unity3D
- Assist in creating entertaining Unity3D transitions to and from game features
- Create high quality animations of characters or key art assets specifically for marketing promotions and sizzle reel videos
- Work with the art team to create dynamic and engaging particle systems in Unity’s Shuriken Particle Editor
REQUIREMENTS:
- A strong portfolio demonstrating understanding of animation principles as they apply to a variety of stylized 3D characters
- Art degree preferred or equivalent work experience
- 1-2 years prior experience in a related position
- Experience developing motion graphics elements for any type of media
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience in using the Unity3D engine (importing assets, animation editor, shuriken particle system)
- Competency in both Photoshop and After Effects
- Work experience in mobile or casino gaming industries
- Familiarity with VFX pipelines in games
- Knowledge of Unity 3D particle systems
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
This Job Description is to be used as a guide for accomplishing Company objectives. The description incorporates the most typical duties performed and covers only the primary functions and responsibilities of the position. It is recognized that other related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of those duties would not alter the overall evaluation of this position.
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