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Junior Animation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Saransh Inc

iOS Developer - Onsite

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$50.25 - $69.25/hr

Mentor and guide junior developers, providing technical leadership and code reviews. * Participate ... Core Animation, etc. * Familiarity with RESTful APIs to connect iOS applications to back-end ...

Blitzy

Senior Front End Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$135K - $185K/yr

... interfaces, mentor junior engineers, and establish best practices as the company scales ... animations and complex UI interactions (Framer Motion, React Spring). • Deep knowledge of ...

Valicy

Senior Game Developer

Wilmington, NC

... animators using Unity and C#. - Translate game design documents, creative direction, and cross ... junior and mid-level developers through technical feedback, debugging assistance, and ...

Valicy

Senior Game Developer

Greenville, NC

... animators using Unity and C#. - Translate game design documents, creative direction, and cross ... junior and mid-level developers through technical feedback, debugging assistance, and ...

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Junior Animation Engineer information

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$71.8K

$109.5K

How much do junior animation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior animation engineer in the United States is $71,799.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Junior Animation Engineer vs Junior 3D Modeler?

AspectJunior Animation EngineerJunior 3D Modeler
Required SkillsAnimation software, scripting, basic physicsModeling software, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation houses, film productionGame studios, VFX companies, animation studios
Common CertificationsAnimation courses, basic programming3D modeling courses, software certifications

Both roles often work in similar environments within the gaming and film industries. While Junior Animation Engineers focus on creating animated sequences and integrating physics, Junior 3D Modelers specialize in building and texturing 3D assets. Understanding these differences helps candidates target their skills and career paths effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Animation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Animation Engineer, you need foundational knowledge in computer graphics, animation principles, and a degree in computer science, game development, or a related field. Familiarity with animation software (such as Maya or Blender), scripting languages (like Python or MEL), and game engines (such as Unity or Unreal Engine) is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with artists and developers. These skills and qualities are crucial for creating high-quality animations and ensuring smooth integration within interactive digital environments.

What are Junior Animation Engineers?

Junior Animation Engineers are entry-level professionals who support the creation, optimization, and integration of animations in digital media, such as video games, films, or interactive applications. They work closely with animators, artists, and senior engineers to develop animation tools, implement character movements, and ensure smooth visual performance. Typically, they use programming languages and animation software to bring creative ideas to life within technical constraints.

What are some common challenges faced by Junior Animation Engineers when collaborating with artists and designers?

Junior Animation Engineers often encounter challenges in translating creative concepts from artists and designers into technical implementations within the animation pipeline. Communication gaps can arise due to differing technical and artistic perspectives, requiring the engineer to clearly understand both the creative intent and technical constraints. Successfully bridging this gap involves asking clarifying questions, providing feasible solutions, and iterating on feedback to ensure animations are both visually appealing and performance-optimized. Over time, these collaborations help develop strong interdisciplinary skills valuable for career growth in animation technology.
What cities are hiring for Junior Animation Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Junior Animation Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Animation Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Animation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Animation Engineer jobs include:
Junior Animation Engineer jobs near you
Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA

$145K - $181K/yr

Other

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

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 Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: 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:

  • Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes
  • Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy AI behaviors
  • Work with animators to develop enemy locomotion and traversal, melee moves, ambient behaviors, and other custom abilities. Make every enemy archetype feel unique and memorable
  • Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems
  • Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the enemies you're owning
  • Write and maintain documentation that establishes the core vision of the enemy archetypes
  • Drive communication and collaboration for enemies you design and the levels they are in, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines
  • Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments
  • Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based on player experiences
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team

What skills you will use:

  • 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games, specifically focused on developing action-adventure or shooter games
  • At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or similar NPC AI concepts preferred
  • Strong coding ability: Computer Science degree preferred though not required
  • Proficient in using game engines and tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for combat implementation and design scripting (C#, Lua, Visual Scripting)
  • Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the "let's try it" mentality
  • Proficient and effective communication skills, including diagramming and sketching
  • Fluent in modern character action-adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
  • Knowledge of narrative structure and how it intersects with gameplay and combat
  • A keen eye for detail in character action games, able to tune gameplay systems to make them feel smooth and impactful
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills
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.
$145,100-$181,400 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.

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