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Keyframe Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skild AI

Senior Robot Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$120K - $137K/yr

Author robot motion in Maya (or Blender) using keyframe, procedural, and capture-based techniques * Work with our robotics engineers to take motion from digital content creation (DCC) to real ...

Skild AI

Senior Robot Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

Author robot motion in Maya (or Blender) using keyframe, procedural, and capture-based techniques * Work with our robotics engineers to take motion from digital content creation (DCC) to real ...

De Circle

Animation Engineer - EmptyVessel

Austin, TX · On-site +1

Utilize Autodesk Maya for keyframe animation and animation techniques, implementing key poses to enhance character movement. * Work within Visual Studio IDE to write and optimize code, ensuring ...

NetEase Games

Character Performance Animator

Leverage experience from the film and game industries to optimize motion capture and keyframe animation pipelines, solve technical challenges, and enhance the overall quality and expressiveness of ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Provo, UT · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Salem, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Portland, OR · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Greenville, SC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

New Haven, CT · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

MO · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Newton, MA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Milwaukee, WI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Louisville, KY · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Logan, UT · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

MA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Allen, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Tucson, AZ · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

KS · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Murfreesboro, TN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

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Keyframe information

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$5

$29

$37

How much do keyframe jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for keyframe in the United States is $29.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a keyframe?

Keyframe artists, also known as keyframe animators, are professionals in animation and visual effects who create the main frames that define the starting and ending points of any smooth transition. These keyframes are essential in establishing the timing, movement, and poses of characters or objects in an animation sequence. Keyframe artists work closely with directors and other animators to ensure that the animation follows the desired storyline and visual style. Their work provides the foundation for in-between animators, who fill in the frames between key poses, resulting in fluid motion. Keyframe animation is widely used in film, television, video games, and other multimedia projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a keyframe animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Keyframe Animator, you need strong drawing skills, an understanding of animation principles, and proficiency in animation software, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or Autodesk Maya is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members are essential soft skills. These abilities ensure animations are visually compelling, technically sound, and aligned with project goals.

What are the typical collaboration dynamics for a keyframe artist within an animation studio?

As a Keyframe Artist, you will work closely with animators, storyboard artists, and directors to create the pivotal frames that define the movement and timing of a scene. Collaboration is frequent; you'll often review animatics and discuss the intended emotional beats or action sequences with the creative team. Effective communication is essential, as your keyframes serve as reference points for in-betweeners and other animators who complete the motion. Expect to attend regular team meetings and feedback sessions to ensure your work aligns with the project's vision and deadlines.

What is the difference between Keyframe vs Animation Artist?

AspectKeyframeAnimation Artist
Required credentialsOften holds a degree in animation, graphic design, or related fieldsTypically has similar educational background, with additional focus on artistic skills
Work environmentWorks in animation software, film studios, or game developmentWorks in animation studios, advertising agencies, or media companies
Industry usageUsed as a fundamental technique in animation creationRole involves creating and refining animations, often using keyframes
Search and comparison intentOften compared for technical roles in animation productionRelated but broader role involving animation process

In summary, a Keyframe is a specific point in animation defining a position or state, while an Animation Artist creates and refines animations, often utilizing keyframes as part of their workflow. Both roles are integral to animation production, with the Keyframe being a technical concept and the Animation Artist being a creative professional.

What other helpful pages are available for Keyframe?

Other pages related to Keyframe:

Infographic showing various Keyframe job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Full Time, and 92% Part Time. Highlights an 7% Physical, and 93% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,546 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Senior Robot Animator

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Skild AI
See more jobs at Skild AIexternal

$120K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Position Overview

We're looking for a Senior Robot Animator to help bring our robots to life. In this role, you'll work closely with our robotics, simulation, and hardware teams to rig, animate, and refine motion that runs both in simulation and on physical machines, supporting a range of teams and programs across the company. This is an animation-first role focused on the computer graphics side of motion - rigging, keyframe animation, body mechanics, and the editing and retargeting of captured data. Strong candidates pair animation craft with an intuition for what a physical robot can actually execute.

Responsibilities
  • Author robot motion in Maya (or Blender) using keyframe, procedural, and capture-based techniques
  • Work with our robotics engineers to take motion from digital content creation (DCC) to real hardware
  • Choreograph and time performances, including multi-robot sequences and motion cut to music or camera
  • Deliver finished rendered work as well as sequences performed by the machines themselves
  • Build motion libraries and retargeting that support our simulation and machine learning work
  • Partner with our hardware teams on previz and range-of-motion studies that inform design
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years animating professionally in film/VFX, games, or robotics, or equivalent senior-level experience - demo reel required
  • Expert keyframe animation with a strong sense of weight, timing, and body mechanics
  • Rigging experience with mechanical or articulated characters: constraints, IK/FK, joint limits, mechanism-accurate setups
  • Comfortable cleaning, editing, and retargeting motion capture onto non-human skeletons
  • Background working with humanoid or robotic characters in simulation or the real world
  • Familiarity with controls/rigid-body dynamics/simulation is a plus

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