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Lead 2D Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duolingo

Creative Technology Manager

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$182K - $247K/yr

You'll lead the prototyping of new ideas, build production-ready systems, and shape the tooling ... A strong motion and design sensibility across 3D or 2D animation pipelines (Maya, Blender, Houdini ...

Fox

Producer, AI Animation - FoxNXT

Los Angeles, CA

$114K - $152K/yr

Lead AI driven animation projects from inception through delivery while building workflows from ... Strong understanding of animation pipelines including 2D, 3D, or hybrid formats * Ability to build ...

Nen Creative

Motion Design Lead

San Francisco, CA · Remote

You'll work across 2D, UI, typography, compositing, and edit-driven animation, owning hands-on ... Lead motion design across a range of client projects including launch videos, commercials, product ...

Nen Creative

Motion Design Lead

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

You'll work across 2D, UI, typography, compositing, and edit-driven animation, owning hands-on ... Lead motion design across a range of client projects including launch videos, commercials, product ...

Nen Creative

Motion Design Lead

New York, NY · Remote

You'll work across 2D, UI, typography, compositing, and edit-driven animation, owning hands-on ... Lead motion design across a range of client projects including launch videos, commercials, product ...

Nen Creative

Motion Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

You'll work across 2D, UI, typography, compositing, and edit-driven animation, owning hands-on ... Lead motion design across a range of client projects including launch videos, commercials, product ...

Duolingo

Creative Technology Manager

New York, NY · On-site

$182K - $247K/yr

You'll lead the prototyping of new ideas, build production-ready systems, and shape the tooling ... A strong motion and design sensibility across 3D or 2D animation pipelines (Maya, Blender, Houdini ...

SRI Tech solutions Inc

Lead UI Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

... Lead UI Designer Location: Columbia, Maryland Duration: 3 months * Apply heuristics to design ... Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop ...

SRI Tech solutions Inc

Lead UI Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

... Lead UI Designer Location: Columbia, Maryland Duration: 3 months * Apply heuristics to design ... Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop ...

Serval Inc

Senior Motion Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Role Overview As a Senior Motion Designer, you'll lead the creative vision and hands-on execution of motion across product and brand, bringing ideas to life through compelling 2D and 3D animation ...

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team * Work closely with ... 2D animation. * Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team * Work closely with ... 2D animation. * Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

New

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team Work closely with technical ... 2D animation. Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team * Work closely with ... 2D animation. * Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team Work closely with technical ... 2D animation. Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

Netflix

OR · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team * Work closely with ... 2D animation. * Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

Netflix

Producer - Inkubator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$586K - $825K/yr

Lead and mentor a small, flexible, and agile production management team * Work closely with ... 2D animation. * Maintain clear and timely communication with studio executives and advisors ...

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Lead 2D Animator information

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How much do lead 2d animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead 2d animator in the United States is $36.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.88 and $42.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Lead 2D Animator typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

A Lead 2D Animator works closely with directors, storyboard artists, and the art department to ensure that the animation style and movement align with the project's vision. They also frequently communicate with editors and sound designers to synchronize visuals with audio elements. Collaboration is essential throughout the production pipeline, as the Lead 2D Animator often provides feedback, coordinates asset delivery, and ensures that animation sequences integrate smoothly with backgrounds and special effects. This cross-functional teamwork helps maintain consistency and quality across the final product.

What are Lead 2D Animators?

Lead 2D Animators are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the creation and quality of 2D animated content in film, television, video games, or advertising. They guide and mentor a team of animators, ensuring the artistic vision and style are consistent throughout a project. In addition to supervising animation work, they often collaborate with directors, designers, and other departments to meet deadlines and resolve creative challenges. Their expertise in both technical animation skills and leadership is crucial for delivering high-quality, engaging animations.

What is the difference between Lead 2D Animator vs 2D Animator?

AspectLead 2D Animator2D Animator
ResponsibilitiesOversees animation projects, guides team, ensures style consistencyCreates individual animations, follows project briefs
CredentialsTypically requires a portfolio, experience, sometimes a degree in animation or related fieldPortfolio, basic animation skills, often a degree or diploma in animation or art
Work EnvironmentTeam-based, collaborative, often in studios or remote teamsIndividual work, often under supervision, in studio or freelance settings

The main difference between a Lead 2D Animator and a 2D Animator is the level of responsibility. The Lead 2D Animator manages animation projects and guides team members, while a 2D Animator focuses on creating animations based on project requirements. Both roles require strong animation skills and relevant experience, but the Lead position involves leadership and project oversight.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead 2D Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead 2D Animator, you need advanced drawing abilities, a deep understanding of animation principles, and typically a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, and After Effects is crucial, along with experience managing animation pipelines. Strong leadership, communication, and time management skills help you guide teams and collaborate effectively across departments. These skills ensure high-quality animation output, efficient production workflows, and cohesive team performance in creative environments.
More about Lead 2D Animator jobs
What job categories do people searching Lead 2D Animator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead 2D Animator jobs are:
Lead 2D Animator jobs near you
Creative Technology Manager

Creative Technology Manager

Duolingo

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$182K - $247K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It's a big mission, and even though we've made a lot of headway, we still have work to do - and that's where you come in!
Duolingo's designers care about creating high-quality experiences that look and feel fun. From animators to writers, product designers to researchers, Design brings purpose, feeling, and delight to every interaction with our brand, inside the app and out. As a designer, you'll join a culture of creativity and craft, where we have a high bar for excellence and an endless curiosity about how to bring more unexpected quirk and fun to the pursuit of learning.
Join us in our mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.
About the Role
Duolingo's Creative Technologists sit at the intersection of design, animation, and engineering-turning ambitious ideas into interactive, production-ready experiences that reach millions of learners. As a Creative Technology Manager, you'll both manage a team of Creative Technologists and directly elevate how we use art, motion, and interactivity to create delightful, performant, and scalable learning experiences. You'll lead the prototyping of new ideas, build production-ready systems, and shape the tooling that enables teams to move faster. This role reports to the Senior Manager of Creative Technology and is based in Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY.
You will...
  • Act as the technical lead for cross-functional partners (product designers, product managers, and engineers) to unblock bold ideas and drive them from concept through delivery
  • Develop your team's skills and careers, giving clear, actionable feedback and coaching toward greater scope and impact
  • Create and evolve complex animated UI using Rive or similar technologies for high-visibility features across the app
  • Collaborate directly with iOS and Android engineers to design asset functionality, troubleshoot, and optimize performance
  • Shape our design and animation ecosystem (Rive, Figma, Unity, internal tools) by developing tools, automations, and systems that scale high-quality output

You have...
  • 5+ years in roles adjacent to creative technology (e.g., technical animation, gameplay scripting, CG supervision, pipeline/TD work) with proven people management or leadership experience.
  • A portfolio or demo reel that demonstrates:
    • High-quality visuals delivered within real-world performance constraints
    • Reducing complexity while achieving product goals
    • Systems thinking (e.g., reusable animation or interaction systems)
    • Tooling that meaningfully improves team workflows
    • Prototyping savvy and end-to-end problem solving
  • Strong programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, C++, or similar).
  • Excellent communication skills, including fluency in design-to-engineering handoffs, and communicating technical constraints to non-technical partners.
  • Experience operating in highly ambiguous environments and independently driving projects with cross-functional dependencies.
  • Ability to work from or relocate to Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY.

☆ Exceptional candidates will have...
  • Experience creating interactive animation for mobile products at scale
  • Proficiency with Rive for building UI and designing complex user interactions
  • A strong motion and design sensibility across 3D or 2D animation pipelines (Maya, Blender, Houdini, or Toon Boom, etc.)
  • Understanding of game design principles, especially for learning contexts
  • A passion for the craft and a care for their people.

The offered salary is dependent upon several factors, including work experience, skills, and internal peer comparisons. The posted range is subject to change in the future. For this role, base salary is supplemented by equity compensation. We encourage you to talk with your recruiter for more information related to compensation for this role!
Salary Range:
$182,800-$247,300 USD
Take a peek at how we care for our employees' holistic well-being with our benefits here.
We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact accommodations@duolingo.com.
Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
By applying for this position your data will be processed as per the Duolingo Applicant Privacy Notice.
Unfortunately, there is a rise in scammers pretending to be real Duolingo employees. Duolingo and our employees will never ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or passport info, and we'll never ask you to deposit a check, purchase equipment, or exchange money during the interview process. Real Duolingo employees always use an email that ends in @duolingo.com or @recruiting.duolingo.com. Stay alert and double-check these details before sharing any information.
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