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Lead 3D Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Innio

Augmented Reality Learning Developer

Waukesha, WI

$52.50 - $67.75/hr

Lead the design, development, and implementation of augmented reality experiences for learning and development purposes. * Utilize 3D animation techniques to create immersive and interactive ...

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA · On-site

Lead cross-functional efforts to improve performance and bring new features to Apple products. Set ... Stay current on emerging hardware, software and workflows in 3D, animation, and digital content ...

INNIO

Augmented Reality Learning Developer

Waukesha, WI

$52.50 - $67.75/hr

Lead the design, development, and implementation of augmented reality experiences for learning and development purposes. * Utilize 3D animation techniques to create immersive and interactive ...

Valicy

3D Artist

Wilmington, NC

NC Art Reports To: Art Lead Status: Exempt Online art portfolio (Required at the time of ... assets, animation editor, shuriken particle system) Preferred Requirements: - Art degree ...

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA

$142K - $263K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Lead cross-functional efforts to improve performance and bring new features to Apple products. Set ... Stay current on emerging hardware, software and workflows in 3D, animation, and digital content ...

Umusic

3D Motion Specialist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

How we LEAD: Merchandise and e-commerce is part of the fabric of music culture. For artists, it's a ... As digital experiences continue to evolve, motion, animation, and immersive visual storytelling ...

Umusic

3D Motion Specialist

New York, NY · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

How we LEAD: Merchandise and e-commerce is part of the fabric of music culture. For artists, it's a ... As digital experiences continue to evolve, motion, animation, and immersive visual storytelling ...

Universal Music Group

3D Motion Specialist

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

How we LEAD: Merchandise and e-commerce is part of the fabric of music culture. For artists, it's a ... As digital experiences continue to evolve, motion, animation, and immersive visual storytelling ...

Bjak

Motions Design Lead

Charleston, WV · Remote

Lead the design and animation of motion graphics for marketing campaigns, product explainers ... Experiment with advanced VFX, 3D animation, and emerging digital formats * Continuously push ...

Umusic

3D Motion Specialist

Philadelphia, PA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

How we LEAD: Merchandise and e-commerce is part of the fabric of music culture. For artists, it's a ... As digital experiences continue to evolve, motion, animation, and immersive visual storytelling ...

DK Global

Visual Media Compositor

Redlands, CA · On-site

$23 - $29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

DK Global is a leading litigation visuals firm that creates high-impact 3D animations and medical illustrations to help trial attorneys communicate complex information and advocate for justice. The ...

DK Global, Inc.

Sales and Marketing Representative

Redlands, CA

$41K - $55K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Educate new clients on the value of using 3D animations and visual demonstratives in court ... Lead creative meetings to relay your client's vision to the project managers and animation team.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsLead 3D Animator Jobs

Lead 3D Animator information

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$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do lead 3d animator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead 3d 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead 3D animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead 3D Animator, you need advanced skills in animation principles, character rigging, and experience with industry-standard 3D software, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Mastery of tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with a strong portfolio, is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to mentor team members are crucial soft skills for guiding creative projects. These skills ensure the production of high-quality animations, foster collaboration, and help deliver projects efficiently within creative teams.

What is a Lead 3D animator?

Lead 3D Animators are professionals who oversee the animation team in creating high-quality 3D animations for film, television, video games, or other media. They are responsible for guiding the creative vision, ensuring animation quality, and coordinating workflows between animators and other departments. In addition to animating complex scenes themselves, they mentor junior animators, review work for consistency, and help troubleshoot technical or artistic challenges. Their leadership is essential for delivering compelling and visually cohesive animated projects on time.

What are some common challenges Lead 3D animators face when coordinating a team on large projects?

Lead 3D Animators often encounter challenges in balancing creative vision with technical constraints, ensuring consistency across team members' work, and meeting tight production deadlines. Effective communication and clear feedback are crucial for aligning the team's efforts and maintaining high-quality animation standards. Additionally, staying updated with evolving animation software and workflows is essential to keep the team efficient and competitive.
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What job categories do people searching Lead 3D Animator jobs look for?

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Lead 3D Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead 3D Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Senior 3D Visualization and Animation Technical Artist

Sony Electronics

Culver City, CA • On-site, Remote

$140K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth. To learn more: www.sony.com/en.

This is a fixed-term role for one year.

PositionSummary

Sony Corporation of America is looking for a skilled and experiencedSenior 3D Visualization Animation Technical Artistto join our team in Culver City, CA.The willlead 3D photography and 4D video capturing of talents by ensuring efficient communication with talents as well as technical crew members in all aspects of 3D content production.

Responsibilities:

  • Self-motivated toefficiently and effectively collaboratewith R&D and artist teams, toidentifydetailed requirementsof challenging 3D animation projects, andto achieve the bestvisualization prototypesofstate-of-the-art3D/4Dcontent creation.

  • Develop andmaintaincomprehensive technical documentation, meticulously recording each step of the R&D process.

  • Share best practices and technical insights with both art andresearchteams, promoting efficiency and innovation.

  • Facilitate and lead creative discussions, addressing productionchallengesandidentifyingopportunities forqualityimprovement.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in art, Film, Communications, or a related field.

  • Solid experiencewith photo-real CG content creation workflow in games,filmor other entertainment industries.

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in 3D computer graphics(3D animation).

  • Familiaritywithcharacter animationworkflow such asblendshapes, rigging and simulation (hair, garment).

  • Familiarity with 3DCG platforms like Maya,Unreal Engine,and/orBlender.

  • Familiaritywith shader development,materialcreationand rendering.

  • Excellentanalyticandcommunication skills.

  • Authorization to work in the USA.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • M.S. degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related fields.

  • Research and development skills, including the ability to stay updated on emerging technologies and techniques in computer graphics.

  • Hands-on experience in 3Dhumanmodelingof geometry &texture.

  • Familiarity with Unityand/orMarmoset

  • Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MEL scripting.

Benefits

SCA offers benefits-eligible fixed-term employees (who are scheduled to work 30 or more hours a week) certain benefits under the Sony Corporation of America Health and Welfare Benefits Plan. The following options are available to you and your eligible dependents.

What we offer you:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents
  • Long Term Care: A voluntary Long-Term Care (LTC) benefit with a life insurance component is offered during a separate new hire LTC enrollment window. This window occurs once a year for all new employees.

Other Programs:

  • Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules
  • Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day (based on business needs)
  • A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)

Theanticipatedannual base salary for this position is $140,000 to $155,000.Thisrange does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

#LI-AS1

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America

Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at careers@sonyusa.com or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, People Experience Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.

We are aware that unauthorized individuals or organizations may attempt to solicit personal information or payments from job applicants by impersonating our company through fraudulent job postings. We take these matters seriously but cannot control third-party websites. To protect your personal information, please verify that any job posting you respond to also appears on our official Careers page:www.sonyjobs.com. Please also be advised that we never request personal identifying information (such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or copies of identification documents) during the initial stages of our application process. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a job posting or communication, please contactcareers@sonyusa.combefore submitting any information.

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