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Lead Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA

As our Lead Animator , you'll be accountable for how our game moves and how our animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the quality bar high for a ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

As our Lead Animator , you'll be accountable for how our game moves and how our animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the quality bar high for a ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Collaborate with the Lead Animator to refine and maintain the game's animation style and feel. * Embellish story scenes with high quality FX using particles or shaders in Unity. * Setup and maintain ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

Collaborate with the Lead Animator to refine and maintain the game's animation style and feel. * Embellish story scenes with high quality FX using particles or shaders in Unity. * Setup and maintain ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

Collaborate with the Lead Animator to refine and maintain the game's animation style and feel. * Embellish story scenes with high quality FX using particles or shaders in Unity. * Setup and maintain ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

This role will help lead the development of animation assets to support the execution of the overall production's creative vision. This is an Expression of Interest role. Key Responsibilities: * Show ...

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

Insomniac Games

Senior Gameplay Animator (CONTRACT)

OR · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

The Senior Gameplay Animator is responsible for creating gameplay animation at the highest quality level set by Lead Animators and Animation Directors. They collaborate closely with other disciplines ...

Flying Bark Productions

Animation Director

Burbank, CA · On-site

$3.2K - $3.4K/wk

... Lead Animator. * Strong understanding of animation principles, character acting, performance, timing, posing, staging, and storytelling. * Proficiency with industry-standard animation software and ...

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Lead Animator information

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$14

$36

$68

How much do lead animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead 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.

What does a lead animator do?

A Lead Animator oversees the animation team and is responsible for ensuring that the visual style and movement of characters or objects in a project meet the director's vision. They guide and mentor junior animators, review their work, and collaborate closely with other departments like modeling, rigging, and art direction. Lead Animators also help establish animation workflows, set quality standards, and troubleshoot technical issues. They play a crucial role in maintaining consistency and quality throughout the animation process from concept to final output.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a lead animator?

To thrive as a Lead Animator, you need advanced animation skills, a strong portfolio, and experience with character rigging and motion, typically supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, and experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is essential. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you effectively guide teams and collaborate across departments. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality animation projects on time while fostering team creativity and cohesion.

How does a lead animator typically collaborate with other departments during a production?

A Lead Animator works closely with various departments such as storyboarding, modeling, rigging, and compositing to ensure the animation aligns with the overall vision of the project. They often attend interdepartmental meetings, provide feedback on assets, and coordinate with directors to address creative or technical challenges. Effective communication and strong leadership are essential, as Lead Animators guide their team while ensuring their work integrates smoothly with the broader production pipeline.
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Lead Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,634 per year, or $36.8 per hour.

Lead Animator

Novato, CA • On-site

Cloud Chamber
See more jobs at Cloud Chamberexternal

$123K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft high-end player characters and AI animations that support responsive, immersive gameplay-bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations, conducting regular 1:1s, annual evaluations, and setting clear, actionable goals.
  • Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture.
  • Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning.
  • Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion capture data for first-person and third-person characters, taking on animation tasks as time permits.
  • Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint planning, and task delegation while addressing blocking issues and participating in hiring efforts.
  • Take an active role in the animation leadership circle by sharing your voice and best practices to help guide the team's culture, as well as updating the group on new or outstanding issues

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped multiple AAA titles as a Lead, Team Lead, or Senior Animator ideally utilizing Unreal Engine.
  • Deep knowledge of gameplay and AI animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging/prototyping processes.
  • Strong practical skill in hand-key facial animation (such as FaceFX) alongside high proficiency in animating human bipeds, organic forms, quadrupeds, and mechanical objects.
  • Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form, gesture, and silhouette as applied to real-time interactive gameplay.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
#LI-Remote
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 - $182,360 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts

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