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Maya Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

teamLFG

OR · On-site

... Maya Stylized animation experience Fighting game animation experience Live Service game animation experience

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

Excellent Maya animation skills * Proficient with animation systems in UE5 * Strong verbal and written communication skills * Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines * Shipped 1+ ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Excellent Maya animation skills * Proficient with animation systems in UE5 * Strong verbal and written communication skills * Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines * Shipped 1+ ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

Excellent Maya animation skills * Proficient with animation systems in UE5 * Strong verbal and written communication skills * Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines * Shipped 1+ ...

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 ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

This role requires strong leadership skills, technical knowledge of animation tools (especially Maya), and the ability to solve creative and technical challenges while meeting deadlines. The lead ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

Shipped at least one AAA title with 4+ years of professional animation experience in Maya * Strong understanding of third-person shooter mechanics and in-engine animation systems (state machines ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Shipped at least one AAA title with 4+ years of professional animation experience in Maya * Strong understanding of third-person shooter mechanics and in-engine animation systems (state machines ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site

This role requires strong leadership skills, technical knowledge of animation tools (especially Maya), and the ability to solve creative and technical challenges while meeting deadlines. The lead ...

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Maya Animation information

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How much do maya animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for maya animation in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for 3D animators?

Maya animators, as 3D animators using Maya software, are in demand across industries such as gaming, film, and advertising due to the growing need for high-quality visual effects and animated content. Strong skills in modeling, rigging, and rendering, along with a portfolio, can improve job prospects in this competitive field.

What jobs use Maya?

Jobs that use Maya include 3D animator, character animator, visual effects artist, and game developer. These roles typically require skills in 3D modeling, animation, and rendering, often using Maya software in film, television, gaming, and advertising industries.

What is Maya animation?

Maya animation refers to the process of creating animated sequences using Autodesk Maya, a leading 3D computer graphics and animation software. Artists use Maya to model, rig, animate, and render characters and environments for films, TV, video games, and commercials. The software offers a wide range of tools and features for keyframe animation, motion graphics, dynamics, and more, making it a popular choice among professional animators and studios worldwide.

Do animators use Maya?

Yes, Maya is a widely used software tool among animators, especially in 3D animation and character modeling roles. It offers advanced features for modeling, rigging, and rendering, making it a common choice in the industry for creating high-quality animations. Proficiency in Maya is often required or preferred for many animation jobs.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney continues to hire 2D animators for certain projects, especially in legacy animation and specialized productions, though the company primarily focuses on 3D animation with tools like Maya and Toon Boom. Skilled 2D animators with strong traditional drawing and digital skills remain in demand for specific roles and independent projects.

What are some common challenges Maya Animators face when working on collaborative projects, and how can they be addressed?

Maya Animators often work in teams where clear communication and consistency are crucial, especially when multiple animators contribute to the same scene or character. Common challenges include managing version control, ensuring animation styles remain cohesive, and integrating feedback from directors or other departments. These challenges can be addressed by adhering to standardized naming conventions, using shared asset libraries, regularly updating project files, and participating in team reviews to align creative direction. Proactive communication and flexibility help maintain a smooth workflow and high-quality output.

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

To thrive as a Maya Animator, you need strong artistic skills, a solid understanding of animation principles, and proficiency in Autodesk Maya, often backed by a degree in animation or a related field. Mastery of Maya software, familiarity with rigging, rendering engines, and sometimes a knowledge of scripting languages like MEL or Python are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and excellent communication help animators collaborate effectively and bring characters to life. These skills ensure high-quality, visually compelling animations that meet production standards and support team workflows.

What is the difference between Maya Animation vs 3D Modeler?

AspectMaya Animation3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating animated sequences and character movementsDesigning and building 3D models and assets
Skills RequiredAnimation principles, rigging, keyframing, storytellingModeling techniques, topology, texturing, software proficiency
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, VFX companies, game developmentDesign firms, game studios, VFX houses
CertificationsOften requires knowledge of Maya software, animation coursesProficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, with modeling certifications

While Maya Animation focuses on bringing characters and objects to life through movement, 3D Modelers concentrate on creating the detailed 3D assets used in animations and environments. Both roles often collaborate in the production pipeline, but their core skills and tasks differ significantly.

More about Maya Animation jobs
What cities are hiring for Maya Animation jobs? Cities with the most Maya Animation job openings:
What states have the most Maya Animation jobs? States with the most job openings for Maya Animation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Maya Animation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Maya Animation jobs are:
Maya Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Maya Animation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 65% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 70% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Staff Technical Animator

teamLFG

OR • On-site

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Would you like to work on something comedic with lighthearted and whimsical characters? Do you think a lot about how well-crafted animations create satisfying feedback for players, or how to achieve quality character animation within real-time constraints? Come join us at teamLFG!

We are looking for someone that is excited about the creative art of animation and the technical challenge of turning that animation into world class action gameplay. As a Staff Technical Animator on teamLFG, you will be involved in the initial concept of character movement, the technical considerations of implementation, and the creation of final animation. Most importantly, you will work with a fun, diverse, cross-discipline team devoted to building a new universe from scratch on a new franchise at PlayStation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Create high quality production animation content and implement that content in a game engine

Collaborate with Animation, Design and Engineering to implement new animation systems and ensure cross-discipline communication

Provide support for the animation team helping to resolve technical issues

Proactively search for ways to improve animation quality and workflows

Collaborate with Engineering to ensure animation is performant and within memory budgets

Collaborate with Tech Artists developing tools that support the animation pipeline

REQUIRED SKILLS

In-depth experience with animation systems in Unreal Engine

Strong understanding of game animation concepts like layering, blending, state machines, etc

Knowledge of Maya animation pipelines

Strong communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment

A strong understanding of animation principles

NICE TO HAVE SKILLS

Python scripting for Maya

Stylized animation experience

Fighting game animation experience

Live Service game animation experience

Apply