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Maya Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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+ ...

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+ ...

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+ ...

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

A minimum of 3 years of experience animating characters using Maya. * Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an excellent communicator and a team ...

A minimum of 3 years of experience animating characters using Maya. * Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an excellent communicator and a team ...

Senior Gameplay Animator (CONTRACT)

OR · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement animations in engine using expert skills in Maya and proprietary engine tools. * Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.

Extensive experience with character animation in Maya * Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work well in a team environment * Experience with animation systems in Unreal ...

A minimum of 3 years of experience animating characters using Maya. * Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an excellent communicator and a team ...

Preferably Blender/Cinema 4D/Maya * Spine Animation software a plus (not required) * Working knowledge of AI generative tools and incorporating them into workflow * Strong understanding of animation ...

Preferably Blender/Cinema 4D/Maya * Spine Animation software a plus (not required) * Working knowledge of AI generative tools and incorporating them into workflow * Strong understanding of animation ...

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

Expertise in 2D/3D tools (After Effects, Spine, Maya, Blender, etc.) * Experience creating animations in Unity or other real-time engines * Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player ...

Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation production and Tools * Familiarity with SyncSketch (or comparable online review/approval tools) * Proven track record creating animations for video ...

Preferably Blender/Cinema 4D/Maya * Spine Animation software a plus (not required) * Working knowledge of AI generative tools and incorporating them into workflow * Strong understanding of animation ...

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

Expertise in 2D/3D tools (After Effects, Spine, Maya, Blender, etc.) * Experience creating animations in Unity or other real-time engines * Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player ...

Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement animations in engine using expert skills in Maya and proprietary engine tools. * Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.

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How much do maya animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for maya animator 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.

What is a Maya animator?

A Maya Animator is a professional who uses Autodesk Maya to create 3D animations for films, video games, television, and other digital media. They bring characters, objects, and environments to life by manipulating movement, expressions, and timing. Maya Animators often work closely with modelers, riggers, and designers to ensure smooth, realistic motion that aligns with the creative vision. Strong knowledge of animation principles, keyframing, and motion dynamics is essential for success in this role.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Maya animator in a studio setting?

As a Maya Animator, your daily responsibilities often include creating and refining 3D character or object animations, collaborating with modelers and riggers, and participating in team reviews to receive and give feedback. You'll be expected to interpret storyboards, work closely with animation leads or directors, and possibly adjust your work based on evolving creative direction or technical constraints. Daily tasks may also involve troubleshooting animation issues, optimizing scenes for performance, and ensuring your animations fit seamlessly into the overall project pipeline. This collaborative and iterative workflow helps maintain a consistent visual style and quality throughout the production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Maya animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Maya Animator, you need strong artistic skills in animation principles, 3D modeling, and a solid understanding of human or creature motion, usually backed by a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Mastery of Autodesk Maya and familiarity with other tools such as Adobe After Effects or Unity, as well as a robust demo reel or portfolio, are standard requirements. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and the ability to take constructive feedback set exceptional candidates apart. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality animations that align with the vision of the project and contribute positively to dynamic production teams.

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What cities are hiring for Maya Animator jobs?

Cities with the most Maya Animator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Maya Animator jobs?

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What states have the most Maya Animator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Maya Animator jobs include:

Infographic showing various Maya Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA • On-site

Ember Lab
Motion Picture and Video Production • 1 - 10 employees

$88K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

At Ember Lab, our goal is to create powerful, transformative experiences that impact people for a lifetime. Having released our debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, in 2021 this journey is just beginning. We're looking for collaborative team members who share our passion for storytelling and are eager to help us shape the future of Ember Lab.


We believe a strong, collaborative environment is critical to creating memorable experiences. As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life!


Description

  • Create, test, and iterate on gameplay animations related to combat and interactive events
  • Integrate animations into game project and relevant animation systems
  • Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints.
  • Iterate and refine animations based on feedback from team members and playtesting.
  • Attend to bugs related to tasks and maintain relevant animation features
  • Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of animations.


Requirements

  • 5+ years of gameplay animation experience
  • Strong skills in animating body mechanics and action
  • 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+ title
  • Unreal Engine 4 or 5 experience


Location

  • In Office


To Apply

  • Please include a portfolio


Compensation Range

The standard annual base salary range for this role in the U.S. is $88,000 - $120,000 USD. Actual pay will vary depending on experience, qualifications, performance and location. The base salary range for locations outside of the U.S. will be adjusted according to location.


At Ember Lab, we like to keep things professional and straightforward when it comes to hiring. All of our recruitment happens through official channels like an Ember Lab email, our recruitment platform BambooHR, or LinkedIn.


If you ever get a message from someone claiming to be us through an unexpected or suspicious platform, it's probably not legit-feel free to ignore it or give us a heads-up at contact@emberlab.com.


We've got your back when it comes to keeping the process safe and secure!