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Maya Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

OR · On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Expert knowledge of Maya * Experience with creating and integrating scripted animations in engine * Passionate about games and the enthusiasm to make the best! * Strong problem-solving and ...

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Expert in Maya or equivalent 3D animation software. * Hands-on experience working in-engine, with focus on general state machine structures. * Proactive and self-directed, with a good sense of when ...

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 ...

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Maya Animator information

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How much do maya animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 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 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.

What is a Maya Animator job?

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.

More about Maya Animator jobs
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? The most popular types of Maya Animator jobs are:
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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 45% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 16% Temporary, 25% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Senior Technical Animation Designer

Senior Technical Animation Designer

2K

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining animation systems that drive the gameplay motion of our characters. This will include features that support major gameplay mechanics, such as locomotion and abilities, UI selection animations, and procedural solutions.

You will be a communication hub in addition to the technical aspect of the job. You'll need to ensure that everyone has the information they need to be successful. This role is focused on technical animation, but will also work with design and engineering teams to translate needs across those subject areas.

Who You Are:

  • Collaborate closely with teams across Animation, Engineering, and Design to help deliver a cohesive, high-quality animation style that supports an immersive gameplay experience.
  • Work with key stakeholders to define goals and implement scalable solutions that streamline animation content creation and integration.
  • Take initiative in building and refining animation systems, carefully balancing performance needs with desired in-game behaviors.
  • Provide and offer technical support and mentorship to animators, contributing to their development while promoting effective cross-disciplinary communication.
  • Regularly document processes and share insights to help improve team workflows and knowledge sharing.

What Will Make You a Great Fit:

  • 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, blendspaces, animation graphs)
  • Proficient with run-time and procedural animation tools such as IK, Control Rig, retargeting, ragdolls, and motion matching
  • Experienced in Unreal Engine (2+ years), including scripting with Blueprints and/or C++, and solid foundation in vector math and code concepts.
  • Skilled at bridging disciplines with strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
  • Continuously up to date with the latest in Unreal, Maya, and animation technologies; portfolio demonstrating expertise.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $108,900 and $161,160 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. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

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