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Mocap Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Develop and refine motion retargeting pipelines to translate human demonstration data (mocap, teleoperation) into robust reference trajectories for reinforcement learning. SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Develop and refine motion retargeting pipelines to translate human demonstration data (mocap, teleoperation) into robust reference trajectories for reinforcement learning. * Collaborate closely with ...

$80/hr

Collaborates with Character Art, Animation, and Engineering teams to deliver the highest quality assets with animator/mocap friendly interfaces that run smoothly in engine * Contributes to automated ...

Collaborates with Character Art, Animation, and Engineering teams to deliver the highest quality assets with animator/mocap friendly interfaces that run smoothly in engine * Contributes to automated ...

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Mocap information

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$19

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How much do mocap jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for mocap in the United States is $39.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mocap job?

Mocap jobs refer to positions involved with motion capture technology, which is used to record and translate the movement of people or objects to digital models. These roles can include motion capture actors, technicians, animators, and data processors. Mocap professionals work in industries like video games, film, animation, and virtual reality to create realistic character movements and performances. Their work is essential for bringing digital characters to life with natural and believable motion.

What are some common challenges faced by motion capture professionals during a production, and how can they be addressed?

Motion capture professionals often encounter challenges such as managing technical glitches with equipment, ensuring accurate marker placement on actors, and adapting to last-minute changes in choreography or direction. Working closely with animators, directors, and technical staff is crucial to quickly troubleshoot issues and maintain smooth workflows. Clear communication and a strong understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of mocap help professionals anticipate problems and implement effective solutions, ensuring high-quality data capture throughout the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a motion capture technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motion Capture (Mocap) Technician, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, digital content creation, and typically a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Familiarity with mocap hardware, software like Vicon or MotionBuilder, and video editing tools is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are key soft skills for collaborating with actors and production teams. These competencies ensure high-quality data capture, efficient workflows, and seamless integration of mocap assets into animation projects.

What is the difference between Mocap vs Motion Capture Technician?

AspectMocapMotion Capture Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a background in animation, computer science, or related fields; certifications in motion capture technology are commonRequires similar technical skills, often with certifications in motion capture systems and equipment handling
Work EnvironmentWorks in studios or on location with motion capture suits and equipmentOperates and maintains motion capture systems, troubleshooting hardware and software issues
Industry UsageUsed in film, video games, and VR for capturing movement dataSupports the setup, calibration, and operation of motion capture systems in production environments

The main difference is that Mocap refers broadly to the process of capturing movement data, often performed by specialists or artists, while a Motion Capture Technician focuses specifically on operating and maintaining the equipment involved in the process. Both roles require technical knowledge and work in similar environments, but the technician role emphasizes system management and troubleshooting.

How much do mocap people make?

Motion capture (mocap) performers typically earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, project scope, and union status. Salaries can range from around $40,000 to over $100,000 annually for full-time roles, especially with specialized skills and equipment knowledge.

How to get a career in motion capture?

To pursue a career in motion capture, develop skills in 3D animation, programming, or related fields, and gain experience with mocap equipment and software such as Vicon or OptiTrack. Building a portfolio and networking within the industry can also improve job prospects, often requiring a background in visual effects, gaming, or film production. Certifications or training programs in motion capture technology can further enhance employability.
More about Mocap jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Mocap jobs?

The most popular types of Mocap jobs are:

What states have the most Mocap jobs?

States with the most job openings for Mocap jobs include:

Infographic showing various Mocap job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 14% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,070 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer

Austin, TX • On-site

Apptronik
Industrial Automation Equipment Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees

$103K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer is a key, hands-on role focused on achieving state-of-the-art performance on our humanoid robots. This engineer will leverage their deep expertise in RL to solve critical locomotion and manipulation challenges and deliver breakthrough results on physical hardware. The primary focus of this role is to rapidly implement, iterate, and deploy advanced learning algorithms to push the boundaries of what our robots can do. As a senior member of the team, this individual will also be responsible for mentoring junior engineers, elevating the team's overall technical capabilities through their guidance and expertise.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • Implement and deploy state-of-the-art RL algorithms to achieve ambitious, world-class performance on dynamic locomotion and manipulation tasks with physical hardware.
  • Drive the entire development cycle, from prototyping in simulation to robustly transferring and fine-tuning policies on the robot.
  • Optimize and scale the RL training pipeline for faster iteration, contributing to core infrastructure for high-throughput simulation and distributed training.
  • Mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance, conducting insightful code reviews, and sharing best practices in reinforcement learning and software development.
  • Collaborate closely with the robotics and hardware teams to diagnose system-level issues and co-develop solutions that enable more complex learned behaviors.
  • Analyze and present hardware results to guide future technical directions and demonstrate progress on key company objectives.
  • Develop and refine motion retargeting pipelines to translate human demonstration data (mocap, teleoperation) into robust reference trajectories for reinforcement learning.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • Deep, hands-on expertise (5+ years) with common RL frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX) and high-fidelity physics simulators (e.g., MuJoCo, IsaacGym)
  • Mastery of Python for rapid prototyping and training, alongside strong proficiency in C++ for developing performant, deployable code.
  • Experience building or utilizing large-scale, distributed training pipelines and a strong intuition for their optimization.
  • A strong theoretical understanding of modern reinforcement learning, including deep expertise in areas like imitation learning, model-based RL, and sim-to-real transfer techniques.
  • A strong intuition for robot dynamics and controls theory, with the ability to apply these principles to guide and constrain learning-based approaches.
  • A results-oriented mindset with a passion for seeing complex algorithms work on real-world hardware.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • A PhD or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, with 2+ years industry experience strongly preferred.
  • A proven track record of successfully deploying learning-based policies on physical robotic systems, especially legged robots or manipulators.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers in a team environment.
  • A strong publication record in relevant conferences or journals (e.g., CoRL, RSS, ICRA) is a significant plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
  • Hearing and speech to communicate

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.