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Motion Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobgether

$100K - $131K/yr

Apply keyframe and motion capture techniques effectively across different animation requirements. * Develop advanced expertise in Unreal Engine's animation tools and contribute to solving technical ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

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 ...

New

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism.Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Edit Motion Capture data to blend detailed character movement/facial with keyframe skills. * Work with the Lead Animator and other team members to help evolve our tools and pipeline. * Maintain the ...

NetEase Games

Character Performance Animator

Leverage experience from the film and game industries to optimize motion capture and keyframe animation pipelines, solve technical challenges, and enhance the overall quality and expressiveness of ...

Harvey Nash

Motion Designer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$85 - $91/hr

Summary We are seeking an experienced Animator/Motion Designer with a strong background in UI and interactive motion design for consumer-facing digital products. The ideal candidate will create ...

Big Shot Pictures

Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Experience working with motion capture systems and performance capture data. * Experience exporting, troubleshooting, and debugging skeletal and animation data in real-time engines. * Familiarity ...

IDW

Motion Designer

Oakland, CA · On-site

W work collaboratively with clients, internal designers, and production artists to create stand-alone animations and compelling high-quality videos. The role includes start-to-finish motion design ...

IGT

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player-driven animation design * Ability to collaborate, give/receive feedback, and raise the bar creatively Keys to Success Building collaborative ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism. * Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player-driven animation design * Ability to collaborate, give/receive feedback, and raise the bar creatively Keys to Success Building collaborative ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Use motion capture, video, and thumbnail sketches as reference for your process * Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level * Provide ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Utilize motion capture data and hand-keyed facial animation techniques for realism. * Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation ...

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Motion Animator information

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How much do motion animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for motion 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 motion animator?

Motion Animators are creative professionals who design, create, and animate moving graphics and visual effects for various media, such as films, television, video games, advertisements, and online content. They use specialized software to bring characters, objects, and scenes to life by adding movement, transitions, and dynamic elements. Motion Animators often work closely with directors, designers, and editors to ensure their animations support the overall visual storytelling. Their skills blend art, design, and technical expertise to produce engaging and visually appealing content.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a motion animator?

To excel as a Motion Animator, you need strong artistic abilities, proficiency in animation principles, and a relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating your skills. Mastery of tools like Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and other industry-standard animation software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with teams and interpreting feedback. These competencies are crucial for producing visually compelling animations that meet project goals and client expectations.

What are some common challenges motion animators face when working on collaborative projects?

Motion Animators often work as part of larger creative teams, including designers, directors, and sound engineers. A common challenge is ensuring that animation sequences align with the overall project vision and timing, especially when multiple people contribute assets or feedback. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as project requirements and creative directions can change quickly. Additionally, managing tight deadlines and balancing multiple revisions are typical aspects of the role, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills.

What is the difference between Motion Animator vs 2D Animator?

AspectMotion Animator2D Animator
Required SkillsAnimation, motion graphics, software proficiency (After Effects, Cinema 4D)Drawing, illustration, animation software (Photoshop, Animate)
Work EnvironmentFilm, advertising, digital media projectsTV, film, web animations
CertificationsRelevant animation or motion design certificationsArt or animation degrees, portfolios

While both roles involve creating animated content, a Motion Animator specializes in bringing motion graphics to life using advanced software and techniques, often focusing on digital media and advertising. A 2D Animator primarily creates traditional or digital 2D animations, emphasizing drawing skills and illustration. Both roles require strong animation skills, but Motion Animators tend to work more with motion graphics and visual effects, whereas 2D Animators focus on character animation and storytelling.

More about Motion Animator jobs

What job categories do people searching Motion Animator jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Motion Animator jobs are:

Motion Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Intern - Animator and Rigging Artist

Human Computer Lab

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Internship

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Human Computer Lab is a research lab building character robots that feel alive and responsive. Our first robot, LeLamp, explores a new category of consumer robotics where everyday objects become interactive and help us reshape our attachment to technology.
Our goal is to push the frontier of human-robot interaction by making technology more legible, emotionally intuitive, and human-centered. We are building the foundation for a new generation of robots designed for everyday environments.
What to expect
We're looking for a technical animator to rig LeLamp, our first robot, and own the animation pipeline that brings it to life on physical hardware people will actually live with. This role sits at an unusual intersection: the technical depth to build a rig that maps onto real joint constraints and actuator limits, and the creative sensibility to design motion that feels intentional and warm, shaping whether the robot comes across as alive or mechanical. You'll work closely with the CEO and engineers to translate design intent into motion that runs on the robot itself, not just in a viewport.
In this role, you will:
  • Build and maintain the robot rig, defining joint hierarchies, constraints, and control structures aligned with hardware limits
  • Design and animate behaviors including idle motion, reactions, transitions, gestures, and interaction sequences
  • Work with controls and firmware engineers to translate animation intent into real robot motion
  • Stay aligned with mechanical updates and maintain the rig as the platform evolves
  • Maintain a URDF-compatible or simulation-ready representation of the robot
  • Help define the robot's motion language and expressive vocabulary
  • Build internal tools, workflows, and documentation for the animation pipeline
  • Evaluate animations on physical hardware and iterate until intent translates reliably

You may be a good fit if you:
  • Have professional experience as a technical animator or rigger with a strong rigging and animation portfolio
  • Are fluent in Maya, Blender, or similar DCC tools and can build production-quality rigs from scratch
  • Understand animation principles such as timing, weight, anticipation, and follow-through
  • Have experience rigging mechanical or non-organic subjects with real-world constraints
  • Have strong intuition for what makes motion feel alive rather than mechanical
  • Are comfortable building pipelines in environments where they don't yet exist
  • Have experience animating robots, mechanical characters, or non-humanoid subjects
  • Have exposure to procedural animation, motion graphs, or behavior trees
  • Are familiar with URDF, ROS, or simulators such as Gazebo, MuJoCo, or Isaac Sim
  • Have experience working in Unity, Unreal, or other real-time animation environments
  • Have experience collaborating with engineering teams on hardware or robotics projects

You will be a strong fit, if you:
  • Care deeply about motion as a form of communication
  • See constraints like joint limits and actuator bandwidth as part of the creative process
  • Take ownership of the robot's motion language from keyframe to hardware execution
  • Work well in small, collaborative teams across animation, engineering, and design
  • Want to create motion for a physical object that lives in someone's home, not just on a screen

The early team becomes the DNA of the company. We set ourselves and others to a high standard, and we respond with kindness when things get hard but keep everyone accountable. This requires us to be curious, creative, and diverse in our thinking and approach.
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria - we don't want that to be the reason we miss out on great talent.

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