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Motion Capture Animation 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 · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning. * Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning. * Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning. * Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning. * Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Strong Camera, Character Animation, and Motion Capture editing skills. * Proficient in animating stylized character animation. * Strong communication skills in client-facing situations, including but ...

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 ...

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Motion Capture Animation information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do motion capture animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for motion capture 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.

What is motion capture animation?

Motion capture animation, often called 'mocap,' is a technique used to record the movements of real actors and translate them into digital character animations. This technology uses specialized suits and sensors to capture an actor's motions, which are then mapped onto 3D models in computer graphics software. It's widely used in film, video games, and virtual reality to create realistic and lifelike character movements. Motion capture helps animators save time and achieve a higher level of realism than manual animation alone.

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

To thrive as a Motion Capture Animator, you need expertise in animation principles, an understanding of human movement, and a background in computer graphics or a related field. Proficiency with motion capture software (such as Vicon, OptiTrack, or MotionBuilder) and familiarity with 3D animation tools like Maya or Blender is essential. Strong collaboration, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately capturing, refining, and translating real-world performances into compelling digital animations for films, games, and virtual experiences.

How do motion capture animators typically collaborate with directors and actors during a production?

Motion capture animators work closely with directors and actors to ensure movements are accurately captured and match the creative vision of the project. Animators often attend rehearsals, provide feedback on performance capture, and help set up technical equipment. They collaborate with directors to discuss shot composition and storytelling, while guiding actors on how to perform for optimal data capture. This collaborative process ensures that the final animation integrates seamlessly with the project's artistic goals.

What is the difference between Motion Capture Animation vs Character Animator?

AspectMotion Capture AnimationCharacter Animator
Required CredentialsOften requires knowledge of motion capture systems, animation software, and sometimes specialized certificationsRequires skills in animation software, storytelling, and character rigging, with some familiarity with motion capture data
Work EnvironmentStudio settings with motion capture suits and equipment, often collaborativeDesktop-based, working with animation software, sometimes in a studio or remote
Industry UsageUsed in film, video games, and VR to create realistic character movementsUsed in film, TV, and game development for character animation and performance

Motion Capture Animation focuses on capturing real actor movements using specialized equipment, translating them into digital animations. Character Animators create performances manually or refine motion capture data to animate characters. While both roles involve character animation, motion capture specialists work primarily with physical data capture, whereas character animators focus on artistic interpretation and manual animation techniques.

More about Motion Capture Animation jobs

What cities are hiring for Motion Capture Animation jobs?

Cities with the most Motion Capture Animation job openings:

What states have the most Motion Capture Animation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Motion Capture Animation jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Motion Capture Animation jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Motion Capture Animation jobs are:

Motion Capture Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Capture Animation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Senior Animator

On-site, Remote

Jobgether
See more jobs at Jobgetherexternal

$100K - $131K/yr

Full-time

PTO

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Animator based in Netherlands.

This is an opportunity for an experienced animator to contribute to the development of a major upcoming game project.
You will create polished, expressive animation for characters, creatures, and gameplay assets across a globally distributed team.
The role combines creative craft with technical collaboration, working closely with art, design, narrative, engineering, and technical art.
You will help establish a high visual and technical standard while contributing to efficient animation workflows and pipelines.
The position offers the opportunity to work across both keyframe and motion capture techniques in Unreal Engine.
You will also mentor other team members, provide feedback, and help continuously improve the quality of the animation discipline.
The ideal candidate is curious, self-driven, collaborative, and passionate about creating memorable interactive experiences.

Accountabilities
  • Create high-quality animations that meet the project's artistic, gameplay, and technical requirements while setting a strong visual standard for the team.
  • Collaborate with animation leadership and Technical Art to improve tools, technology, implementation support, workflows, and production efficiency.
  • Partner with design and narrative teams to ensure characters, creatures, and animated gameplay assets are responsive, expressive, and aligned with the intended player experience.
  • Manage personal production workload and time effectively to meet milestones while maintaining consistently high-quality output.
  • Contribute to the improvement of animation processes, pipelines, documentation, and production workflows.
  • 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 animation challenges.
  • Review and iterate on animation assets based on feedback, while providing constructive input on team work when appropriate.
  • Mentor junior animators and help establish high standards for animation quality, aesthetics, and production practices.
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose animation issues, working collaboratively with technical and creative teams to resolve problems.
  • Stay current with animation trends, techniques, and industry practices while continuously developing your craft.
  • Take initiative, experiment with new approaches, and contribute ideas that improve responsiveness, expressiveness, and overall player experience.
Requirements
  • 7+ years of professional experience as an animator, including experience shipping at least one Unreal Engine title in an animation role.
  • Strong hands-on proficiency with Unreal Engine and its animation tools.
  • Advanced experience with Blender and other relevant animation software.
  • Extensive knowledge of animation pipelines, production workflows, and asset development processes.
  • Strong understanding of art fundamentals and the ability to demonstrate excellent aesthetic judgment.
  • Experience with both keyframe and motion capture animation techniques.
  • Strong documentation, debugging, troubleshooting, and animation problem-solving skills.
  • Proven ability to mentor junior team members and help establish high standards for quality and execution.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to independently manage workload, priorities, and deadlines.
  • Highly collaborative and comfortable working effectively within a globally distributed, remote team.
  • Self-motivated, curious, adaptable, and willing to experiment, take calculated risks, and learn from failure.
  • Advanced Blender expertise is preferred.
  • Experience creating creature or non-bipedal animation is preferred.
  • First-person animation experience is a plus.
  • A portfolio demonstrating relevant animation work and shipped or production-quality projects is expected.
Benefits
  • Full-time opportunity within a globally distributed, remote team.
  • Opportunity to contribute to a major game project and create engaging player experiences.
  • Annual professional development support to encourage continued learning and career growth.
  • Home office stipend to support an effective remote working environment.
  • Paid time off for volunteer and nonprofit activities.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals across animation, art, design, narrative, engineering, and technical disciplines.
  • Supportive environment focused on creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Opportunity to mentor others while further developing senior-level animation and technical skills.
  • Competitive compensation; for California-based employees, the stated expected salary range is $100,000-$131,000, with actual compensation determined by factors such as experience, education, skills, and location.
  • Commitment to equal employment opportunity and inclusion for qualified applicants.
How Jobgether works:
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
 Why Apply Through Jobgether? 
 
Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.
 
 
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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