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Motion Capture Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Sonoma, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Alameda, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Sunnyvale, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

San Jose, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Hayward, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Fremont, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Santa Clara, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Santa Rosa, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

San Mateo, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion * Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages Requirements: * Minimum 5 years of professional ...

TekWissen ®

Capture System Engineer

Sausalito, CA · On-site

Assemble, debug and verify capture systems with predefined needs and specifications by collaborating with hardware engineers, motion capture vendors and internal engineering/research teams. * Test ...

New

OptiTrack

Technical Writer

Los Angeles, CA

About OptiTrack OptiTrack is a global leader in 3D motion tracking solutions, delivering high-performance motion capture systems for a wide range of applications including virtual production ...

OptiTrack

Technical Writer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

About OptiTrack OptiTrack is a global leader in 3D motion tracking solutions, delivering high-performance motion capture systems for a wide range of applications including virtual production ...

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 ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$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 ...

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 ...

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All JobsMotion Capture JobsMotion Capture Jobs in California

Motion Capture information

See California salary details

$24.5K

$125.2K

$213K

How much do motion capture jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for motion capture in California is $125,154.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,097.00 and $179,198.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by motion capture artists when collaborating with animation and game development teams?

Motion capture artists often encounter challenges in ensuring that captured performances align seamlessly with the creative vision of animation or game development teams. Differences in communication styles and varying technical requirements can sometimes cause misunderstandings or delays during production. To overcome these obstacles, motion capture professionals must be adaptable, actively seek feedback, and remain open to iterative processes. Regular collaboration with animators, directors, and technical staff is crucial for maintaining consistency and achieving high-quality results.

What Are Motion Capture Jobs?

Motion capture jobs, often shortened to mocap, focus on using a special camera and set of tracking systems to record movement for later animation. In this role, you may help supervise a motion capture project, guide actors, maintain the cameras and other technology, or use captured footage in various ways. Most motion capture jobs focus on television shows, movies, and video games, but companies occasionally use the technology for other purposes as well. These positions normally have regular hours, but employers may occasionally ask you to work overtime to meet deadlines for product releases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Motion Capture Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motion Capture Specialist, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, human anatomy, and often a background in computer graphics or related fields. Familiarity with motion capture systems (such as Vicon or OptiTrack), 3D animation software (like Maya or MotionBuilder), and sometimes relevant certifications are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data capture, efficient workflow, and seamless integration of motion capture into animation or visual effects pipelines.

What is the difference between Motion Capture vs 3D Animator?

AspectMotion Capture3D Animator
Required CredentialsOften requires knowledge of motion capture systems, sometimes certifications in motion capture technology or softwareTypically holds a degree in animation, computer graphics, or related fields; certifications in animation software are common
Work EnvironmentWorks in motion capture studios, on-set environments, or post-production facilitiesWorks in animation studios, post-production houses, or freelance settings
Industry UsageUsed primarily in film, gaming, and VR projects to record real actor movementsCreates animated characters and scenes, often based on motion capture data or from scratch

While both roles are integral to digital character creation, motion capture specialists focus on recording real actor movements using specialized equipment, whereas 3D animators craft and refine animated characters and scenes, often utilizing motion capture data as a foundation.

What is motion capture?

Motion capture, often abbreviated as 'mocap,' is a technology used to record the movement of objects or people. In the entertainment industry, it typically involves tracking an actor's movements using sensors or cameras, and then translating those movements onto digital characters in films, video games, or animations. This process allows for highly realistic and expressive character animations. Motion capture is also used in sports, medicine, and robotics to analyze motion and improve performance or research.
More about Motion Capture jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Capture jobs in California? The most popular types of Motion Capture jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Motion Capture jobs in California? For Motion Capture jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Motion Capture jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Capture jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Motion Capture jobs? Cities in California with the most Motion Capture job openings:
Motion Capture jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Capture job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 52% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,154 per year, or $60.2 per hour.
Senior Unreal Animator

Senior Unreal Animator

Evil Eye Pictures

Sonoma, CA • Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Founded in 2004, Evil Eye Pictures is a collaborative virtual studio bringing together some of the best content creators, innovators and engineers from around the globe. The team is focused on creating immersive, compelling visuals and experiences for the evolving world of real-time, multi-platform entertainment.


Evil Eye was founded by artists to work on high-profile, special projects while maintaining an emphasis on people and a positive, fun work culture.


Senior Unreal Animator (Contract)


Evil Eye Pictures is looking for an accomplished CG Character Animator. The ideal candidate will have minimum 5 years of professional experience in film, television and/or games, and a thorough understanding of the CG animation pipeline. A level of technical knowledge combined with strong creative and visual instincts is critical.


Key Responsibilities:


  • Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed techniques in Unreal
  • Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion
  • Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages


Requirements:


  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Animation, Games or Visual Effects
  • Experience keyframing character animation and working with motion capture data
  • Ability to collaborate and take direction from creative leads and the narrative team
  • Ability to work independently, problem solve on the fly, and collaborate efficiently across disciplines in a small, fast moving team
  • Experience with Unreal Engine, Unreal Control Rig and Sequencer


Good to have:


  • Proficiency with Maya
  • Experience using source control such as Perforce or Github
  • Experience rigging
  • Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools.
  • Python or similar coding skills


Additional Information


  • Portfolio: Please include a link to a reel of your work when applying for this position.
  • Location: This is a remote position supporting our Virtual Studio.
  • Contract Duration: 6/15-7/24 with hold to 8/7


For more information about Evil Eye check out: https://www.evileyepictures.com



CA Pay Transparency Information:

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Evil Eye's benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).


Pay Range: $40 -$65 / hour

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