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Motion Capture Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Motion Capture Operator for AI Robots

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

Perform manipulation and motion tasks -- assembling, sorting, packing, and handling everyday objects -- while wearing motion-capture and sensor equipment * Operate robotic manipulators through ...

Human Archive

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

You'll research emerging sensing technologies across RGB-D video, motion capture, IMUs, tactile sensing, audio, and wearable systems, and study how different sensor combinations impact robot learning ...

Human Archive

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

You'll research emerging sensing technologies across RGB-D video, motion capture, IMUs, tactile sensing, audio, and wearable systems, and study how different sensor combinations impact robot learning ...

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 ...

Human Archive

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

You will work directly on wearable sensing systems involving synchronized cameras, motion capture, tactile sensing, embedded compute, and power systems operating under real-world deployment ...

Skild AI

Senior Robot Animator

San Mateo, CA

$120K - $137K/yr

Author robot motion in Maya (or Blender) using keyframe, procedural, and capture-based techniques * Work with our robotics engineers to take motion from digital content creation (DCC) to real ...

Human Archive

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

You will work directly on wearable sensing systems involving synchronized cameras, motion capture, tactile sensing, embedded compute, and power systems operating under real-world deployment ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$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 ...

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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 Sep 5, 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 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.

What is a motion capture job?

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 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 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.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 59% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 14% 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.

Motion Capture Operator for AI Robots

Hire Aregio

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$30 - $38/hr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

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Job description

Data Collection Operator – Robotics
San Francisco, CA | In-Person | $32–$36/hour | 6-Month Contract


Help Shape the Future of Robotics

Our client, a leading AI company, is looking for hands-on, detail-oriented Data Collection Operators to join their robotics team. In this role, you'll perform precise manipulation and motion tasks that generate high-quality demonstration data — the kind of data that directly trains and improves next-generation robotic systems. If you have sharp hand-eye coordination, love working with cutting-edge tech, and take pride in doing careful, high-quality work, this is a rare chance to be part of the robotics data pipeline from the ground up.


What You'll Do

  • Perform manipulation and motion tasks — assembling, sorting, packing, and handling everyday objects — while wearing motion-capture and sensor equipment
  • Operate robotic manipulators through teleoperation interfaces, including VR headsets, leader-follower arms, and handheld controllers
  • Run daily setup, calibration, and shutdown of collection stations, confirming sensors, cameras, and rigs are recording correctly
  • Upload, tag, and validate collected data, flagging any failed, low-quality, or out-of-protocol sessions
  • Document hardware issues, dropped frames, or unclear instructions and communicate clearly with your Shift Lead and engineering team
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace
  • Participate in protocol reviews and pilot sessions as new tasks are introduced


What You Bring

  • Comfortable performing physically repetitive, precise tasks over multi-hour sessions
  • Strong hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness; quick to learn new physical tasks and workflows
  • Reliable and punctual, with the ability to follow written protocols exactly — and speak up when something isn't working
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills
  • Basic computer skills (file management, trackers, simple quality checks)
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach for most of an 8-hour shift; lift up to ~35 lbs occasionally; comfortable wearing a VR headset and body-worn sensors for extended periods
  • A genuine interest in robotics and AI, with a focus on quality over just volume


Preferred Experience

  • Background in robot teleoperation, motion-capture data collection, or similar work
  • Familiarity with VR interfaces, game controllers, haptic devices, or motion-tracking systems
  • Experience in warehouse/fulfillment, assembly, manufacturing, lab technician, or QA/test roles
  • Basic hardware/software troubleshooting (restart, re-pair, re-calibrate)


Work schedule

Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm (40 hours/week)


Why This Role

This is a hands-on opportunity to work at the intersection of robotics and AI, directly contributing to the data that powers real-world robotic systems — with a company at the forefront of the industry.