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Motion Capture Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Familiarity with motion capture or wearable sensor hardware * Experience in high-growth startup operations. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $40/hr. The pay offered for this ...

Familiarity with motion capture or wearable sensor hardware * Experience in high-growth startup operations. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $40/hr. The pay offered for this ...

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 ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123 - $182/hr

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 ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท Remote

$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 ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

We love the art and technology of motion capture and have a lot of fun, all while having a true team spirit. We foster an environment based on honesty and integrity; being capable in oneself as well ...

AI Robot Data Collector

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $33/hr

Wear motion-capture suits and VR equipment ???? Perform guided movements and activities that help train AI-powered robots ???? Stay active throughout the shift, including standing, walking, bending ...

We love the art and technology of motion capture and have a lot of fun, all while having a true team spirit. We foster an environment based on honesty and integrity; being capable in oneself as well ...

Data Creator

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$25 - $33/hr

Able to perform repetitive movements and full-range limb motions required for motion-capture across an 8+ hour shift * Excellent physical coordination, spatial awareness, and sustained focus * Quick ...

Data Creator

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$25 - $33/hr

Able to perform repetitive movements and full-range limb motions required for motion-capture across an 8+ hour shift * Excellent physical coordination, spatial awareness, and sustained focus * Quick ...

Senior Robot Animator

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $300K/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 ...

Data Creator

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$33/hr

Required Skills & Experience Able to perform repetitive movements and full-range limb motions required for motion-capture across an 8+ hour shift Excellent physical coordination, spatial awareness ...

Showing results 21-40

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.

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 cities in California are hiring for Motion Capture jobs?

Cities in California with the most Motion Capture job openings:

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.

Project Coordinator, Data Creators

Figure

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$40/hr

Full-time, Other

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Figure is an AI Robotics company developing autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots. The goal of the company is to ship humanoid robots with human level intelligence. Its robots are engineered to perform a variety of tasks in the home and commercial markets. We are building the data foundation that powers our humanoid robots. The Data Operations team creates and curates the training data our AI systems learn from, and the Data Creators organization owns how that data gets captured, at what volume, and to what standard, across our sites.

As a Project Coordinator, you'll own a data collection project end to end, from setup through delivery. You'll be the primary point of contact between project execution and Helix engineering, translating data requirements into a capture plan the team can run, keeping delivery on schedule, and clearing the infrastructure and hardware issues that get in the way. You'll work closely with your Data Quality counterpart to catch and resolve issues at data creation time.

Schedule: This is a 24/7 operation staffed across multiple rotating shifts (Day, Swing, and Night). Specific hours are listed below. Night-shift hours are eligible for a $3/hr differential. Some flexibility for rotation may be required.

  • Day Shift - 6:30 am - 3 pm
  • Swing Shift - 2:30 pm - 11 pm
  • Night Shift - 10:30 pm - 7 am

Responsibilities:ย 

  • Own a data collection project end to end, from setup through delivery, against timeline and quality targets.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with a Helix engineer for your project, and translate data requirements into an executable capture plan.
  • Ensure on-time delivery of your project's data; track progress and manage dependencies.
  • Highlight and resolve infrastructure, hardware, and facilities issues that block capture.
  • Partner with the Data Quality team to catch and resolve issues at data creation time.
  • Write and maintain project-level SOPs, and update them through post-project retros.
  • Contribute to task design and capture setup for your project type.
  • Manage direct reports where applicable, including structured performance reviews.

Requirements:

  • 2+ years in operations, data collection, production coordination, or a related field, with demonstrated ownership of a project or workstream end to end.
  • Experience keeping a project on schedule and managing dependencies across people, hardware, and facilities.
  • Experience writing or maintaining SOPs that other people executed against.
  • Comfort working directly with engineering or technical stakeholders to translate requirements into operational guidance.
  • Clear communication and the ability to be the single point of contact for a project.
  • People management experience, or readiness to take on direct reports.

Bonus Qualifications:ย 

  • Background in robotics, autonomous systems, motion capture, or physical AI data.
  • Familiarity with motion capture or wearable sensor hardware
  • Experience in high-growth startup operations.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $40/hr.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.ย