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Motion Capture Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Insight Global

Data Creator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

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 ...

2K

Technical Stage Manager

Petaluma, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Insight Global

AI Robotics Data Collector

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $33/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

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 ...

2K

Technical Stage Manager

Petaluma, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Insight Global

Data Creator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $33/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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 ...

ALTEN

Data Collection Operator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$28.50/hr

Collect data in a motion capture setup (gloves and/or vest), doing tasks with their own hands * Perform some simple annotations and quality control on the data they collect * Write daily reports for ...

Figure

Helix Data Creator

San Jose, CA

$33/hr

Prior robotics or motion-capture exposure * Military background * A genuine passion for robotics and helping scale the deployment of humanoid robots This role begins as a six-month fixed-term ...

Figure

Helix Data Creator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$33/hr

Prior robotics or motion-capture exposure * Military background * A genuine passion for robotics and helping scale the deployment of humanoid robots This role begins as a six-month fixed-term ...

Tesla

Data Collection Operator, Optimus

San Diego, CA · On-site

$23.99 - $32.77/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Wear motion capture equipment while performing designated movements and actions based on project requirements * Start/stop recording devices and perform minor equipment and software debugging

Tesla

Data Collection Operator, Optimus

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$25.25 - $34.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Wear motion capture equipment while performing designated movements and actions based on project requirements * Start/stop recording devices and perform minor equipment and software debugging

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Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 16, 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.

How to get a career in motion capture?

To pursue a career in motion capture, develop skills in 3D animation, programming, or related fields, and gain experience with motion capture hardware and software such as Vicon or OptiTrack. A background in computer science, animation, or biomechanics, along with a portfolio demonstrating relevant work, can improve job prospects. Entry-level roles often require a bachelor's degree and familiarity with industry tools and techniques.

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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $125,154 per year, or $60.2 per hour.

Data Creator

Insight Global

San Jose, CA • On-site

$29/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

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, and sustained focus

Quick to master new physical tasks and find the most efficient way to perform them

Open to constructive feedback and motivated to keep improving

Strong attendance and punctuality; reliable, accountable, and able to work both independently and within a small team

Reliable transportation, and able to travel to different work sites around the Bay Area or LA (locations change regularly)

Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment with shifting priorities

Height requirement of 5'10" maximum due to product dimensions.


Nice to Have Skills & Experience


Technical or hands-on background (electronics, mechanical, IT, fabrication, etc.)

Hardware/software troubleshooting experience

VR headset experience and/or extensive video-game experience (great proxies for spatial tracking and hand-eye coordination)

Prior robotics or motion-capture exposure

Military background

A genuine passion for robotics and helping scale the deployment of humanoid robots


Job Description


Insight Global is looking for Creators to join one of the fastest growing Humanoid Robotics companies in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. This 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're hiring Helix Data Creators to power our humanoid robot development. In this hands-on role, you'll wear company provided sensor equipment to guide robots through human-like motions and collect the high-quality motion data that trains our AI models.


This is a full-time 6 month fixed-term position, paid hourly. It's a strong entry point into robotics: high-performing Creators have opportunities to grow into Senior Creator and other lead positions as they become available.


Schedule: This is a 24/7 operation staffed across multiple rotating shifts (Day, Swing, and Night). Specific hours are listed below. 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:

Data collection: Wear sensor suits to perform repetitive, precise physical movements (walking, lifting, reaching) that guide the robot and generate training data, for up to 8 hours per shift.

SOP adherence: Follow detailed "Ground Truth" movement protocols exactly, with zero deviation, to keep data consistent and high quality.

Equipment care: Help with donning and doffing sensor suits, follow proper setup and shutdown procedures, and promptly report any hardware issues to your Inventory Team Lead.

Feedback & quality: Flag bugs or issues during collection, share daily feedback to improve the process, and work comfortably toward daily data-collection targets.

Safety: Keep a clean, organized workspace and follow ergonomic guidelines to stay safe during repetitive tasks. We want you to speak up early about anything that doesn't feel right.


Pay rate: $30/hr for day & swing shift, $33/hr for night shift