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Pipeline Developer Animation Jobs in San Rafael, CA

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA

$119K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA

$119K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

Senior Software Engineer, Graphics

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... animations, transforms, deltas, and dependency graphs across local and networked execution ... Pipeline Mindset: You understand the full asset lifecycle-from authoring through import, batching ...

... app developers market and grow their global user base. We are one of the few agencies that are ... Animation Manage tight delivery pipelines and schedules to ensure deadlines are met Design and ...

Software Engineer - Graphics & Media

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Within Creation Engine's Rendering & Animation org, the Pixel Engine team focuses on platform level ... Supporting new client-side Media features (e.g. image processing pipelines) * Improving the ...

... app developers market and grow their global user base. We are one of the few agencies that are ... Animation Manage tight delivery pipelines and schedules to ensure deadlines are met Design and ...

As a leading provider of world-class art, animation, VFX, and engineering services for the video ... Optimize content and campaigns for lead generation, conversion, and pipeline acceleration. Events ...

Principal Engineer, Unity Rewards

San Francisco, CA

$179K - $269K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The opportunity We are looking for a Principal Mobile App Developer to architect and lead the ... Connect the consumer app directly into Unity's backend event-pipelines and ML attribution models ...

Showing results 21-40

Pipeline Developer Animation information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

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$56

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How much do pipeline developer animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for pipeline developer animation in San Rafael, CA is $56.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59.47 and $65.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a pipeline developer animation?

To thrive as a Pipeline Developer in Animation, you need strong programming skills (especially in Python), understanding of animation workflows, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Maya, Houdini, Shotgun, and version control systems is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure the smooth integration and automation of processes, enabling artists and technical teams to work efficiently and deliver high-quality animated content.

What is a pipeline developer animation?

Pipeline Developers in animation are technical professionals who design, implement, and maintain the software tools and workflows that connect various stages of the animation production process. They ensure that artists, animators, and technical directors can move assets and data seamlessly between different software applications and departments. Their work helps to automate repetitive tasks, fix bottlenecks, and improve production efficiency. Pipeline Developers often write scripts, develop plugins, and provide technical support to the team throughout the animation pipeline.

What is the difference between Pipeline Developer Animation vs Pipeline TD?

AspectPipeline Developer AnimationPipeline TD
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Animation, or related fieldBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, VFX companies, game developmentVFX studios, animation houses, game studios
Industry UsageFocuses on animation pipeline tools and workflowsFocuses on technical pipeline automation and software integration

While both roles involve pipeline development, the Pipeline Developer Animation specializes in creating and maintaining workflows specific to animation and visual effects, whereas the Pipeline TD focuses on automating and integrating technical pipelines across various production stages. Both roles require strong scripting skills and industry experience but differ in their primary focus areas within the production pipeline.

What are common challenges pipeline developers face in animation studios, and how can they overcome them?

Pipeline Developers in animation studios often encounter challenges such as integrating new tools with legacy systems, ensuring smooth data flow between departments, and supporting diverse artist workflows. To overcome these, it’s important to maintain clear documentation, collaborate closely with artists and technical directors, and stay adaptable to rapidly evolving production needs. Regular communication with end users and iterative testing can help ensure the pipeline remains efficient and user-friendly.

What are popular job titles related to Pipeline Developer Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA?

For Pipeline Developer Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pipeline Developer Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Pipeline Developer Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Pipeline Developer Animation jobs?

Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Pipeline Developer Animation job openings:

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Cloud Chamber

Novato, CA • On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for expanding and building on the ideas of player expression and emergent design experiences. Utilizing your deep knowledge of Unreal Engine, you will develop interactive AI characters to support the overall creative vision for our project, ensuring that our ambitious design goals are achieved and ultimately bring the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Work with the Leads, Design Director, and the design team to pitch and develop interactive AI characters and execute the vision for the game.
  • Act as the primary owner of AI and combat implementation in cross-disciplinary pods.
  • Develop working prototypes of AI and combat scenarios.
  • Communicate progress, workflows, and availability of AI and combat standards to content developers.
  • Maintain and tune assigned combat AI behavior and parameters through to project completion.
  • Create detailed and easy-to-follow design documentation.
  • Collaborate across development sites in Novato and Montreal on a day-to-day basis.
  • Expand and build on the ideas of player expression and emergent design experiences.
  • Use your creativity to execute on design goals and solve design challenges that push our games forward.
  • Participate in brainstorm sessions, refine, and execute on ideas within a schedule.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to execute on design implementation and problem solving.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles.
In this combat design capacity, you will support the Creative Director's vision, ensuring creative intent is translated into a performant reality while taking ownership of complex design challenges.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped at least one AAA title as a designer responsible for AI combatants.
  • 5+ years professional experience in video game design.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience working with a variety of established game toolsets.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-disciplinary groups and across multi-site team settings.
  • Deep understanding of game mechanics, combat systems, and AI NPC design.
  • Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.
  • Strong presentation skills.
  • Current knowledge of gaming industry development landscape, technology and tools.
  • Understanding of how AI, tactical space, and player verbs combine to create magic in both scripted and unscripted settings.
  • In-depth knowledge of industry standard AI, progression systems, and player mechanics features.

Who You Are:
  • A strong empathetic team member, able to take ownership over your tasks and mentor more junior designers.
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • A persistent and self-motivated person with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
#LI-Hybrid
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 and $148,320 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts