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Remote Animation Studio Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Remote - US and Canada only thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly ... animation, rigging, FX, and material tests. * Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to ...

All JobsAnimation Studio JobsRemote Animation Studio JobsRemote Animation Studio Jobs in Chicago, IL

Remote Animation Studio information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11.3K

$177.7K

How much do remote animation studio jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote animation studio in Chicago, IL is $176,154.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $176,200.00 and $176,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do remote animation studios typically coordinate teamwork and maintain creative collaboration across different locations?

Remote animation studios usually rely on a combination of cloud-based project management tools, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration software to coordinate teamwork. Artists, animators, and production staff often meet virtually for daily or weekly check-ins, share feedback through annotated reviews, and use shared asset libraries to ensure everyone is working with the latest files. This setup allows for flexibility, but also requires strong communication skills and self-motivation to keep projects on track. Many studios also host virtual brainstorming sessions or social events to foster a sense of team spirit and creative synergy, despite the physical distance.

What is the difference between Remote Animation Studio vs Remote Character Animator?

AspectRemote Animation StudioRemote Character Animator
CredentialsPortfolio, animation software skillsPortfolio, animation software skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, project-basedIndividual work, project-based
Industry UsageAnimation studios, media companiesMedia, gaming, advertising
Common Search IntentFinding full-service animation providersSeeking specialized character animation roles

Remote Animation Studios are comprehensive entities offering a range of animation services, often employing multiple animators. Remote Character Animators focus specifically on bringing characters to life through individual or team work. While both roles require animation skills and software proficiency, studios emphasize project management and collaboration, whereas character animators concentrate on character-specific tasks.

What is a remote animation studio?

A remote animation studio is a company or team that creates animated content while working from different locations rather than a centralized office. Artists, animators, writers, and producers collaborate virtually using digital tools to produce films, series, advertisements, or games. This setup allows studios to tap into global talent, offer flexible work arrangements, and often reduce overhead costs. Communication, project management, and file sharing are handled through online platforms to ensure smooth collaboration and timely project delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a remote animation studio, and why are they important?

To excel in a remote animation studio, you need expertise in animation principles, strong artistic abilities, and experience with industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects and Autodesk Maya, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with collaborative platforms such as Slack, ShotGrid, and cloud-based asset management systems is also essential. Excellent communication, time management, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills for remote teamwork and meeting deadlines. These competencies ensure that high-quality animation projects are delivered efficiently while maintaining effective collaboration despite the physical distance.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL? For Remote Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Remote Animation Studio jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Remote Animation Studio job openings:
Remote Animation Studio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Animation Studio job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $176,154 per year, or $84.7 per hour.
Technical Artist

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$130K - $156K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Remote – US and Canada only

thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them.

We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.

Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide. If you’ve been wanting to have a positive impact on people's lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together.

Major Responsibilities

  • Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch
  • Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation and general art to support as the need arises.
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX, and material tests.
  • Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to help build and maintain a high-performance art pipeline from creation to final package delivery.
  • Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and technical art implementation.
  • Optimizing art content for performance.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Working in our proprietary engine, help to establish our material and vfx pipelines.
  • Document workflows and best practices for materials and vfx

Must-Haves

  • A good understanding of shaders (HLSL and/or GLSL) and ideally able to handle supporting c++ code for those prototypes or tools if required
  • Solid experience working with shader, materials and vfx in an industry standard or proprietary game engine
  • Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from concept to completion
  • Solid experience profiling and optimizing shaders and vfx on multiple platforms
  • 3-5 or more years experience as a Technical Artist
  • Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines
  • Proven experience building tools for modern art pipeline with a solid understanding of game engine scripting (ex. Unity, Unreal, Proprietary Engine)
  • Portfolio demonstrating the technical artistic ability, with a focus on custom shaders and vfx
  • Self-motivated and diligent, with established habits for tracking one’s own tasks and seeking out answers when needed

Nice to Haves

  • Writing c++ code would be a plus
  • Knowing Mel, Python, Lua, C++, is a plus
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, including character and environment systems
  • Strong communication skills and a positive and professional attitude
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in Computer Science, 3D graphics, or related field
  • Experience working with offsite art and programming teams

Perks:

  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
  • Pre-tax wellness stipend
  • Pre-tax work from home stipend
  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA)
  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services
  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
  • Support for personal professional development

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