2

Remote Game Animation Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Remote - US and Canada only thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly ... Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation ...

Remote Game Animation information

What is remote game animation?

Remote game animation involves creating animated characters, environments, and visual effects for video games while working from a location outside of a traditional office, such as from home. Animators collaborate with game designers, developers, and artists using digital tools and cloud-based platforms to produce animations that enhance gameplay and storytelling. This setup allows for flexible schedules and the opportunity to work with studios around the world, but also requires strong communication skills and self-motivation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote game animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Game Animator, you need strong artistic ability, proficiency in animation principles, and experience with 2D or 3D animation, typically supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Unity or Unreal Engine is essential, as well as knowledge of digital collaboration platforms. Creativity, self-discipline, effective communication, and time management are crucial soft skills for remote collaboration and meeting project milestones. These skills and tools ensure high-quality animations, seamless teamwork, and the timely delivery of engaging game experiences in a distributed work environment.

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

AspectRemote Game AnimationRemote Character Animator
Required SkillsAnimation, game engines, storytellingCharacter rigging, facial expressions, motion capture
Work EnvironmentGame studios, freelance, remote teamsAnimation studios, freelance, remote work
Industry UsageVideo games, interactive mediaFilm, TV, video games
Common Search IntentGame animation jobs, remote game animatorCharacter animation jobs, remote character animator

Remote Game Animation focuses on creating animated sequences specifically for video games, involving game engine integration and interactive storytelling. Remote Character Animator specializes in bringing characters to life through detailed facial and body animations, often for films or cutscenes. While both roles require strong animation skills, Remote Game Animators emphasize gameplay and engine compatibility, whereas Remote Character Animators focus on character performance and expressions.

How do remote game animators typically collaborate with other members of the development team?

Remote game animators often use a combination of project management tools, version control systems, and regular video meetings to collaborate with designers, programmers, and art directors. Communication is typically structured around daily stand-ups or weekly sprint reviews to ensure that animation assets align closely with gameplay and visual requirements. Sharing progress through cloud-based platforms allows for seamless feedback and revisions, helping animators stay connected despite working from different locations. Building strong relationships and clear communication channels is key to overcoming the challenges of remote teamwork in game development.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Animation jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Game Animation jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Game Animation jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Game Animation jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Remote Game Animation jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Remote Game Animation job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Game Animation job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$130K - $156K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 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