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Remote Gaming Animation Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 Gaming Animation information

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a remote gaming animator?

To thrive as a Remote Gaming Animator, you need a solid background in animation principles, experience with 2D/3D animation, and a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Adobe After Effects, as well as understanding of game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and collaboration skills are essential for working effectively with remote teams. These skills ensure high-quality, engaging animations that enhance gameplay experiences while meeting project deadlines and team goals.

What are common challenges faced by remote gaming animators and how can they be managed?

Remote gaming animators often encounter challenges related to communication and feedback, as animation work is highly collaborative and visual. Ensuring alignment with the creative vision can be tricky without in-person meetings. To manage these challenges, it’s important to establish clear channels for regular video calls, share progress through screen recordings or live sessions, and use project management tools for task tracking. Proactive communication and thorough documentation help maintain workflow efficiency and keep everyone on the same page.

What is the difference between Remote Gaming Animation vs Remote 3D Modeler?

AspectRemote Gaming AnimationRemote 3D Modeler
Required SkillsAnimation software, storytelling, character movement3D modeling, texturing, sculpting
Work EnvironmentGame studios, freelance, remote teamsGame studios, freelance, remote teams
Industry UsageVideo games, virtual experiencesVideo games, simulations, virtual assets
CertificationsAnimation courses, portfolio3D modeling courses, portfolio

Remote Gaming Animation focuses on creating animated sequences and character movements for games, emphasizing storytelling and motion. Remote 3D Modelers specialize in building and texturing 3D assets used within games. While both roles require 3D software skills and often work remotely within the gaming industry, their core tasks differ: animation versus modeling. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers target the right roles and skills for their careers in game development.

What is remote gaming animation?

Remote gaming animation refers to the process of creating animated graphics, characters, and effects for video games while working from a location outside of a traditional studio setting, often from home. Remote gaming animators use digital tools and collaborate with teams online to design and implement animations that bring games to life. This role requires strong artistic skills, proficiency with animation software, and effective communication to coordinate with other developers and designers. The remote aspect allows for flexibility in work location, making it possible to contribute to gaming projects from anywhere with a reliable internet connection.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gaming Animation jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Gaming Animation jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Gaming Animation jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Gaming Animation jobs in Illinois are:

Infographic showing various Remote Gaming Animation job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution.

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$130K - $156K/yr

Full-time

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