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Rough Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. CGI Artist

Irvine, CA

$130K - $150K/yr

We need product renders and animations at the quality level of top consumer tech launches: clean ... Work with creative director closely and product to turn rough direction into concrete visuals. Own ...

Sr. CGI Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

We need product renders and animations at the quality level of top consumer tech launches: clean ... Work with creative director closely and product to turn rough direction into concrete visuals.

Product Engineer

$140K - $190K/yr

Collaborates closely with product and design and can turn rough requirements into shippable ... Strong eye for interaction details including gestures, transitions, animations, loading states ...

$150 - $200/hr

Collaborates closely with product and design and can turn rough requirements into shippable ... Strong eye for interaction details including gestures, transitions, animations, loading states ...

Character Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Santa Monica, Los Angeles Skydance Animation Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character ... Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully ...

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming ... Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully ...

Design Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

We're looking for a design engineer to take ideas from rough sketches to production. You'll play a ... Hands‑on with CSS animation, transitions, and layout techniques--skilled at crafting interfaces ...

Instructional Designer

Thackerville, OK · On-site

$59K - $79K/yr

Illustrate concepts by designing rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type ... Proficient animation skills * Proficient illustration skills Nonessential: * Proficient in ...

$150 - $200/hr

Collaborates closely with product and design and can turn rough requirements into shippable ... Strong eye for interaction details including gestures, transitions, animations, loading states ...

Design Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

We're looking for a design engineer to take ideas from rough sketches to production. You'll play a ... Hands-on with CSS animation, transitions, and layout techniques-skilled at crafting interfaces that ...

Graphic Designer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Our work is technical, visual, and often hard to explain without a clear drawing or short animation ... Comfort working from rough sketches, photos, product data sheets, and verbal briefings. * Clean ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

Ability to own a project end to end, from rough concept through storyboarding, design, animation, and final production. * Range across brand systems, product storytelling, campaign work, and more ...

Production Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Design mobile-first, keep animation minimal, and match each page to the ad that drove the click ... You get energy from taking a rough brief and shipping the finished thing -- the ad cut, the landing ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

Showing results 21-40

Rough Animation information

See salary details

$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do rough animation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for rough animation in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is rough animation?

Rough animation is an early stage in the animation process where animators create loose, unpolished sketches or drawings to plan out the movement, timing, and overall action of characters and objects. These rough versions help visualize the sequence before it is cleaned up and finalized. Rough animation allows for feedback and adjustments, making it an essential step in producing smooth and dynamic animated scenes.

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

To thrive as a Rough Animator, you need strong drawing skills, a deep understanding of motion and timing, and a solid grasp of animation principles, often supported by formal art or animation training. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or TVPaint is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively help animators stand out in a team environment. These skills are crucial because they ensure the creation of dynamic, believable animations that serve as the foundation for polished final sequences.

What are some common challenges faced by rough animators in a production pipeline, and how can they be addressed?

Rough animators often face tight deadlines and the challenge of interpreting storyboards into dynamic, expressive motion while maintaining consistency with the creative vision. Collaboration with directors and other team members is key, as feedback cycles can be frequent and require adaptability. Staying organized and open to revisions helps manage workload, and strong communication skills ensure that the animator's work fits seamlessly with the rest of the animation pipeline.

What is the difference between Rough Animation vs Key Animation?

AspectRough AnimationKey Animation
PurposeInitial, loose sketches to establish motion and timingRefined, detailed frames that define the main poses
Detail LevelLow, focusing on movement and flowHigh, emphasizing clarity and precision
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, pre-production stagesAnimation studios, production stages
Required SkillsBasic drawing, understanding of timingStrong drawing skills, understanding of anatomy and motion

Rough Animation involves creating loose sketches to plan out motion, while Key Animation focuses on detailed frames that define the main poses. Both roles are essential in the animation process, with Rough Animation serving as the foundation for the more polished Key Animations.

Infographic showing various Rough Animation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 71% In-person, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

$130K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

About Us: 

Headquartered in the United States, TP-Link Systems Inc. is a global provider of reliable networking devices and smart home products, consistently ranked as the world's top provider of Wi-Fi devices. The company is committed to delivering innovative products that enhance people's lives through faster, more reliable connectivity. With a commitment to excellence, TP-Link serves customers in over 170 countries and continues to grow its global footprint. 

We believe technology changes the world for the better! At TP-Link Systems Inc, we are committed to crafting dependable, high-performance products to connect users worldwide with the wonders of technology. 

Embracing professionalism, innovation, excellence, and simplicity, we aim to assist our clients in achieving remarkable global performance and enable consumers to enjoy a seamless, effortless lifestyle. 

Overview

This is our first CGI hire, is crucial to set up the brand tone. We need product renders and animations at the quality level of top consumer tech launches: clean materials, controlled studio lighting, and smooth motion.

Roles and Responsibilities

     Set the visual direction for our product imagery: lighting style, materials/shaders, camera angles, overall look.

     Produce static CGI renders - packshots, lifestyle composites, marketing render, e-commerce/app store imagery.

     Produce motion and animation deliverables (turntables, reveal animations, social content, launch videos) in Cinema 4D.

     Build and maintain a reusable asset library (models, materials, HDRIs, lighting rigs) so future work stays consistent.

     Work with creative director closely and product to turn rough direction into concrete visuals.

     Own the pipeline end-to-end: modeling/import, texturing, lighting, rendering, compositing, delivery.

     Keep an eye on new rendering and AI-assisted tools and flag where they could speed up our work.

Requirements

 Must Haves

     7+ years of professional CGI/3D experience, with a portfolio showing photoreal product visualization (consumer electronics or similar hardware preferred).

     Expert-level Cinema 4D - modeling, materials/shaders, lighting, camera work, animation/keyframing.

     Solid understanding of how real materials (anodized metal, glass, polycarbonate, etc.) behave under studio lighting, and how to light them to look premium

     Able to own a render pipeline solo, start to finish, with strong attention to detail (reflections, edge highlights, subtle imperfections).

     Compositing skills in After Effects and/or Photoshop to finish renders.

     Good eye for light, color, and composition, and able to set a direction from a loose brief.

     Clear communicator as you'll be explaining visual decisions to non-technical stakeholders.

 Nice to Haves

     Experience with a renderer such as Redshift, Octane, Arnold, or V-Ray.

     Experience with motion for social formats (Reels, TikTok, vertical video).

     Background in industrial design, product photography, or working from CAD files.

     Familiarity with real-time engines (Unreal, Unity) or AI image/video tools.

Portfolio

Please apply with a working portfolio link. Without it, we won't be able to consider your application. Your portfolio should show product-focused CGI work, not character or environment art, showcasing your handling of materials, lighting, and camera. A turntable or reveal animation is a plus.

Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000

  •  Free snacks and drinks.
  • Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (partial coverage for dependents)
  • Contributions to 401k funds
  • Bi-annual reviews, and annual pay increases
  • Health and wellness benefits, including free gym membership
  • Quarterly team-building events

At TP-Link Systems Inc., we are continually searching for ambitious individuals who are passionate about their work. We believe that diversity fuels innovation, collaboration, and drives our entrepreneurial spirit. As a global company, we highly value diverse perspectives and are committed to cultivating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Beyond compliance, we strive to create a supportive and growth-oriented workplace for everyone. If you share our passion and connection to this mission, we welcome you to apply and join us in building a vibrant and inclusive team at TP-Link Systems Inc.

Please, no third-party agency inquiries, and we are unable to offer visa sponsorships at this time.