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Senior 3D Game Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Establish and maintain modular 3D animation assets and standards for reuse across videos, campaigns, and presentations. * Translate complex engineering concepts into beautiful and technically ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Establish and maintain modular 3D animation assets and standards for reuse across videos, campaigns, and presentations. * Translate complex engineering concepts into beautiful and technically ...

2K Games

Senior Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Cloud Chamber is looking for a Senior Animator to help us breathe life into a new and fantastical ... 3D animation. Exceptional knowledge of how to create and maintain gameplay and AI systems in game ...

Mondo

Senior 3D Designer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$70 - $77/hr

Senior 3D Designer, Remote. Start date is ASAP for this 2-month contract position. Job Title ... Background spanning multiple industries, such as consumer electronics, gaming, fashion, or Client ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Senior Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join ... stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

... games and the culture of innovation within the studio. In this senior-level role, you will lead ... Expert-level proficiency in 2D and 3D animation tools such as After Effects, Spine, Maya, and ...

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

... games and the culture of innovation within the studio. In this senior-level role, you will lead ... Expert-level proficiency in 2D and 3D animation tools such as After Effects, Spine, Maya, and ...

Socket.dev

$178.11 - $315.80/hr

What You\'ll Do Epic Games is looking for a Senior Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join ... games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic\'s award-winning ...

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Senior 3D Game Animator information

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$77K

$112.7K

$122K

How much do senior 3d game animator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior 3d game animator in the United States is $112,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior 3D Game Animator do?

A Senior 3D Game Animator is responsible for creating complex and realistic animations for characters, creatures, and objects within video games. They work closely with designers, modelers, and programmers to ensure animations are visually appealing and fit seamlessly into the gameplay. In addition to animating, they often mentor junior animators, develop animation pipelines, and help set the artistic direction for movement and action in the game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior 3D Game Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior 3D Game Animator, you need advanced skills in character animation, a deep understanding of anatomy and motion, and typically a degree in animation or a related field. Expertise with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and motion capture systems is crucial, often complemented by a strong portfolio and experience with game engines like Unreal or Unity. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication skills help animators work effectively with artists, designers, and developers to bring characters and environments to life. These skills ensure engaging, high-quality animations that enhance gameplay and contribute to the overall success of a game project.

How does a Senior 3D Game Animator typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

As a Senior 3D Game Animator, you will frequently collaborate with game designers, character artists, technical artists, and programmers to ensure animations integrate seamlessly into the game engine and enhance the gameplay experience. This often involves attending cross-functional meetings, giving and receiving feedback, and adjusting animations based on gameplay mechanics or technical constraints. Effective communication and a strong understanding of both artistic vision and technical requirements are essential for aligning your animations with the broader creative and functional goals of the project.

What is the difference between Senior 3D Game Animator vs 3D Character Artist?

AspectSenior 3D Game Animator3D Character Artist
Primary FocusCreating and refining character animations for gamesModeling and designing 3D character assets
Skills RequiredAnimation, rigging, motion capture, storytellingModeling, texturing, sculpting, concept design
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation departmentsGame studios, character design teams
Common UsageUsed to bring characters to life through movementUsed to create the visual appearance of characters

While both roles involve 3D art, the Senior 3D Game Animator focuses on animating characters, whereas the 3D Character Artist specializes in designing and modeling character assets. Both roles require strong 3D skills, but their core responsibilities differ significantly in the game development process.

Is there a demand for senior 3D game animators?

There is strong demand for senior 3D game animators due to the growth of the gaming industry and the need for high-quality, realistic animations. Employers seek experienced animators skilled in tools like Maya, Blender, and motion capture, often requiring a portfolio demonstrating advanced animation techniques. The role typically offers opportunities in both large studios and indie development, with competitive salaries and ongoing project-based work.

What cities are hiring for Senior 3D Game Animator jobs?

Cities with the most Senior 3D Game Animator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Game Animator jobs?

The most popular types of 3D Game Animator jobs are:

What states have the most Senior 3D Game Animator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior 3D Game Animator jobs include:

Senior 3D Game Animator jobs near you

Senior 3D Motion Designer

CesiumAstro

Austin, TX • On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

The 3D Motion Designer owns production of high-quality 3D content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations. This role leads complex 3D animated sequences and renders, translating technical concepts into beautiful, technically accurate visual stories, and establishes standards for modular, reusable animation assets. This position operates with general supervision, exercising independent judgment on creative and technical execution and mentoring junior designers.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Own production of high-quality 3D animated content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations.
  • Lead creation of polished, artful 3D animated sequences for marketing, product storytelling, technical explainers, and similar use cases.
  • Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, and compositing.
  • Create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
  • Establish and maintain modular 3D animation assets and standards for reuse across videos, campaigns, and presentations.
  • Translate complex engineering concepts into beautiful and technically accurate visual content, independently resolving ambiguity in technical input.
  • Partner directly with engineers and designers to develop storyboards and technical concepts for complex projects.
  • Collaborate with designers, marketers, and engineering subject matter experts, serving as the primary point of contact for 3D content.
  • Apply strong visual storytelling instincts to balance technical accuracy, clarity, beauty, and brand impact across high-visibility projects.
  • Maintain strong attention to detail and own quality for all final renders.
  • Establish file organization and asset management standards, and mentor junior designers on 3D production practices.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of professional experience in 3D animation, motion design, or visual effects.
  • Expert knowledge of the end-to-end 3D production pipeline, including modeling, animation, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, compositing, and post-production.
  • Demonstrated ability to create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
  • Ability to establish and scale modular 3D animation assets across multiple videos, campaigns, and presentations.
  • Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization, or cinematic product storytelling.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max.
  • Experience using professional rendering engines, including Redshift, Octane, Arnold, or V-Ray.
  • Advanced proficiency with Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro for animation, compositing, and video editing.
  • Experience with Substance Painter or similar texturing and material authoring tools.
  • Ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional quality, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience with aerospace, RF, satellite communications, hardware, phased arrays, payloads, antennas, orbital networks, software-defined radios, or systems architecture.
  • Engineering background or technical education is a plus, with the ability to understand and accurately communicate complex engineering concepts through visual media.
  • Real-time rendering or interactive 3D experience.
  • 2D motion graphics experience, especially for titles, labels, annotations, diagrams, and technical callouts.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.  Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.  
 
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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