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Senior Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY Ā· On-site

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects developing concepts, presentations, style frames, and animation for all west coast projects across a ...

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY Ā· On-site

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects developing concepts, presentations, style frames, and animation for all west coast projects across a ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA Ā· On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY Ā· On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. You'll play a key role in defining how our characters move, respond ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA Ā· On-site

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life! Description

Half Mermaid Productions

Senior Gameplay Animator

Brooklyn, NY Ā· On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Work With Us on Project Dā–ˆā–ˆā–ˆā–ˆ We are looking for an experienced and talented Senior Gameplay Animator to join the development effort on our exciting new game "Project D." The project is a ...

That's No Moon Entertainment

OR

$120K - $145K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Narrative Gameplay Animator with a passion and drive for creating incredible animations for a AAA title. Be the go-to person in supporting immersive, narrative moments ...

Bonfire Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Irvine, CA Ā· On-site

$113K - $129K/yr

We're looking for a Senior/Principal Animator who understands that every frame communicates something: timing, weight, threat, opportunity. You'll help define the animation language of a competitive ...

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV

$105K - $120K/yr

In this senior-level role, you will lead animation efforts from concept to final implementation, establishing the visual tone and quality standards for groundbreaking gaming experiences while ...

Bonfire Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Irvine, CA Ā· On-site +1

$113K - $129K/yr

We're looking for a Senior/Principal Animator who understands that every frame communicates something: timing, weight, threat, opportunity. You'll help define the animation language of a competitive ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV

$105K - $120K/yr

In this senior-level role, you will lead animation efforts from concept to final implementation, establishing the visual tone and quality standards for groundbreaking gaming experiences while ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA Ā· On-site +1

$115K - $131K/yr

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. As a hands-on ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Animator

Cary, NC Ā· On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

What You'll Do Epic Games is searching for a Senior Technical Animator with a passion for expressive character movement to work within the Cinematics team. In this talented team of veteran and ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA Ā· On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Senior Technical Animation Designer San Mateo, California, United States We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA Ā· On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

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How much do senior animator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior 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 is a Senior Animator job?

A Senior Animator is a highly skilled professional responsible for creating high-quality animations for films, video games, advertisements, or other media. They lead animation projects, collaborate with designers and directors, and ensure character movements and visual effects align with the creative vision. Senior Animators also mentor junior team members, refine animation workflows, and help maintain consistency in style and quality. Strong artistic ability, technical proficiency in animation software, and experience in storytelling are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Senior Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Animator, you need advanced animation and storytelling skills, a strong portfolio, and typically a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, and Toon Boom Harmony is essential, along with knowledge of the latest animation techniques and pipelines. Leadership, communication, and mentorship abilities help you collaborate effectively and guide junior animators. These skills ensure high-quality animation production, foster team growth, and support the creative vision of complex projects.

What are the common responsibilities of a Senior Animator on a production team?

As a Senior Animator, you are responsible for creating high-quality animation sequences, collaborating closely with directors and other departments to achieve the project's visual style. You will review and provide feedback on the work of junior animators, help troubleshoot animation challenges, and participate in planning meetings. Daily tasks often include refining complex shots, ensuring animation consistency, and integrating feedback from supervisors. These responsibilities allow you to have a direct impact on the final product and support the overall creative direction of the team.

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Senior Animator jobs near you
Senior Gameplay Animator

Senior Gameplay Animator

Ember Lab

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

At Ember Lab, our goal is to create powerful, transformative experiences that impact people for a lifetime. Having released our debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, in 2021 this journey is just beginning. We're looking for collaborative team members who share our passion for storytelling and are eager to help us shape the future of Ember Lab.


We believe a strong, collaborative environment is critical to creating memorable experiences. As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life!


Description

  • Create, test, and iterate on gameplay animations related to combat and interactive events
  • Integrate animations into game project and relevant animation systems
  • Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints.
  • Iterate and refine animations based on feedback from team members and playtesting.
  • Attend to bugs related to tasks and maintain relevant animation features
  • Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of animations.


Requirements

  • 5+ years of gameplay animation experience
  • Strong skills in animating body mechanics and action
  • Excellent Maya animation skills
  • Proficient with animation systems in UE5
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
  • Shipped 1+ title
  • Unreal Engine 4 or 5 experience


Location

  • In Office


To Apply

  • Please include a portfolio


Compensation Range

The standard annual base salary range for this role in the U.S. is $88,000 - $120,000 USD. Actual pay will vary depending on experience, qualifications, performance and location. The base salary range for locations outside of the U.S. will be adjusted according to location.


At Ember Lab, we like to keep things professional and straightforward when it comes to hiring. All of our recruitment happens through official channels like an Ember Lab email, our recruitment platform BambooHR, or LinkedIn.


If you ever get a message from someone claiming to be us through an unexpected or suspicious platform, it's probably not legit-feel free to ignore it or give us a heads-up at contact@emberlab.com.


We've got your back when it comes to keeping the process safe and secure!


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