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Small Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Big Shot Pictures

Senior Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $130K/yr

The ideal candidate is comfortable leading by example, collaborating closely with a small, focused team, and contributing directly to animation quality and performance on screen. This role will ...

Big Shot Pictures

Mocap Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

You'll be an integrated member of a small, dedicated social content team while also collaborating closely with our larger animation production team. This is a contract role which would report in ...

Bonfire Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$113K - $129K/yr

On a small team, your work will directly influence the feel of every ability, encounter, and moment of impact. If you care about animation as gameplay (and want real ownership over the result) we'd ...

Hera (YC S25)

Founding AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Responsibilities : • Build and optimize AI systems to generate high-quality animations that ... We're small today, but building something huge. To grow the company, each of us needs to grow ...

Superpower

Motion Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Design UI animations and micro-interactions that elevate the product experience * Collaborate with ... A-players only: small team of exceptional people who actually do the work * Founder mode: everyone ...

Superpower Health, Inc

Motion Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Design UI animations and micro-interactions that elevate the product experience * Collaborate with ... A-players only: small team of exceptional people who actually do the work * Founder mode: everyone ...

Monks

Integrated Producer, Social

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Integrated Producers at Monks are responsible for independently leading small to mid-tier projects ... 3D animation, editorial and finishing). You must be able to problem solve in a timely, cost ...

Clera

Frontend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

You'll be an early engineering team member helping shape how developers and small teams manage ... Experience designing and implementing UI animations. * Comfort contributing to backend code in at ...

Clera

Frontend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

You'll be an early engineering team member helping shape how developers and small teams manage ... Experience designing and implementing UI animations. * Comfort contributing to backend code in at ...

Subsense

Social Media Manager (Contract)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$25 - $40/hr

AI-assisted content workflows (efficiency for a small team). * Figma and Canva experience to design visuals and animations. Channels & Intent * LinkedIn - primary channel; thought leadership, company ...

Virtuos

Management Trainee

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Create and present insights, project updates, and analytical findings to department leads and small ... Formed by a team of animation advocates and industry veterans, our studio in Los Angeles offers a ...

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All JobsSmall Animation JobsSmall Animation Jobs in California

Small Animation information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do small animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for small animation in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get a job in small animation with no experience?

To get a small animation job with no experience, build a portfolio of simple projects using free or affordable animation software like Blender or Adobe Animate. Learning basic skills through online tutorials and creating a demo reel can demonstrate your potential to employers or clients, even without formal experience.

What is the difference between Small Animation vs Character Animator?

AspectSmall AnimationCharacter Animator
Required SkillsBasic animation techniques, software proficiency (e.g., Adobe Animate, After Effects)Advanced character rigging, facial expressions, lip-sync, and performance animation
Work EnvironmentFreelance, small studios, or online platformsAnimation studios, media companies, or game development firms
Industry UsageUsed for simple animations, explainer videos, or social media contentUsed for character-driven scenes, storytelling, and complex animations

Small Animation typically involves creating simple, short animations often for online content or social media, requiring basic skills. Character Animator specializes in bringing characters to life with detailed movements and expressions, often within larger production environments. While both roles involve animation skills, Character Animator requires more advanced techniques and experience in character performance.

Is small animation a low paying job?

Small animation jobs typically offer lower pay compared to larger or more experienced animation roles, especially for entry-level positions or freelance work. Compensation varies based on skill level, project complexity, and industry demand, but many small animation roles are considered to have modest pay scales.
What are popular job titles related to Small Animation jobs in California? For Small Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Small Animation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Small Animation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Small Animation jobs? Cities in California with the most Small Animation job openings:
Small Animation jobs near you

Senior Animator

Big Shot Pictures

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$114K - $130K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

About Big Shot Pictures

Big Shot Pictures is a next generation animation company founded by Brian Robbins that produces the franchises of tomorrow. With a distinctive digital-first approach, the company builds global animation franchises across all platforms – from digital to theatrical, gaming to streaming, and consumer products to experiences.


About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Animator to help shape and execute high-quality animation within an Unreal Engine–first, real-time pipeline for episodic content. This is a hands-on, creative leadership role that combines strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine. The ideal candidate is comfortable leading by example, collaborating closely with a small, focused team, and contributing directly to animation quality and performance on screen.


This role will support the development of creating stylized, appealing content for kids and family

audiences with quick turnarounds.


This is a contract role which would report in-person at our studio in Los Angeles


Responsibilities

  • Execute character animation for episodic productions from layout through final delivery
  • Animate directly in Unreal Engine, utilizing Sequencer, Control Rig, and MetaHuman Animator workflows
  • Provide feedback and mentorship to other animators as needed
  • Collaborate closely with directors, designers, technical artists, and production partners to maintain a consistent visual and performance style
  • Optimize animation workflows to deliver appealing animations at volume
  • Support asset optimization, iteration, and performance polish within a real-time pipeline
  • Contribute to maintaining efficient workflows and production best practices


Required Qualifications

  • Strong professional experience animating in Unreal Engine (Sequencer, Control Rig, MetaHuman Animator), or strong foundational animation skills with a demonstrated ability and willingness to transition to real-time workflows
  • Proven ability to animate across a wide range of styles, with an emphasis on stylized and appealing performance for kids and family content
  • Comfortable working in small, fast-moving teams
  • Experience animating episodic, serialized, or narrative-driven content


Nice to Have

  • Experience working with Animation Sequences within Unreal
  • Creature and non-human animation experience
  • Storyboarding and/or layout experience
  • Experience with mocap pipelines
  • Interest in leveraging emerging tools, including AI-assisted workflows, as an extension of the creative process to improve efficiency and iteration

Apply