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Traditional Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epoch Games

Lead Animator

Winston Salem, NC

Understanding of traditional animation principles that enhance believable movement * Experience with non-gaming Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or has animated for games * Rapid prototyping ...

Epoch Games

Lead Animator

Winston Salem, NC · On-site +1

Understanding of traditional animation principles that enhance believable movement * Experience with non-gaming Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or has animated for games * Rapid prototyping ...

Epoch Games

3D Game Animator

Winston Salem, NC

Understanding of traditional animation principles that enhance believable movement * Experience with non-gaming Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or has animated for games * Rapid prototyping ...

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How much do traditional animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for traditional animation in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Traditional Animation job?

A Traditional Animation job involves creating hand-drawn frames to produce fluid motion in animated films, television shows, advertisements, or video games. Animators sketch each frame on paper or digitally replicate the traditional process to bring characters and scenes to life. This role requires strong drawing skills, an understanding of motion, and knowledge of animation principles like timing and spacing. Professionals in this field may work as key animators, inbetweeners, or clean-up artists, depending on the production stage.

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

To thrive in Traditional Animation, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of animation principles (like timing and movement), and often relevant educational background such as a degree in animation or fine arts. Familiarity with animation tools such as light tables, peg bars, and industry-standard software for scanning and compositing, as well as a portfolio demonstrating your work, are important. Creativity, keen attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills in this field. These combined skills ensure the creation of fluid, expressive animations that meet production deadlines and collaborative artistic standards.

What does a typical workday look like for a traditional animator, and how do they interact with other team members?

A typical day for a traditional animator involves sketching or inking animation frames by hand, reviewing animatics or storyboards, and refining character movement to maintain consistency across scenes. Traditional animators often work closely with directors, layout artists, and clean-up teams to ensure visual continuity and incorporate feedback. Daily tasks may include attending team meetings, collaborating on scene revisions, and coordinating with digital departments if the project blends traditional and digital techniques. This collaborative environment allows animators to contribute their creative skills while working towards the shared vision of the animation project.
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Traditional Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Traditional Animation job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Lead Animator

Lead Animator

Epoch Games

Winston Salem, NC

Other

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Epoch Games is a volunteer-based, all-online, global game development team. We have no centrally-located headquarters and are unincorporated at this time. Most of the original founding members were modders developing the total conversion Middle Earth Roleplaying Project (MERP) mod for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
http://www.moddb.com/mods/merp-middle-earth-roleplaying-project
Currently Epoch Games is developing The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO). LoA:SO is an in-development indie open-world RPG set in an original fantasy world. The game is being developed using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4 (UE4):
https://www.unrealengine.com/
For more information about the game, please check out our IndieDb page:
http://www.indiedb.com/games/the-lays-of-althas-sundered-order
NOTE: The address listed is our central office, but we are working as a completely remote development team at this time. No relocation is necessary.

Job Description

In this volunteer position you will be working closely with 3D Character Artists and our Riggers to Animate Human and realistic (and sometimes Fantastical) Creatures for The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO). 3D Characters are created in Reallusion's Character Creator 3 (CC3), and Creatures are often created using Unreal Engine Marketplace Third Party Assets and modify them.

You will also be helping us in building and leading a new Animation Team (although such experience is optional).

The ability to Rig and Skin Characters is optional, but recommended. It is also recommended, but not required, to have experience with Reallusion iClone 7 to assist with animating Reallusion CC3 Characters.

Communication is key to a smooth and efficient pipeline, you must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with other team-members and not be afraid to ask should any problems arise. We are an English-speaking team, so English fluency is a must.

Other duties include attending weekly team meetings and following team policies.

NOTE: This is not an Internship. We are not looking for short-term Interns. We are looking for a long-term Volunteer Lead Animator.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

  • Strong understanding of Human anatomy and movement.
  • Expertise in animating 3D Characters
  • Expertise in animating quadrupeds and aerial creatures
  • Understanding of traditional animation principles that enhance believable movement
  • Experience with non-gaming Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or has animated for games
  • Rapid prototyping and turn-around for animations
  • Self-motivated and able to troubleshoot technical challenges
  • Online communication (English) and Team-collaboration skills
  • A passion for animation and a dedication to creating AAA quality games

Optional Requirements:

  • Managing and organizing other Animators, and a fair amount of spare-time in order to communicate and manage them
  • Creation of 3D Character Skeletons & Rigs
  • Skinning (weighting) 3D Human Characters & Clothing/Armor
  • Creation of 3D quadruped and aerial creature Skeletons & Rigs
  • Skinning (weighting) 3D quadrupeds and aerial creatures
  • Reallusion Character Creator 3 (CC3) and iClone 7 experience
Additional Information

Software Requirements:

  • Autodesk Maya for Animations
  • Unreal Engine 4 (https://www.unrealengine.com/register)

Optional Software:

  • Motionbuilder useful, but not essential
  • Reallusion iClone 7 (https://www.reallusion.com/iclone/) - a copy can be provided to the Lead Animator if needed

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