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Trainee Indie Animation Studio Jobs (NOW HIRING)

INVIZ

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

Studio Wildcard

Senior Graphics Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$200K/yr

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Partner with the Creature Art and Tech Animation teams to pioneer new rendering techniques ...

Virtuos

Management Trainee

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Formed by a team of animation advocates and industry veterans, our studio in Los Angeles offers a variety of content production services, from facial and body modelling, rigging, look development, to ...

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Trainee Indie Animation Studio information

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How much do trainee indie animation studio jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for trainee indie animation studio in the United States is $20.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trainee at an indie animation studio, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee at an Indie Animation Studio, you typically need foundational skills in animation principles, drawing, and storytelling, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with animation software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Blender is highly valued. Creativity, teamwork, adaptability, and strong communication skills help trainees contribute effectively to collaborative projects. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality animations and integrating smoothly into a fast-paced, creative studio environment.

What are the typical responsibilities and learning opportunities for a trainee at an indie animation studio?

As a trainee at an indie animation studio, you'll often assist with a variety of tasks ranging from storyboarding and character design to helping with basic animation sequences or post-production editing. You'll work closely with experienced animators and directors, gaining hands-on experience across different stages of the animation pipeline. The smaller team environment typical of indie studios means you'll likely have opportunities to contribute ideas and take on more diverse responsibilities, accelerating your learning. This role is ideal for developing a strong foundation in animation and building a professional portfolio.

What is the difference between Trainee Indie Animation Studio vs Junior Animator?

AspectTrainee Indie Animation StudioJunior Animator
CredentialsOften enrolled in or recently completed relevant courses or degreesTypically holds a degree or diploma in animation or related field
Work EnvironmentSmall indie studio or self-directed projectsEstablished animation studios or media companies
Industry UsageUsed for entry-level or learning roles in indie settingsCommonly used in professional studio settings for early-career roles

The main difference is that a Trainee Indie Animation Studio is usually an entry-level or learning position within an indie or small studio environment, often involving mentorship or self-guided projects. A Junior Animator, on the other hand, is a more established role in professional studios, requiring some prior experience or education, and involves contributing to ongoing animation projects in a team setting.

What is a trainee indie animation studio?

A Trainee Indie Animation Studio is an entry-level position at a small, independent animation company where individuals learn the fundamentals of animation production. Trainees typically assist with tasks such as storyboarding, character design, and animation software operation under the guidance of experienced animators. This role is designed to help newcomers gain practical experience, develop their creative skills, and understand the workflow of indie animation projects. It's an excellent starting point for those looking to build a career in animation, especially within the independent film or media sector.
What cities are hiring for Trainee Indie Animation Studio jobs? Cities with the most Trainee Indie Animation Studio job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Animation Studio jobs? The most popular types of Indie Animation Studio jobs are:
What states have the most Trainee Indie Animation Studio jobs? States with the most job openings for Trainee Indie Animation Studio jobs include:
Trainee Indie Animation Studio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Indie Animation Studio job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 64% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 70% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,104 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) - Remote or On-Site

Studio Wildcard

Seattle, WA • On-site, Remote

$70K - $90K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us build ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.
We're looking for an exceptionally talented Technical Animator who lives and breathes Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. You will own high-impact animation systems that bring creatures, characters, and gameplay to life. This is a systems-focused technical animation role: deep expertise in visual programming (AnimBPs + Control Rig) is the core requirement. Comfort with programming logic is essential, but day-to-day C++ work is not the focus.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
  • Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
  • Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
  • Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
  • Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems

Requirements:
  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title.
  • Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems).
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using Unreal Engine 5

Pluses:
  • C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
  • Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with Rigging and Animation
  • Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
  • Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
  • Houdini experience

Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing
  • Portfolio or examples demonstrating Animation Blueprint and/or Control Rig work

About Studio Wildcard
Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.
Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options

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