Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$150k–$175k/yr
Summary We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation quality, style, and feel of our AAA open world action-adventure game. As a creative and technical contributor, you will cr…
Skills: Gameplay animation, Maya, Unreal Engine 5, Animation blueprints, State machines
Santa Monica, California, United States · Hybrid
$69/hr–$86/hr
This is a hybrid / onsite position. For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog rece…
Skills: PBR materials, Topology, Character pipelines, Shader development, Python scripting
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$70k–$75k/yr
JAKKS Pacific, Inc., a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world, currently seeks an …
Skills: Product design, Industrial design, Toy design, Sketching, Illustration
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$121k–$185k/yr
Device Brand Studio, an internal agency within the Devices group at Amazon, is seeking a talented Brand Designer to help bring new Amazon offerings to market, products, services, and features within our devices portfolio…
Skills: Visual Design, Typography, Brand Systems, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$141k–$191k/yr
Device Brand Studio, an internal agency within the Devices group at Amazon, is seeking a talented Motion Designer to help bring new Amazon offerings to market, products, services, and features within our devices portfoli…
Skills: Motion Design, Animation, Editorial Craft, Storyboarding, Previsualization
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$65k–$85k/yr
Why join us? At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that…
Skills: Retail Management, Interior Design, Financial Literacy, Business Acumen, Budget Management
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$48k–$68k/yr
We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged …
Skills: Creative Coordination, Project Management, Visual Research, Creative Briefing, Brand Development
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$19/hr–$21/hr
POSITION SUMMARY The Youth Dance Instructor is responsible for building positive relationships among members, participants, volunteers, and staff by providing excellent customer service, guidance, and leadership. The ins…
Skills: Dance Instruction, Choreography, Curriculum Development, Youth Engagement, Class Management
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
Imagine what you could do at Apple. Join the Apple Fitness+ team and help shape the future of fitness content on a global scale — creating experiences that inspire our users to live a better day and a healthier life. App…
Skills: Multi-camera Production, Live-to-tape Production, Post Production, Scheduling, Talent Management
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$141k–$210k/yr
Device Brand Studio, an internal agency within the Devices group at Amazon, is seeking a talented, creative Creative Director to help bring new Amazon offerings to market, products, services, and features within our devi…
Skills: Brand Identity, Storytelling, Visual Identity, Art Direction, Creative Execution
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$60k–$90k/yr
As the Content Creator + Social Media Manager, this role will own and elevate our brands social and digital presence across all platforms. From ideation and production to publishing and community engagement, the position…
Skills: Content Creation, Social Media Management, Graphic Design, Video Editing, Copywriting
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$35/hr–$37/hr
About the Position Ensemble Schools is seeking a fun, experienced, and professional violin instructor to teach part-time at Green Brooms Music Academy, our Santa Monica, CA location. We are looking for teachers who will …
Skills: Violin Instruction, Music Pedagogy, Performance, Teaching Young Musicians, Punctuality
Santa Monica, California, United States · Hybrid
INTERNSHIP DETAILS FALL INTERNSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS: 7/31/2026 FALL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DATES: 9/8/2026 – 12/11/2026 *The Social Media Marketing Intern position pays county/state minimum wage rates, based…
Skills: Social Media Community Management, Content Creation, Market Research, TikTok, Instagram
Santa Monica, California, United States · Hybrid
$58/hr–$65/hr
This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. This is a hybrid / onsite position based at …
Skills: Level Design, 3D Blocking, Maya, Unreal Editor, C#
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$70k–$77k/yr
JAKKS Pacific, Inc., is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world, currently seeks …
Skills: Sketching, Illustration, Rendering, Photoshop, Illustrator
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$20/hr–$30/hr
About Ernesta: Ernesta is on a mission to bring gorgeous, design-focused custom rugs to homes and places of gathering through an enjoyable, frictionless, and affordable experience. At the same price as a store-bought sta…
Skills: Consumer Sales, Account Management, Interior Design, Spatial Planning, Customer Relationship Management
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$20/hr–$30/hr
About Ernesta: Ernesta is on a mission to bring gorgeous, design-focused custom rugs to homes and places of gathering through an enjoyable, frictionless, and affordable experience. At the same price as a store-bought sta…
Skills: Consumer Sales, Account Management, Interior Design, Spatial Planning, Customer Relationship Management
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$20/hr–$22/hr
Your Role... By exhibiting exceptional teamwork, boundless curiosity, and the utmost care, the Retail Store Receiver will assist their team to fulfil Blick’s commitment to our customers, the Arts, and our local com…
Skills: Inventory Management, Customer Service, Shipment Processing, Record Keeping, Loss Prevention
Santa Monica, California, United States · On-site
$32/hr–$32/hr
Job DetailsJob Location: Santa Monica - CA 90404Salary Range: $32.00 - $32.00 HourlySTEM Instructor - After-School Enrichment Courses About Brains and Motion Education: Are you ready to join Brains & Motion Education (BA…
Skills: STEM Instruction, Coding, Robotics, Class Management, Mentoring
Santa Monica, California, United States · Hybrid
INTERNSHIP DETAILS FALL INTERNSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS: 7/31/2026 FALL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DATES: 9/8/2026 – 12/11/2026 *The Creative Services Intern position pays county/state minimum wage rates, based on w…
Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, PowerPoint
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The Principal Gameplay Animator will define and deliver high-quality animation standards for a AAA open-world game while collaborating with cross-functional teams. They will lead the development of complex animation systems, mentor staff, and optimize workflows to ensure technical and artistic excellence.
Candidates must have 7+ years of industry experience, including multiple shipped AAA titles and proficiency in Maya and Unreal Engine 5. A strong background in both keyframe and motion capture animation, along with proven leadership capabilities, is required.
Summary
We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation quality, style, and feel of our AAA open world action-adventure game. As a creative and technical contributor, you will create exceptional gameplay animations, establish animation standards, and partner closely with Design, Engineering, Art, and Narrative teams to ensure that our animations are fluid, realistic, and enhance the overall gameplay.
This role combines hands-on animation development with leadership through craft. You will be expected to solve complex gameplay animation challenges, mentor other animators, influence animation pipelines and workflows, and help shape the overall player experience through world-class character performance and movement.
Core Responsibilities
Core Qualifications
Plus if...
Description
The base pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.
Absurd Ventures is a storytelling-driven entertainment company creating original video games, live-action and animated film and television, audio fiction, books, comic books, and more. Absurd Ventures’ original properties include the sci-fi thriller universe “A Better Paradise”, the crime fiction universe “American Caper,” and the comedy satire universe “Absurdaverse”. The company has already launched a chart-topping A Better Paradise audio fiction series and a bestselling American Caper comic book series and will be debuting Absurdaverse animation projects in 2026. Founded by Dan Houser, Absurd Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, with additional studio offices in Marin, CA. Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.
Offices: Santa Monica, California, US
There are currently 76 open art & design positions in Santa Monica, CA listed on Clera. New openings are added daily as companies post roles.
Companies currently hiring include Universal Music Group, Amazon, Absurd Ventures, Naughty Dog, JAKKS Pacific, among others. Browse the listings above to see every active employer.
Yes — 28 of the 76 open art & design positions offer remote or hybrid work (4 remote, 24 hybrid).
Each listing links directly to the employer's application page. Apply early — fresh listings get the most recruiter attention in the first two weeks.
