Amazon

Design Technologist, Robot Animation , Fauna

Amazon$145K — $196K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Available online portfolio showcasing animation work.
  • Proficient in industry-standard tools like Maya, 3D Studio Max, and others.
  • 3+ years in character or technical animation.
  • Ability to create expressive, personality-driven animations (demo reel required).
  • Proficient in Python or similar for tooling and animation integration.
  • Experience working within physical constraints of animation.

Responsibilities

  • Create expressive robot animations reflecting personality and emotions.
  • Collaborate with HRI researchers and engineers to align animations with robot capabilities.
  • Utilize motion capture to develop base animations tailored to robot specifications.
  • Develop tools and workflows for efficient animation authoring and integration.
  • Test and iterate animations on hardware based on real-world feedback.

Benefits

  • Health insurance options including medical, dental, and vision.
  • 401(k) match to support retirement savings.
  • Paid time off and parental leave policies.
  • Mental health support and employee assistance programs.
  • Flexible spending accounts and adoption reimbursement coverage.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Design Technologist to define the expressive motion vocabulary that makes our robot feel alive: how it gestures when speaking, how it shows curiosity, excitement, hesitation, and calm. You will work with motion capture, hand animation, and procedural techniques to build a library of movements that bring our robots to life in real time.

This role sits at the intersection of character animation and robotics. You need strong animation instincts - timing, weight, personality - and enough technical fluency to work within the constraints of physical robots that must work in the real world.

Key job responsibilities

- Author expressive robot animations that articulate the robot's core personality: locomotion styles, conversational gesture, emotional reactions, interactive behaviors

- Partner closely with HRI researchers and robotics engineers to understand what the robot can physically do and what interactions need to feel like

- Work with motion capture to create base animations, then adapt and refine them for our robot's form factor and joint constraints

- Develop tools and workflows (Python, Blender/Maya scripting) to accelerate animation authoring and integrate with the robot's behavior pipeline

- Test animations on real hardware and iterate based on how they read in person, from all angles

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Have an available online portfolio

- Experience with one or more of the following industry tools: 3D Studio Max, Maya, Photoshop, Zbrush, Substance, Unreal, Blender, etc

- 3+ years of professional experience in character animation, motion design, or technical animation

- Demonstrated ability to create expressive, personality-driven motion (demo reel required)

- Scripting ability in Python or equivalent for tooling, pipeline integration, and procedural animation

- Experience working within technical constraints (real-time engines, joint/physics limits, or hardware platforms)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with motion capture: directing sessions, cleaning data, retargeting to non-human characters

- Experience animating for stylized characters (robots, creatures, mascots)

- Familiarity with real-time animation systems (state machines, blend trees, procedural layers)

- Experience with robotics, physical characters, or animatronics

- Background in film, games, or themed entertainment where animation drives character personality

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, NY, New York - 145,000.00 - 196,100.00 USD annually

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
NASDAQ

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