Lead Animator

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Supervise the quality of animation, character movement in gameplay, and the animation team for an upcoming title.

• Lead the integration of keyframing and motion capture.

• Collaborate with technical animators to enhance rigging workflows.

• Work alongside Design and Engineering teams to achieve responsive, high-quality character animation in Unreal Engine.

• Mentor animation professionals and create animation style guidelines.

• Set visual benchmarks for all in-game movements.

• Manage, mentor, and motivate internal animators.

• Oversee and assign tasks to an overseas co-development animation team.

• Design and refine responsive UE5 animation systems in cooperation with the Art & Animation Director and Animation Engineer.

• Drive animations from initial blockouts and keyframing through tuning in AnimGraph and playtesting.

• Identify workflow bottlenecks, optimize processes, and oversee task management, feedback, and quality assurance for external animation collaborators.

• Direct live motion capture sessions at the Denver MoCap studio.

• Manage the cleanup and integration of motion capture data.

• Coordinate animation requirements, dependencies, technical limitations, and gameplay objectives across various disciplines.

⛳️ Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of Unreal Engine Control Rig, Sequencer, and animation blueprints.

• Over 7 years of professional experience in video game animation production.

• At least 3 years in leadership roles as a Lead Animator.

• Experience with multiple shipped console and PC titles as a Lead Animator.

• Demonstrated success in leading character animation teams across keyframe, motion capture, and technical animation domains.

• Expert proficiency in 3D animation software (Maya, 3ds Max), including character keyframing, facial performance capture, motion editing, and real-time animation state machines.

• Strong practical knowledge of Unreal Engine animation workflows, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blend spaces, animation montages, and in-engine debugging.

• Experience in directing gameplay animation feel and responsiveness for third-person or first-person titles.

• A robust animation reel/portfolio showcasing exceptional keyframing abilities, character mechanics, body language, and motion clarity.

• Capacity to work proactively across Design, Engineering, Art, and Production teams.

• Excellent communication skills and mentoring capabilities.

• Bonus: Previous experience working with and expanding existing intellectual property.

🏝️ Benefits

• 100% employee-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance (50% coverage for dependents).

• 401(k) retirement plan featuring a 4% company match.

• Up to 7 weeks of mandated paid time off each year, including Summer/Winter breaks and 7 holidays.

• Flexible PTO policy.

• Quarterly Royalty Bonus Plan.

• Stock Option Plan.

• Options for flexible work arrangements (remote, hybrid, or in-office).