Lead Video Game Animator

This is a fully remote, Lead Video Game Animator position for our client, a groundbreaking game development studio renowned for its innovative and immersive player experiences. We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Animator to spearhead our animation department and bring characters and environments to life with unparalleled realism and fluidity. As a remote-first role, you will collaborate with a talented, geographically dispersed team of artists, designers, and engineers, shaping the visual identity and emotional depth of our upcoming titles.

Your primary responsibility will be to guide the animation team, establish animation pipelines, and ensure the highest quality of animation across all game assets. You will be instrumental in defining the animation style, workflows, and technical execution, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in real-time animation. This role requires a deep understanding of character performance, rigging, motion capture, and traditional animation principles, combined with a passion for interactive entertainment and cutting-edge technology.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, fostering a collaborative and creative environment. Define and oversee the animation style and quality standards for all game projects. Develop and implement efficient animation pipelines, workflows, and best practices. Directly create high-quality character and environmental animations, focusing on performance, emotion, and gameplay integration. Collaborate closely with art directors, game designers, and technical artists to ensure animation meets project requirements and artistic vision. Implement and refine motion capture data, ensuring realistic and impactful character performances. Troubleshoot and solve complex animation-related technical challenges. Conduct regular animation reviews and provide constructive feedback to the team. Stay updated with the latest animation techniques, software, and industry trends. Contribute to the overall game development process, offering insights and solutions from an animation perspective.

Qualifications

Proven experience as an animator in the video game industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation skills in character and creature animation, with a focus on body mechanics, facial animation, and performance. Expertise in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity). Deep understanding of rigging, skinning, and character setup. Experience with motion capture pipelines and editing. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to provide clear direction and feedback to a remote team. Passion for video games and a keen eye for detail and visual storytelling. Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.