Spine Animator (Esoteric Spine)

TL;DR

Spine Animator (2D Animation): Creating high-quality 2D character and UI animations for a new mobile game based on a globally recognized entertainment IP, with an accent on weight, personality, fluid movement, and satisfying "game feel." Focus on building efficient rigs, integrating animations into Unity, optimizing for mobile performance, and prototyping animation concepts based on feedback.

Location: 100% remote

Company

hirify.global is a veteran-led studio developing a new mobile game based on a globally recognized entertainment IP.

What you will do

• Create high-quality 2D character animations using Esoteric Spine.
• Design and implement dynamic UI animations and transitions.
• Build efficient, flexible rigs and meshes optimized for mobile.
• Integrate animations into Unity, ensuring technical constraints are met.
• Optimize draw calls, texture atlases, and bone counts for mobile devices.
• Collaborate with the Art Director and 2D Artists to align animations with the established art style.
• Rapidly prototype animation concepts, refining them based on feedback and player data.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in 2D animation for games, with at least one shipped mobile title.
• Mastery of Esoteric’s Spine, including rigging, weighted meshes, and the dopesheet.
• Deep understanding of traditional animation principles applied to 2D skeletal rigs.
• Experience animating buttons, menus, and HUD elements to create a premium interface.
• Proficiency working within Unity (Spine-Unity runtime), including Animators, Controllers, and basic prefab management.
• Ability to determine the best way to bring static UI mock-ups or character concepts to life technically and artistically.
• Strong English communication skills and the ability to stay organized and self-motivated in a fully remote environment.

Nice to have

• Experience creating 2D particles or hand-drawn FX to complement animations.
• Previous work with licensed entertainment IPs.
• Proficiency in After Effects for pre-visualizing UI flows or marketing assets.
• Knowledge of C# or Unity shaders to further enhance visual effects and UI interactions.

Culture & Benefits

• Help build a new mobile game from concept to launch.
• Work on a globally recognized IP with real brand reach and growth potential.
• Collaborate with a veteran-led studio that prizes creativity, experimentation, and player-first thinking.
• High ownership, high visibility, and direct influence on how players engage with the product.
• 100% remote, flexible work with a small, passionate, execution-focused team.
• Play a key role in shaping design culture and mentoring future designers as the company scales post-MVP.