Senior Character Animator (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Senior Character Animator (Gamedev): Creating high-quality, expressive hand-keyed animations for stylized gameplay characters with an accent on locomotion, combat systems, and traversal mechanics. Focus on collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate animations into game engines while mentoring the animation team to achieve high-level visual and technical standards.

Location: Must be based in our studio (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Relocation and immigration support are available for this position.

Company

A world-class game development studio and subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment focused on creating high-end immersive gaming experiences.

What you will do

• Create compelling, entertaining, and visually appealing hand-keyed gameplay animations for various characters.
• Develop and implement stylized keyframe animations that convey diverse character personalities.
• Collaborate closely with Tech Animation, Design, and VFX departments to achieve the creative vision.
• Manage the animation pipeline from concept to final in-game integration.
• Ensure animations function efficiently and responsively within complex gameplay systems.
• Mentor and train team members to foster skill development and creative growth.

Requirements

• 7+ years of professional experience in animation with a focus on stylized, hand-keyed work.
• Proficiency in Maya and practical experience with game engine software.
• Strong understanding of traditional animation principles applied to gameplay.
• Proven ability to set up and maintain animation networks in-engine.
• Excellent communication skills for effective cross-departmental collaboration.
• Proactive, self-driven approach with a focus on ownership and creative problem-solving.

Nice to have

• Experience with third-person action or combat-focused game titles.
• Familiarity with production tools such as JIRA, ShotGrid, and Perforce.
• Background that brings diverse perspectives to the creative team.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, creative work environment within a high-profile game studio.
• Comprehensive relocation and immigration support for international hires.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and an inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunity to work on industry-leading, cutting-edge game projects.