Character Animation Director (Unreal Engine)

TL;DR

Character Animation Director (Unreal Engine): Driving the vision and execution of character animation for experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes with an accent on animation fundamentals and technical fluency in Unreal Engine. Focus on building responsive, expressive animation systems, bridging the gap between animation and engineering, and leading a small team through rapid iteration cycles.

Location: Cary, United States

Company

hirify.global is a leading developer of award-winning games and the creator of Unreal Engine, empowering creators across industries to build high-fidelity interactive experiences.

What you will do

• Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation within Unreal Engine.
• Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation.
• Collaborate with engineers and technical designers to build scalable, flexible animation systems.
• Own the animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a consistent creative vision.
• Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues directly in the engine.
• Mentor and support other animators to foster a culture of craft excellence and experimentation.

Requirements

• Expert-level understanding of character animation principles with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion.
• Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, and runtime systems.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers on complex, system-driven features.
• Experience building animation systems, including debugging and iteration in-engine.
• Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production background.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Nice to have

• Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies.
• Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of premiums paid for employees and dependents.
• 401k plan with competitive company match.
• Robust mental well-being program including free therapy and coaching.
• Unlimited PTO and sick time policy.
• Paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment.