Lead Animator (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Lead Animator (Unreal Engine/Maya): Leading the creation of high‑quality in‑game animations and implementing them within Unreal Engine with an accent on responsive gameplay, animation blends, and mentoring. Focus on defining animation standards, iterating on player feel, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver polished AAA experiences.

Location: San Mateo, California, United States (Hybrid/Onsite)

Salary: $123,200–$182,360 per year

Company

A diverse team of developers driven by a passion for art and inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere.

What you will do

• Create high-quality in-game animations and implement them directly in Unreal using Blueprints.
• Set up animation blends, overlays, and events to ensure a polished and responsive player experience.
• Develop quick animation prototypes for new gameplay features, including combat abilities and character actions.
• Define and maintain animation style guides, documenting standards and sharing best practices.
• Mentor animators, provide regular feedback, and assist the Director in organizing sub-team tasks and timelines.
• Collaborate with Technical Animation, Production, and Design on roadmaps, task estimation, and risk assessment.

Requirements

• 6–8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one shipped AAA title.
• 2–4+ years of experience in a leadership or mentoring role.
• Advanced knowledge of Maya and familiarity with Unreal Engine animation systems and asset integration.
• Experience using Perforce for asset management in large-scale environments.
• An animation reel demonstrating high-quality hand-keyed animation.
• Must be based in San Mateo, California.

Nice to have

• Experience creating cinematic sequences and story-driven character performances.
• Proficiency with Google Sheets or Excel for organizing asset inventories and production monitoring.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage.
• Participation in 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• 14 paid holidays and 15–25 days of paid vacation per year.
• Paid parental, compassionate, and sick leave (up to 10 days).
• Wellbeing programs for mental health and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.