Senior Gameplay Animator (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Senior Gameplay Animator (Unreal Engine): Creating high-quality animations for characters and creatures in an unpublished MMO with an accent on locomotion and responsive gameplay feel. Focus on implementing animation systems in-engine, defining the visual identity of movement, and iterating on player-facing performance.

Location: Must be based in the USA (indicated by US-specific benefits and legal disclosures)

Company

A world-renowned game developer dedicated to putting players first and creating iconic experiences that define the gaming industry.

What you will do

• Create high-quality gameplay animations for playable characters and creatures, specializing in locomotion and behavior.
• Implement, iterate, and polish animations directly within the game engine using Animation Blueprints and state machines.
• Partner with designers to prototype gameplay animation through playtesting to improve readability and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with technical artists and engineers to refine animation workflows and runtime behavior.
• Research and investigate emergent game animation technologies to keep the project at the cutting edge.
• Establish animation standards and maintain a high quality bar across the entire project.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience creating gameplay animation for shipped games.
• Strong portfolio showcasing responsive, stylized gameplay animation for both humanoids and creatures.
• Proven experience implementing gameplay animation in Unreal Engine.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, body mechanics, timing, and weight.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with engineers and artists.

Nice to have

• Experience with Unreal Control Rig and Motion Matching systems.
• Knowledge of Motion Warping, runtime IK, or procedural animation.
• Experience using Unreal Sequencer for cinematic or narrative animation.
• Background in developing action, multiplayer, or open-world games.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and an open paid time off policy to support work-life balance.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance.
• Parental leave for employees, spouses, and children.
• 401k retirement plan with company match.
• A collaborative, player-centric culture that empowers unique perspectives.