Senior Animator

Light & Wonder; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

4:1 on-site working arrangement

Company-paid parental leave

LinkedIn learning access

Novated car leasing

Wellness programs

Company events

Job summary

Light & Wonder is seeking a Senior Animator for its game development studio in Australia. The role focuses on creating high-quality 2D animations for slot machines, mentoring junior artists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver polished titles for the Australian market.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years in game animation, a strong reel showing 2D animation skills, and experience working with real-time engines like Unity.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional animation experience in games.
• Experience animating for land-based gaming preferred.
• Strong understanding of animation principles for short-form, high-repetition game content.
• Ability to export assets for real-time game engines.

Responsibilities

• Design and produce animations for slot game elements and sequences.
• Translate storyboards into fluid, on-brand animation.
• Own animation timing and impact for wins, near-misses, and features.
• Collaborate with game designers to align pacing with goals.

Skills

2D animation

Mentorship

Timing & rhythm

Animation principles

Collaboration

Tools

Unity

Job description

Gaming

Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it’s all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting‑edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe.

Position Summary

We're looking for a Senior Animator to join our game development studio, creating high‑impact animation for slot machine games destined for the Australian gaming market. You'll bring the game to life — and help the game stand out in a competitive market. This is a senior, hands‑on role for an animator who can both execute at a high level and mentor junior artists, while collaborating closely with the rest of the team to ship polished and competitive titles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and produce animations for slot game elements, including symbol wins, anticipation effects, reel transitions, feature sequences, jackpot celebrations, and character animations.
• Translate storyboards and game design documents into fluid, appealing, on‑brand animation.
• Own animation timing and impact — ensuring every win, near‑miss, and feature trigger feels appropriately rewarding.
• Collaborate with Game Designers to align animation pacing with the game's goals.
• Work closely with Developers to ensure animations are coming up correctly in‑engine, troubleshooting playback, timing, and performance issues.
• Maintain visual consistency across a game's full feature set and across a portfolio of titles/brand guidelines.
• Prepare and manage animation assets, rigs, and files for efficient handoff and reuse across projects.
• Review and provide creative and technical feedback on the work of junior and mid‑level animators; mentor and upskill team members.
• Contribute to pitch/concept work, including animatics and proof‑of‑concept animation for new game pitches.
• Stay current with animation trends, slot game market trends (locally and internationally), and competitor titles.

Essential Experience & Skills

• 4+ years of professional animation experience, ideally within the gaming industry.
• Prior experience animating for the land‑based gaming industry strongly preferred.
• Expert‑level proficiency in industry‑standard animation tools; preference for a solid 2D animation core.
• Strong understanding of animation principles and how to apply them to short‑form, high‑repetition game content.
• Experience preparing and exporting animation assets for real‑time game engines (Unity experience highly regarded).
• Excellent sense of timing and "feel" for what makes a moment satisfying.
• Ability to work within technical constraints without compromising quality.
• Strong communication skills and experience mentoring junior team members or directing animation on a project.
• A folio demonstrating character, FX/transition, and UI/motion graphics work. Examples of in‑field industry work – (titles and aspects worked on) deeply appreciated.

Highly Regarded

• Experience with rigging.
• Illustration or character design skills, and comfort collaborating on style development.
• Familiarity with the Australian market and regulations.
• Experience working in agile, cross‑functional game development teams.
• Experience with 3D‑to‑2D hybrid workflows or particle/FX tools is a plus but not required.

What You'll Need To Bring

• A strong portfolio/showreel demonstrating relevant 2D animation work (slots/casino, mobile, or broadcast games preferred).
• Full working rights in Australia.

Why Join Us?

• Exceptional Talent: Join forces with some of the brightest minds in the industry and unleash your full potential.
• Global Impact: Be part of a truly global team and make your mark on the gaming landscape worldwide.
• Innovative Culture: Innovation is in our DNA. Join a team that thrives on pushing boundaries, embracing new technologies, and redefining what's possible in gaming.
• Endless Opportunities: Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or just starting your career, Light & Wonder offers endless opportunities for growth, development, and advancement. With a wide range of roles and career paths available, the possibilities are limitless.
• Positive Impact: Beyond creating unforgettable gaming experiences, Light & Wonder is committed to making a positive impact on the world. Join us in supporting charitable initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and giving back to the communities where we live and work.
• Passionate Community: Join a community of passionate gamers and industry professionals who share your love for gaming and commitment to excellence.

Want to know what else you get?

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 4:1 on‑site working arrangement
• Company‑paid parental leave
• Access to the LinkedIn learning suite
• Novated car leasing
• Rewards & Recognition Program
• Employee wellness programs
• Company-sponsored events and activities

Light and Wonder is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, age, or background. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

A workplace where you belong:

Light & Wonder are committed to creating an inclusive, positive, and safe environment where our Creators feel valued and respected. Celebrating diversity not only enriches the workplace but also promotes innovation and understanding amongst our Creators. Light & Wonder recognizes the importance of embracing diversity and actively encouraging applications from candidates from all backgrounds.