Gameplay Animator (Senior+)

Velan Studios; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life, and DIS

Retirement savings plan

Paid holidays and flexible time off

Hybrid/onsite work at studio

Potential project leadership

Job summary

Velan Studios is seeking a Senior Gameplay Animator to elevate character movement, timing, and expressive gameplay feel. You will work in a fast prototyping team and contribute polished animation for production projects, collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to deliver memorable gameplay experiences.

You bring a 7+ year track record, a standout reel, and expert Maya skills, plus strong in-engine experience and a proactive mindset for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience animating for games with a focus on gameplay.
• Standout demo reel showing clear body mechanics, timing, and personality.
• Expert in Maya or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Hands-on experience working in-engine, focusing on state machine structures.
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to communicate technical needs to Eng/Tech Art/Design.

Responsibilities

• Help define and drive the game’s animation style with expressive mechanics.
• Own the full gameplay animation process from prototypes to polished performances.
• Drive in-engine development with animation systems and state machines.
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to push animation ideas.
• Document tools and workflows.
• Mentor other animators with feedback and guidance.
• Champion animation across the studio for clarity and responsiveness.

Skills

Gameplay animation

Character timing

State machines

Mentoring

Communication with design/engineering

Tools

Maya

In-engine animation

Python/MEL scripting

Job description

From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a roadmap. Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space fox back in the pilot's seat, that inventor's mindset runs through everything we do. We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company.

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. You’ll play a key role in defining how our characters move, respond and feel, crafting animation that’s both expressive and tightly integrated with gameplay. You should be equally comfortable working in a small, fast-paced prototyping team as you are creating polished, production-quality animation for larger projects. You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing gameplay feel. And your passion for bringing characters to life should only be matched by your love of diving into engine to bring all your animations together for an unforgettable gameplay experience.

Senior Gameplay Animator Responsibilities

• Help define and drive the game’s animation style with expressive, solid body mechanics that makes gameplay feel amazing.
• Take ownership of the full gameplay animation process, from rough prototypes to polished game performances.
• Drive in-engine development with excellent engine competency, including animation systems, state machines and other procedural animation techniques.
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to explore new ideas, solve tricky gameplay challenges, and push what’s possible through animation.
• Document tools and workflows.
• Mentor other animators, offering feedback, guidance, and support.
• Champion animation across the studio — always pushing for clarity, responsiveness, and that breath of life within every press of a button.
• Project Lead role based on project*

What is expected of an Art Lead at Velan Studios?

Lead roles are assignedon a per-project basisand not tied directly to the level of an employee’s position.Leads champion best practicesthat relate to theirarea of expertisebutalsorepresentall aspectsof itin interdisciplinary discussionsregardingscope, planning, tools,featuresand team updates.

As the project matures, leads may also be part of hiring andmentoring ofanyadditionalartiststhat might be needed within their fieldtoaccomplishproject goalsin a timely mannerand toa high levelofquality.Leads may also be expected to help assess their performance and aid in their career development.

• 7+ years of professional experience animating for games, with a focus on gameplay.
• A standout demo reel that shows clear body mechanics, timing, and personality.
• Expert in Maya or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Hands-on experience working in-engine, with focus on general state machine structures.
• Proactive and self-directed, with a good sense of when to explore and when to get things done.
• Able to effectively communicate technical needs and issues to Engineering/Tech Art/Design.
• Above all, deeply curious and passionate about creating responsive, character forward animation that makes gameplay feel amazing.

Big Pluses

• Experience leading small animation teams or driving animation direction
• Reel should include game or engine captures of your animations in gameplay context.
• Familiarity with motion matching, procedural animation, or other modern runtime techniques.
• Generalist skills in modeling, rigging, or related areas.
• A passion for game design and how animation supports player feedback, pacing, and readability
• Experience with motion capture.
• Basic scripting or tool-building experience (Python, MEL, or similar) to streamline workflows or prototype ideas.

This is a hybrid or onsite position. Hybrid is 3 days a week in studio. Our studios are located in Troy, NY and Toronto, ON.

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations. In addition to your salary, our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks, such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and flexible time-off benefits.

Canada Salary Ranges

• Senior: $85,000. - $120,000. CAD
• Specialist: $110,000.-$150,000. CAD

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about arolebut your experiencedoesn’talign perfectly, we encourage you tosubmita General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Weseekto create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.