Gaming and Media - Cinematic Animator 4

Apex Systems; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative game development studio in Vancouver is seeking a talented Cinematic Animator to join their dynamic team for a 12-month contract. In this role, you'll collaborate closely with creative leads to deliver high-quality animations for an iconic game franchise. Your expertise in key-frame and motion capture animation will be crucial as you work in a fast-paced environment, contributing to the overall creative direction and ensuring the highest standards of animation. This opportunity offers a unique chance to be part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence, all while pushing the boundaries of entertainment.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Employee Stock Purchase Program

401K with Company Match

Health Savings Account

Employee Assistance Program

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of experience in character and creature animation.
• Strong understanding of cinematic camera work and body mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Create character motions through key-frame and motion capture.
• Collaborate with the Animation Lead to implement creative direction.
• Deliver high-quality animation assets with precision and detail.

Skills

Key-frame Animation

Motion Capture Animation

Facial Animation

Cinematic Camera Work

Body Mechanics

Proactive Communication

Tools

Unreal Engine

MotionBuilder

Job description

Join a leading game development studio located in Vancouver, Canada, and become a part of the team behind an iconic game franchise. Our mission is to shape the future of this beloved IP and push the boundaries of entertainment platforms and devices. Our team is a blend of creative and technical talent from across the industry, working together to exceed fan expectations and explore new possibilities. We are committed to our values, fostering respect, inclusion, a growth mindset, and resilience, all while prioritizing our teams well-being. Come join us and lets achieve great things together!

CINEMATIC ANIMATOR

We are seeking a highly creative and motivated Cinematic Animator to join our team on a 1-year contract. In this position, you will work closely with the Animation Lead to deliver high-quality animations. You should be comfortable collaborating with Engineers, Technical Animation, and Rigging Directors in the development of our animation tools, pipelines, and systems. We value candidates who are not only technically skilled but also proactive in identifying and resolving issues before they impact deadlines. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of cinematic camera work, particularly with a handheld visual style, and demonstrate the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.

Terms:

• 12-month contract
• Hybrid (on-site 3 days, remote 2 days)

Responsibilities:

• Create character/creature motions through a blend of key-frame animation and motion capture.
• Collaborate with the Lead Cinematic Animator to implement the overall creative direction of our product.
• Deliver high-quality body and facial animation assets with speed, precision, and attention to detail.
• Contribute to animation tests, previs, layout, and final shot animation.
• Assist with motion capture shoots and help define technical and creative requirements.
• Actively communicate progress and potential issues, flagging risks ahead of deadlines.

Must-Haves:

• 3–7+ years of experience creating high-quality character and creature animation.
• Proficiency in both key-frame and motion capture animation.
• Proven experience animating realistic humans, with an emphasis on expressive and accurate facial animation.
• Prior experience working with FACS-based rigs for facial animation.
• A keen grasp of body mechanics, timing, weight, and shot composition to deliver believable character performances.
• A solid understanding of cinematic camera work, especially handheld styles used in storytelling and visual exploration.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine, Sequencer, and its interface.
• Ability to work quickly and adaptively, maintaining high quality under tight timelines.
• Proactive communication skills with a team-focused mindset.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience using MotionBuilder.
• Technical understanding of animation tools, pipelines, and systems.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to contribute creatively and technically.
• Demoreels that demonstrate experience in the above areas.

Whats in it for you?

An opportunity to work for a world-renowned technology company testing a AAA game.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at [e-mail] or 844-463-6178.

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview:Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Apex team member can provide.