Lead Technical Animator

2K Games; Brighton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative game development studio is seeking a Lead Technical Animator to oversee character animation integration into gameplay systems. The ideal candidate will guide a team of technical animators and optimize animation workflows in Unreal Engine. Responsibilities include ensuring high-quality animations, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating closely with designers and engineers to enhance gameplay experience. This full-time role offers a chance to shape the next generation of narrative-driven games in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience integrating character animation into gameplay within Unreal Engine.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for runtime animation issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of technical animators.
• Design and optimize gameplay animation systems using Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to align animation systems.

Skills

Integrating character animation into gameplay

Unreal Animation systems knowledge (Blueprints, State Machines, Control Rig)

Understanding gameplay mechanics

Collaborative skills with design teams

Problem-solving for runtime issues

Excellent communication

Tools

Unreal Engine

MotionBuilder

Maya

Job description

Job Type

Permanent (fixed term internship)

Who We Are

Home to the award winning Mafia franchise our team are united by passion for rich narrative storytelling cinematic presentation and AAA craft. We are looking for creative minds and driven professionals who share our love of story style and adventure. If you’re ready to help shape the next generation of narrative driven games we would love to hear from you.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Lead Technical Animator to oversee the integration of character animations into gameplay systems ensuring animations are responsive high quality and aligned with the project’s creative and technical vision. As a bridge between animation design and engineering this role ensures animation systems enhance gameplay feel and performance across the entire player experience. A hands‑on leader the Lead Technical Animator guides a team of technical animators, develops efficient animation workflows, tackles complex runtime challenges in Unreal, and collaborates with external co‑development partners to ensure their work aligns with our creative vision and technical standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead mentor and support a team of technical animators fostering both individual development and strong project delivery.
• Design, implement, and optimize gameplay animation systems using Unreal Engine tools such as Animation Blueprints, Motion Matching, State Machines, and Control Rig.
• Integrate and refine character animations to ensure responsiveness, fluid transitions, and strong gameplay feel in real‑time environments.
• Collaborate closely with designers, animators, and engineers to align animation systems with gameplay mechanics and design intent.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex animation‑related issues to maintain performance stability and visual quality.
• Translate creative and technical goals into clear, achievable animation system designs and scoped deliverables.
• Champion best practices across departments ensuring alignment and knowledge sharing on technical animation standards.
• Collaborate with and provide feedback to animation co‑dev/outsourcing partners.

Essential Skills, Attributes and Experience

• Extensive experience integrating character animation into gameplay within Unreal Engine.
• Expert knowledge of Unreal Animation systems including Blueprints, State Machines, Control Rig, and Sequencer.
• Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, character movement, and player responsiveness.
• Proven ability to collaborate with design to enhance gameplay feel and support feature development.
• Experience in gameplay prototyping, iteration, and system design.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills for diagnosing and resolving runtime animation issues.
• Excellent communication and cross‑disciplinary collaboration skills.

Highly Desirable

• Familiarity with C and Python for animation workflow tools or automation.
• Ability to animate using motion capture (MotionBuilder) or keyframe animation in Maya.
• Experience leading technical animation efforts on a large‑scale or open‑world project.
• Understanding of performance optimisation for complex animation systems in Unreal Engine.
• Interest in emerging animation technologies, workflows, and procedural systems.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Hangar 13 prides itself on the diversity of its team members, partners, and communities. For this reason we remain committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship from recruitment and hiring through compensation benefits discipline and termination. As an equal opportunity employer we also commit to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need to request reasonable accommodation.