Brown Bag Films hiring 3D Animator, Dublin

Festybay; Dublin; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative-first culture

Professional growth opportunities

Competitive salary

Job summary

A leading animation studio in Dublin seeks a skilled 3D Animator for a six-month contract. The role involves creating high-quality character animations and maintaining animation assets while collaborating closely with the production team. You will need a proficiency in Autodesk Maya and an understanding of body mechanics and facial posing. A creative-first culture awaits, offering flexibility and a competitive salary within the Irish animation market.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Autodesk Maya is essential for creating high-quality animations.
• Ability to interpret storyboards and create dynamic 3D performances.
• Understanding body mechanics to create grounded character animations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality animation that aligns with project requirements.
• Create and maintain libraries of reusable animation assets.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure a smooth production pipeline.

Job description

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and passionate 3D Animator to join our production team. This role is ideal for a creative professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of character performance and technical execution.

Job Overview: Animator

Category Details

Company Name Brown Bag Films

Job Title Animator

Function Production

Salary Range €32,000.00 – €37,000.00 (Annualized)

Job Type Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract (6 Months)

Office Location Dublin, Ireland

Work Model Hybrid (Minimum 2 days per week in-studio)

Primary Software Autodesk Maya

The Role: Crafting Performance and Quality

As an Animator at Brown Bag Films, you aren’t just moving objects on a screen; you are breathing life into characters that will inspire the next generation. You will be an integral part of the production pipeline, bridging the gap between technical rigging and final cinematic output. Your primary focus will be delivering high-quality animation that aligns with the specific stylistic needs of our current projects while staying within the logistical boundaries of the production schedule.

This position requires a delicate balance of artistic flair and technical efficiency. You will be expected to produce expressive, fluid animation that conveys emotion and personality through subtle performance and strong body mechanics.

The core of this role involves the creation of character animation for episodic or feature-length content. You will work closely with the Animation Lead and Director to ensure that the vision for each scene is realized. This includes:

• Interpreting storyboards and animatics to translate 2D concepts into dynamic 3D performances.
• Ensuring consistency in character behavior and movement across multiple shots.
• Meeting strict weekly quotas without compromising the “appeal” and quality of the final product.

2. Asset Library Development

To maintain efficiency across the production, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining libraries of reusable animation assets. This involves:

• Developing standard “cycles” (walks, runs, idles) that fit the specific anatomy and personality of various characters.
• Creating banks of facial expressions and phonemes to streamline the lip-sync and emotional performance phases.
• Organizing these assets so they are easily accessible to the wider animation team.

Animation does not exist in a vacuum. You will act as a key collaborator with other departments to ensure the pipeline remains smooth:

• Rigging/Modeling: Providing feedback to rigger and modelers during the development of 3D character rigs. You will help identify limitations in the rig and suggest improvements to deformations or controls to better serve the animation process.
• Pre-Production: Working with the pre-viz or layout teams to ensure that the transition from initial blocking to final animation is seamless.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Maya: This is our primary tool. You must have a deep, professional-level understanding of the Maya animation interface, including the Graph Editor, Time Editor, and constraints.
• 3D Animation Experience: A proven track record in a professional studio environment. You should be comfortable working with complex character rigs and managing high-density keyframe data.
• Unreal Engine (Desirable): As the industry shifts toward real-time rendering, experience with Unreal Engine’s Sequencer and Control Rig is a significant advantage.
• Animation Qualification: While your portfolio/showreel is the most important factor, a formal degree or diploma in Animation or a related field is highly desirable.

Artistic Knowledge

• Body Mechanics: You must demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of weight, balance, physics, and timing. We look for animators who can make a character feel grounded in their environment.
• Facial Posing: The ability to create appealing expressions is paramount. You should understand how to use facial anatomy to convey clear emotions while avoiding “uncanny valley” or “mushy” deformations.
• Acting and Performance: You should have an instinct for “the beat.” Knowing when to use a subtle eye dart or a heavy sigh to convey a character’s internal thought process is what sets our animators apart.

Soft Skills and Professionalism

• Communication: You must be able to take constructive criticism and “notes” from Directors and Supervisors with a positive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Team Integration: A track record of working effectively with artistic staff, production management, and technical leads is essential.
• Time Management: In a fast-paced production environment, the ability to estimate the time required for a task and stick to deadlines is crucial.

Working Environment & Eligibility

The Dublin Studio Experience

Our Dublin studio is a hub of creativity located in one of the world’s most vibrant cities for digital media. We operate on a hybrid model, which offers the flexibility of remote work while maintaining the vital social and creative connection of in-person collaboration. All candidates must be able to commit to being in the studio for a minimum of two days per week.

Contractual Details

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract. While this is a specific project-based role, Brown Bag Films is constantly growing, and we often look to retain top talent for future projects.

Right to Work

Crucial Requirement: The successful candidate must possess the legal right to work in Ireland for the full duration of the contract. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this specific fixed-term role at this time. Please ensure you have the necessary documentation (e.g., EU Citizenship, Stamp 4, etc.) before applying.

When you join Brown Bag, you are joining a family of creators who are genuinely obsessed with the craft. We offer:

• A creative-first culture where your input is valued.
• The opportunity to work on world-class IP known by millions.
• A supportive environment that encourages learning and professional growth.
• A competitive salary within the Irish animation market.

If you have the technical skills, the artistic eye, and the passion for storytelling, we want to see your work. Please submit your application along with a link to your current Showreel and Breakdown Sheet.

Brown Bag Films is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.