Senior Animator

Mihira Visual Labs; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Mihira Visual Labs in Hyderabad is seeking a Senior Animator to create high-quality, performance-driven animations for cinematic, VFX, and CGI projects. You will mentor junior artists and collaborate with rigging, layout, assets, lighting, and production teams to deliver polished work.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of body mechanics, timing, storytelling, and lip sync, with at least 8 years of experience in feature animation or related fields, and a passion for pushing creative

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in feature animation, VFX, gaming, or cinematic production.
• Strong understanding of:
• Character animation
• Acting and performance
• Body mechanics
• Weight and balance
• Timing and spacing
• Lip sync and facial animation
• Excellent understanding of animation principles.
• Strong problem-solving and shot-planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple shots simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong attention to detail and quality.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character, creature, and object animations for cinematic and VFX productions.
• Develop believable performances with strong acting, facial expressions, body mechanics, and weight.
• Interpret storyboards, animatics, layouts, and director's feedback to produce compelling animation.
• Collaborate with Rigging, Modeling, Layout, FX, Lighting, and Compositing teams to ensure smooth production workflows.
• Ensure animation quality meets project standards while maintaining production deadlines.
• Troubleshoot animation and rig-related issues, coordinating with the rigging team when required.
• Review, refine, and polish animation shots based on creative and technical feedback.
• Mentor junior and mid-level animators by providing constructive feedback and technical guidance.
• Participate in dailies, reviews, and creative discussions.
• Help establish animation workflows, best practices, and quality benchmarks.

Skills

Character animation

Acting & performance

Body mechanics

Timing & spacing

Lip sync & facial animation

Communication & collaboration

Attention to detail

Tools

Autodesk Maya

MotionBuilder

Blender

Python/MEL scripting

Job description

Job Description:

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Animator to create high-quality, performance-driven animations for cinematic, VFX, and CGI projects. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of body mechanics, acting, timing, and storytelling, with the ability to deliver polished animation while mentoring junior artists and collaborating closely with rigging, layout, assets, lighting, and production teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character, creature, and object animations for cinematic and VFX productions.
• Develop believable performances with strong acting, facial expressions, body mechanics, and weight.
• Interpret storyboards, animatics, layouts, and director's feedback to produce compelling animation.
• Collaborate with Rigging, Modeling, Layout, FX, Lighting, and Compositing teams to ensure smooth production workflows.
• Ensure animation quality meets project standards while maintaining production deadlines.
• Troubleshoot animation and rig-related issues, coordinating with the rigging team when required.
• Review, refine, and polish animation shots based on creative and technical feedback.
• Mentor junior and mid-level animators by providing constructive feedback and technical guidance.
• Participate in dailies, reviews, and creative discussions.
• Help establish animation workflows, best practices, and quality benchmarks.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in feature animation, VFX, gaming, or cinematic production.
• Strong understanding of:
• Character animation
• Acting and performance
• Body mechanics
• Weight and balance
• Timing and spacing
• Lip sync and facial animation
• Excellent understanding of animation principles.
• Strong problem-solving and shot-planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple shots simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong attention to detail and quality.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Autodesk Maya.
• Good understanding of animation rigs and production pipelines.
• Familiarity with camera animation and layout workflows.
• Knowledge of animation in Blender and Motion-builder would be a Plus.
• Experience working with Motion capture and Facial capture data is an added advantage.
• Basic scripting knowledge (Python/MEL) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on feature films, high-end VFX, or AAA game cinematics.
• Understanding and Knowledge of storyboarding, 2D animation and 2D character designs, posing, sketch would be a Plus.
• Understanding of Unreal Engine animation workflows is an advantage.
• Knowledge of USD-based pipelines is a plus.
• Experience mentoring artists or leading animation sequences.

What We're Looking For

• Passion for storytelling through animation.
• Strong artistic eye and attention to detail.
• Ability to take ownership of shots from blocking to final polish.
• Directly working with Directors and VFX Supes to bring their Ideas to life.
• Positive attitude, communication, adaptability, and willingness to collaborate.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment.

Ready to push boundaries and leave your creative mark? Join a team that values bold ideas, collaboration, and growth, let's create something extraordinary together.

Requirements