Senior 3D Combat Animator - Hybrid (Pasadena)

Hidden Variable Studios, LLC.; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gamer

Mobile Wrangler

F2P Mobile Fanatic

Unity Veteran

Agile Enthusiast

Smooth Operator

Job summary

Hidden Variable Studios, LLC. seeks a Senior 3D Gameplay Animator to direct and support high-quality 3D combat animations for an upcoming Fighting Game. Collaborate with the Art Director, Lead Combat Designer, and external partners to meet tight technical requirements and deliver a polished player experience.

The role is hybrid, combining remote work with in-office time at our Pasadena, CA headquarters. U.S.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in animation for games or 2+ years in combat-focused / Fighting Game animation with at least one shipped title
• Experience delivering high-quality combat animation within fixed frame-count limits
• Familiarity with Fighting Game terminology and the FGC ecosystem
• Ability to oversee animation tech (rigging, weighting, interpolation, dynamics) and collaborate with gameplay/VFX teams
• Strong aesthetic sensibilities and knowledge of 2D vs 3D animation differences
• Excellent communication for collaboration with external partners

Responsibilities

• Own the execution of combat animations meeting Fighting Game standards for timing, weight, and frame-count constraints
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to external animation partners
• Collaborate with Lead Combat Designer to deliver satisfying, responsive combat animation
• Coordinate with Design and Engineering to ensure animation integration with gameplay, troubleshoot issues
• Iterate animations with playtesting and stakeholder feedback
• Improve animation pipeline, tools, and best practices for scalable projects
• Scope animation work with Production and leads, track progress, mitigate risks
• Create select combat animations and provide templates or examples to illustrate quality

Skills

Combat/FGC knowledge

Outsourcing management

Communication

Rigging/Animation tech

Aesthetics

Creative direction

Rapid prototyping

Autonomy

Unity experience

Maya mastery

Tools

Maya

Unity

Job description

Hidden Variable Studios, LLC. seeks a Senior 3D Gameplay Animator to direct and support high-quality 3D combat animations for an upcoming Fighting Game. Collaborate with the Art Director, Lead Combat Designer, and external partners to meet tight technical requirements and deliver a polished player experience.

The role is hybrid, combining remote work with in-office time at our Pasadena, CA headquarters. U.S.