Senior 3D Gameplay Animator

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 is looking for a Senior 3D Gameplay Animator to help direct and support animation efforts for an upcoming Fighting Game. As Senior 3D Gameplay Animator, you will collaborate with the Art Director, Lead Combat Designer, and external animation partners to deliver high-quality 3D combat animations that require exacting precision. This role is ideal for someone with a track record of managing smooth, effective outsourcing pipelines to meet high technical requirements. Your insight, creativity, and attention to detail will directly shape the overall feel and player experience of our game.

This is a hybrid role, combining work-from-home time with in-office time at our brand new headquarters in Pasadena, CA. U.S. work authorization is required. This is intended as a full-time position in our Art Department.

Responsibilities

What do we expect from you on a day to day basis? Here are the essential functions of the job:

• Own the execution of the combat animations so they meet Fighting Game standards for timing, weight, responsiveness, and frame-count constraints.
• Drive quality standards and give clear, actionable feedback to our external animation partners so their work meets Fighting Game requirements.
• Partner with the Lead Combat Designer to deliver combat animation that feels satisfying, impactful, and responsive.
• Collaborate with Design and Engineering to ensure animations integrate seamlessly with gameplay mechanics, including troubleshooting any issues with implementation.
• Iterate and refine gameplay animations, incorporating playtesting and stakeholder feedback.
• Adapt and improve our animation pipeline, tools, and best practices to facilitate effective scaling as our projects progress.
• Coordinate with Production and other leads to scope out animation work, track progress, proactively identify and mitigate project risks, and support timely delivery of milestones.
• Create select combat animations when needed, including bug fixes, templates, or examples that illustrate the quality bar.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will reflect each of these key qualities:

• Professional - You have 5+ years of experience working in animation for games or 2+ years of experience in combat-focused / Fighting Game animation for games, with at least one shipped title. Your portfolio demonstrates strong combat or Fighting Game animations.
• Returning Champ - You have worked on a Fighting Game and can deliver high-quality combat animation within fixed frame-count limits.
• Insider - You understand Fighting Game terminology and can "talk shop" with members of the FGC.
• Rigmaster - You can oversee animation tech (rigging, weighting, interpolation, dynamics) and work with gameplay and VFX experts, riggers, and technical animators so that animations meet technical requirements.
• Artisan - You possess top-tier aesthetic sensibilities, with an unerring eye for high quality animation, including combat / Fighting Game animation and specifically 2D vs 3D differences.
• Ambassador - You have the ability to clearly communicate ideas both verbally and visually to diverse audiences, and can forge strong collaborative relationships with external art partners. You can give and receive feedback with equanimity, style, and grace.
• Wellspring - You are a fount of new ideas. You can discover solutions through rapid prototyping and are able to clearly articulate a vision to those around you.
• Bootstrapper - As a highly motivated individual, you are able to excel in a fast-paced environment, either autonomously or collaboratively.
• Technician - You are familiar with game engine platforms (preferably Unity) and are comfortable implementing assets independently.
• Precisionist - You build your work with attention to detail and visual consistency. Your output is highly organized and labeled.
• Maya Master - You have proficiency with Maya and are adept at using it effectively to iterate with other animators on their work.

Bonus Features

Extras we hope to see in the most competitive candidates:

• Gamer - You are an avid Fighting Game player, and stay up to date on trends in the industry's top games.
• Mobile Wrangler - This isn't your first rodeo. In addition to having Fighting Game experience, you also have reps working on mobile games and understand art optimization best practices for mobile devices.
• F2P Mobile Fanatic - You play all of the latest, greatest F2P games on mobile.
• Unity Veteran - You have familiarity using the Unity platform specifically, and know your way around the editor and its subcomponents.
• Agile Enthusiast - You have prior exposure with Agile development practices and are no stranger to backlogs and Scrum.
• Smooth Operator - When a game launches, the work has only just begun. You have experience working alongside a live ops team, addressing the ongoing needs of players month after month.

Compensation Below is the base salary range that HVS expects to pay applicants for this role in California. Salary offered will va