Senior Gameplay Animator

Sony Playstation; Washington; On-site; USD 106,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Sony Interactive Entertainment is hiring a Senior Gameplay Animator at Insomniac Games. You will create top‑tier gameplay animations, collaborate with designers and programmers to implement in engine using Maya and proprietary tools, and troubleshoot issues to meet creative and technical goals.

Responsibilities span hero traversal, combat, boss, camera cinematography, and open‑world sequences. Strong collaboration with art, audio, rigging, and design teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to develop high-quality gameplay animations for characters.
• Experience integrating animations in engine with Maya and bespoke tools.
• Proficiency using motion capture data and hand-key animation.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality animations for gameplay characters.
• Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement in engine using Maya and proprietary tools.
• Troubleshoot and resolve animation issues independently.
• Utilize motion capture data and hand key animation for believable characters.
• Cover hero traversal, combat, boss, camera cinematography, and open-world animation at a high level.
• Coordinate with Animation team to ensure cohesive execution of animation direction.
• Communicate with Designers, Programmers, Writers, PMs, Art, Audio, Rigging teams to resolve issues.

Skills

Animation

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Tools

Maya

Insomniac proprietary tools

MotionBuilder

Adobe Premiere

Microsoft Office

Game engine state machines

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting‑edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

Insomniac Games is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator. In this role the Senior Gameplay Animator is responsible for creating gameplay animation at the highest quality level set by Lead Animators and Animation Directors. They collaborate closely with other disciplines to ensure that animations are integrated into the game, supporting the creative, narrative vision, and technical requirements. The Senior Gameplay Animator works independently requiring minimal supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Develop high-quality animations for gameplay characters, ensuring alignment with artistic direction and technical standards.
• Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement animations in engine using expert skills in Maya and proprietary engine tools.
• Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.
• Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters.
• Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography, mission and open world animations at the highest level using advanced skills in game engine tools.
• Work with the Animation team to guarantee cohesive execution of the established animation direction across the game, providing constructive feedback as necessary.
• Communicate effectively with other disciplines, including Designers, Programmers, Writers, Project Managers, Art, Audio, Character and Rigging teams, to resolve issues and achieve project goals.
• Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Mathematical Skill's

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skill's

Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred), and a knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plus. Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine required.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.

$76.92 — $86 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.