Senior Narrative Animator

Zeni Max Media, Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Senior Animator to join their creative team. In this exciting role, you will bring fantastical creatures and characters to life through high-quality animations, collaborating closely with design and engineering teams to define new narrative gameplay systems. Your expertise will shape the players' experience, allowing you to contribute original ideas and artistic vision to the development of genre-defining gameplay. This dynamic environment encourages autonomy and problem-solving, making it a perfect opportunity for those eager to innovate and lead in the gaming industry.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation time

Paid sick and mental health time

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Basic life insurance

Paid holidays

Wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience as an animator for games or narrative systems.
• Strong understanding of animation pipelines and industry processes.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality keyframe and motion capture animations for characters.
• Collaborate with design and engineering to define new gameplay systems.

Skills

Animation for games

Cinematic systems development

Character animation

3D Studio Max

Maya

Motion capture

Problem-solving

Collaboration across disciplines

Education

BFA in Animation

Equivalent experience

Tools

Xsens mocap systems

Motion Builder

Job description

Overview

ZeniMax Online is looking for a highly motivated Senior Animator with experience in Narrative Systems to collaborate with our talented team of creative professionals bringing the stories of our creatures and characters to life in an exciting new AAA Experience. Our teams are empowered to create, challenged to learn, and encouraged to lead. Harness your passion and creativity to develop genre-defining gameplay and interactive storytelling.

The preferred location for this role is Hunt Valley, MD, Austin, TX, or Madison, WI. Will consider remote.

Responsibilities

• Bring fantastical and realistic creatures and characters to life with high-quality keyframe and motion capture animation
• Collaborate with design and engineering and define new Narrative Gameplay systems
• Contribute to the creative process with original ideas and inspiration that will shape the players' experience
• Apply artistic vision to gameplay and in-game storytelling with designers and animators
• Build and use libraries of gestures and poses to create believable personas as well as custom actions and moments
• Participate in motion capture shoots and craft keyframe and motion capture performances
• Work directly with the character team to develop character and creature models with believable proportions and help define rigging and other animation considerations
• Autonomous problem-solving in a dynamic environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience as an animator for games or narrative systems
• Experience developing new gameplay mechanics from the ground up
• Understanding of cinematic systems development
• Ability to combine acting and action to bring personality and appeal to characters and monsters alike
• Understanding of animation pipelines and standard industry processes
• Possess technical knowledge/abilities with respect to the implementation of animation into a game engine
• Strong understanding of fundamental animation principles and the ability to clearly communicate those ideas to others
• Experience collaborating across all disciplines
• Must show an aptitude for learning new systems quickly
• Have extensive knowledge of 3D Studio Max, Maya, or Motion Builder

*Portfolio: Please include links to your work and clearly indicate your contributions. Resumes without work samples will not be considered.*

Preferred Skills

• A minimum of BFA with a major in Animation or equivalent experience, additional related education a plus
• Experience with motion capture and realistic human performance
• Training or experience with acting or combat
• Experience with Xsens mocap systems
• Excellent drawing or related traditional art skills demonstrated in a portfolio
• Have a deep understanding of anatomy and human kinetics, demonstrated through a working knowledge of martial arts, dance, or related experience

Salary Range

Senior Animator - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $75,000 - $165,000 per year.

ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate’s primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.

This position is in a union and represented by the Communication Workers of America.

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do – from recruiting for our studios, publishing and operations to fostering safe and respectful workplaces that encourage collaboration. Our culture is based on principles of respect, inclusion, and fair treatment and we welcome anyone into our family without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

Our diversity fuels our innovation and inspires us to create game worlds that bring us closer to the global community of players we serve.