Senior Narrative Gameplay Animator (Project Hire)

That’s No Moon Entertainment; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

That’s No Moon Entertainment in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior Narrative Gameplay Animator to craft AAA narrative moments, delivering high-quality in-game animations with Unreal Engine 5 and coordinating with cinematics. You will contribute to immersive storytelling through expertly timed motions that support gameplay.

The role requires mocap integration, collaboration with multiple departments, and maintaining an efficient Unreal pipeline.

Qualifications

• Senior experience with motion capture data and hand-key animation in games.
• Strong Unreal Engine animation experience, especially Sequencer.
• Expert Maya knowledge and animation rigging skills.
• Ability to integrate scripted animations with cinematics and gameplay.

Responsibilities

• Create and integrate AAA quality animations for scripted moments using Unreal Engine 5.
• Utilize motion capture data and hand-key animation effectively.
• Support the Unreal animation pipeline for scripted events.
• Collaborate with animators to ensure cohesion with cinematics and gameplay.
• Maintain high technical and aesthetic animation standards.
• Troubleshoot animation workflows, rigging, and pipeline issues proactively.
• Communicate with teams to give and receive feedback.
• Help establish standard animation methodologies.
• Participate in motion capture shoots when required.

Skills

Motion capture

Unreal Engine

Sequencer

Maya

Gameplay animation

Cinematics

Facial animation

Rigging

Team collaboration

Animation principles

Job description

That's No Moon is an independent studio of storytellers and game-makers who believe in the power of narrative-driven experiences. With a diverse team of talented developers, our shared vision is to create the future of AAA experiences with a culture of creativity, collaboration, and responsible production practices. Our passionate team of developers helps shape our studio, our projects, and our future.

We are looking for a Senior Narrative Gameplay Animator with a passion and drive for creating incredible animations for a AAA title. Be the go-to person in supporting immersive, narrative moments throughout the game. The animation will be of the highest quality and in-game functionality. This person will collaborate with other departments and key roles such as the Lead Animator, Camera Layout, Design, Tech Art and Stage. This role will contribute to the unified goal of creating scripted animations that are functional, narrative driven, fluid and will tie into cinematics and gameplay seamlessly.

Responsibilities:

• Create and integrate AAA quality animations for scripted moments within the game using Unreal Engine 5
• Use motion capture optimally and hand-key appropriately
• Support the creation and maintenance of an Unreal pipeline for scripted events
• Collaborate and work alongside other animators to ensure that animations are cohesive with cinematics and gameplay
• Work at the highest level, technically and aesthetically
• Be proactive with troubleshooting any animation workflow, rigging and pipeline issues
• Communicate effectively with animators, engineers, realization team, and design, to give and accept feedback
• Assist in establishing standard methodologies in animation
• Participate in motion capture shoots when needed

Requirements & Skills:

• Proven Senior experience working with motion capture data and hand-key animation in the game industry
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine, with an emphasis on animation and Sequencer
• Ability to work in all aspects of animation including biped, quadruped and vehicles
• Demo reel showing an understanding of animation principles, while including gameplay
• Experienced with specific gameplay animation editing including blending, cycles and layering
• Knowledge of previsualization and cinematography principles
• Expert knowledge of Maya
• Experience with creating and integrating scripted animations in engine
• Experience with facial animation
• Passionate about games and the enthusiasm to make the best!
• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills

Qualities:

• Flexibility in switching tasks to accommodate production priorities
• Ability to appreciate other department's perspectives

  Please note this is a short term contract slated to end December 2026.

  TNM considers a number of factors when determining each role's base pay range, including industry benchmarks, location, experience, and other job specific skills. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for other incentive compensation including equity and profit share. The estimated base pay range for this role is U.S. only and not applicable for locations outside of the U.S.

  The estimated base pay range for this role is a monthly rate between $9k-$11k USD per month.

  TNM offers competitive and comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, flexible PTO, supplemental life and disability, and more. Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary based on country of residence and/or part-time or temporary employment status.

  That's No Moon is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, color, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, legally protected physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.