Animator - 3D Character & Environments

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote position

Diverse and exciting projects

Professional development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled 3D Animator specializing in character and environment animation for remote Arts & Entertainment projects. You will bring digital worlds to life with fluid, expressive animation and collaborate with art and design teams to enhance storytelling and immersion.

You will work remotely with Maya, 3ds Max or Blender, and contribute to diverse projects while maintaining performance and pipeline standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a 3D Animator with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, Blender or similar.
• Solid understanding of timing, spacing, weight and anticipation.
• Experience with motion capture cleanup and integration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Animate 3D characters with believable movement, performance and emotion.
• Create high-quality environmental animations including dynamic elements and atmosphere.
• Collaborate with modelers, riggers and TDs to optimize assets and ensure integration.
• Interpret storyboards, animatics and director notes to deliver compelling sequences.
• Work within established art styles and pipelines to maintain quality.

Skills

3D Animator

Animation software

Animation principles

Motion capture

Remote collaboration

Artistic eye

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled and imaginative Animator specializing in 3D character and environment animation for their remote Arts & Entertainment projects. This position requires bringing digital characters and worlds to life through fluid, expressive, and technically sound animation. You will work closely with the art and design teams to create breathtaking visuals that enhance storytelling and player/viewer immersion. This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented animator to contribute to innovative projects from a remote location, leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques in a dynamic digital landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate 3D characters, ensuring believable movement, performance, and emotional expression according to project requirements.
• Create high-quality environmental animations, including dynamic elements, effects, and atmospheric details.
• Collaborate with character modelers, riggers, and technical directors to ensure animation assets are optimized and integrate seamlessly.
• Interpret storyboards, animatics, and director's notes to deliver compelling animated sequences.
• Work within established art styles and technical pipelines, maintaining consistency and quality.
• Continuously refine animation techniques and explore new approaches to enhance visual storytelling.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a 3D Animator with a strong portfolio showcasing character and environment animation work.
• Proficiency in 3D animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, or similar.
• Solid understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight, and anticipation.
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and independently in a remote environment.
• Strong artistic eye and a passion for bringing digital worlds and characters to life.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote position, offering great flexibility.
• Opportunity to work on diverse and exciting 3D animation projects.
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture focused on artistic excellence.