Character Animator

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Work on exciting game titles

Professional development

Studio culture in Klerksdorp

Access to modern animation tools

Team events and social activities

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp is seeking a skilled Character Animator to bring game characters to life. This hybrid role blends in-office collaboration with remote work, focusing on high-quality animations that convey personality and movement for exciting game titles.

The candidate will work with art and design teams, refining animation to meet artistic vision and gameplay requirements, while staying current with industry techniques and tools.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of professional character animation experience in games.
• Strong demo reel showcasing character animation, body mechanics, timing.
• Proficiency in Maya.
• Experience with Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Solid understanding of animation principles (timing, spacing, squash & stretch).
• Ability to work in a hybrid team and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters for gameplay, cinematics, and in-game events with fluidity and emotion.
• Implement animations using Maya and game engines (Unity/Unreal).
• Collaborate with artists and riggers to understand models and rigging.
• Ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and player feedback.
• Create locomotion, combat, expressions, and special abilities.

Skills

Character animation

Body mechanics

Timing & pacing

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation/Art

Tools

Maya

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic game development studio based in Klerksdorp, is seeking a skilled Character Animator to bring game characters to life. This position operates on a hybrid model, combining the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. You will be responsible for creating high-quality character animations that convey personality, emotion, and believable movement. This role requires a strong understanding of animation principles, body mechanics, and creature animation. You will work closely with the art and design teams to ensure that animations meet the artistic vision and gameplay requirements for our projects. Join our team and contribute to visually engaging and character-driven gaming experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters for gameplay, cinematics, and in-game events, ensuring fluidity, realism, and emotional depth.
• Implement and refine animation using industry-standard software and game engines (e.g., Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Collaborate with character artists and riggers to understand character models and rigging systems.
• Work closely with game designers to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics, controls, and player feedback.
• Interpret animation direction and feedback from supervisors and directors to achieve desired results.
• Create a variety of animations, including locomotion, combat, expressions, and special abilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve animation-related issues, ensuring smooth integration into the game.
• Maintain a consistent quality and style of animation throughout the project.
• Keep abreast of new animation techniques and technologies.
• Optimize animations for performance and memory usage on target platforms.

Requirements

• 2-4 years of professional experience as a Character Animator in the game industry.
• A strong demo reel showcasing excellent character animation skills, including body mechanics, acting, and timing.
• Proficiency in 3D animation software such as Maya.
• Experience working with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Solid understanding of animation principles (e.g., timing, spacing, squash and stretch, anticipation).
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment, communicating clearly with both remote and in-office colleagues.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Good understanding of human and creature anatomy.
• Ability to take direction and incorporate feedback effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Passion for creating engaging character performances.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid work arrangement for work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work on exciting game titles with a talented team.
• Professional development and learning opportunities.
• Creative and collaborative studio culture in Klerksdorp.
• Access to modern animation tools and technology.
• Regular team events and social activities.
• Potential for career advancement within the studio.