Lead Animator

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Animator in Klerksdorp to drive animation quality across exciting game projects. You will lead a team of animators, set artistic direction, and ensure believable movement from characters to creatures.

Collaborate with design and art to shape emotional impact, mentor junior staff, and implement efficient animation pipelines while maintaining the studio's creative standards. This role also emphasizes leadership and growth within a creative studio in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as an Animator, with a lead role on multiple shipped titles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation skills, including acting, weight, and timing.
• Proficiency with animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or equivalent.
• Experience with motion capture cleanup and retargeting techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the animation team, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality character and environment animations, ensuring consistency and polish.
• Collaborate with game designers and directors to achieve the desired emotional impact and gameplay feel through animation.
• Develop and implement animation pipelines and best practices for efficiency and quality.
• Review animation work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring adherence to project goals and artistic vision.

Skills

Animation leadership

Character animation

Maya

3ds Max

Motion capture

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client is searching for an inspiring Lead Animator to drive the animation quality and direction for their exciting projects in Klerksdorp . You will lead a team of talented animators, ensuring the highest standards of character performance, motion capture integration, and general animation across all projects. This role involves close collaboration with the art and design departments to bring characters and creatures to life with compelling and believable movement. You will foster a creative and collaborative environment, mentoring junior animators and championing innovation in animation techniques within the studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the animation team, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality character and environment animations, ensuring consistency and polish.
• Collaborate with game designers and directors to achieve the desired emotional impact and gameplay feel through animation.
• Develop and implement animation pipelines and best practices for efficiency and quality.
• Review animation work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring adherence to project goals and artistic vision.

Requirements

• Extensive experience as an Animator , with a proven track record in a lead role on multiple shipped titles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation skills, including acting, weight, and timing.
• Proficiency with animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or equivalent.
• Experience with motion capture cleanup and retargeting techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous vacation and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth and training in Klerksdorp .
• A supportive and creative studio culture committed to excellence.