Lead Character Animator - Game Development

Placements24; Cape Town; Híbrido; ZAR 900.000 - 1.100.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work model

High-profile game titles

Creative and collaborative team

Descripción de la vacante

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Lead Character Animator in Cape Town to guide a team of animators and shape high-quality character performances for our studio's games. You will oversee pipelines, mentor artists, and collaborate with designers, engineers, and directors in a hybrid work setup.

The ideal candidate has a strong portfolio in game character animation, 6+ years of experience with at least 2 in a lead role, and fluency in industry tools like Maya, 3ds Max, Unreal Engine and Unity.

Formación

• Minimum 6 years of experience in character animation for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional character animation for games.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, Unreal Engine and Unity.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, anatomy, weight, timing, and performance.
• Experience with motion capture data editing and cleanup.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and mentor a team of character animators, setting artistic quality standards and workflows.
• Create high-quality character animations for in-game sequences, cinematics, and motion capture cleanup.
• Collaborate with character artists and technical animators for seamless integration of animations.
• Work with designers and directors to understand character roles and gameplay requirements.
• Develop and refine animation rigs and tools to improve efficiency and quality.
• Provide constructive feedback and direction to the animation team.
• Ensure animation assets meet performance and memory budgets.
• Participate in playtesting and iteration cycles to refine character performance.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and storytelling of the game.
• Manage animation schedules and deliverables within the hybrid work structure.

Conocimientos

Character animation

Leadership

Game engines

Maya

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Unity

Motion capture

Feedback

Team management

Herramientas

Maya

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Unity

Descripción del empleo

About the Role Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Character Animator to join their game development studio. This **hybrid** role, based in **Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA**, offers an exciting opportunity to shape the personality and movement of characters in cutting-edge video games. You will lead a team of animators, ensuring high-quality animation across all character assets and gameplay sequences. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio showcasing mastery of character animation for games, excellent leadership skills, and a deep understanding of game development pipelines. You will work collaboratively with game designers, artists, and programmers in a dynamic, **hybrid** environment, bringing virtual worlds to life with believable and engaging character performances. This is a chance to make a significant impact on beloved game titles and guide the artistic vision for character animation in **Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA**'s vibrant tech scene.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character animators, setting artistic quality standards and workflows.
• Create high-quality character animations for in-game sequences, cinematics, and motion capture cleanup.
• Collaborate closely with character artists and technical animators to ensure seamless integration of animations.
• Work with game designers and directors to understand character roles and gameplay requirements.
• Develop and refine animation rigs and tools to improve efficiency and quality.
• Provide constructive feedback and direction to the animation team.
• Ensure animation assets meet technical requirements for performance and memory budgets.
• Participate in playtesting and iteration cycles to refine character performance.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and storytelling of the game.
• Manage animation schedules and deliverables within the **hybrid** work structure.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in character animation for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional character animation skills and game development experience.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max) and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Deep understanding of animation principles, anatomy, weight, timing, and performance.
• Experience with motion capture data editing and cleanup.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Ability to provide clear and actionable feedback.
• Experience working in a **hybrid** or agile development environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Passion for video games and storytelling.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile game titles.
• Professional development and growth within a leading studio.
• Creative and collaborative team environment.
• Chance to influence character performance and player experience.
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and technology.