Remote Lead Technical Animator

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Technology stipend for home office

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Remote Lead Technical Animator to join our fully remote development team. You will guide a distributed team, develop advanced character and creature rigs for real-time applications, and push animation technology boundaries.

The role focuses on building state-of-the-art animation systems for multi-platform delivery and collaborating with designers, animators, and engineers to meet project requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in technical animation and rigging for games or real-time applications.
• Proven experience in a lead or senior technical animation role.
• Expert proficiency in Maya and advanced rigging techniques.
• Strong experience with industry-standard game engines (Unreal Engine/Unity).
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or C# for tool development.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and motion capture data cleanup.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a remote team of technical animators, providing clear direction and feedback.
• Design, develop, and implement complex character and creature rigs for real-time applications.
• Create and maintain animation tools and pipelines to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with game designers, animators, and engineers to ensure animation systems meet project requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation, rigging, and performance.
• Optimize animation assets and systems for performance across various target platforms.
• Champion best practices in technical animation and stay ahead of industry trends and technologies.
• Conduct regular code reviews and performance evaluations for the technical animation team.
• Foster a collaborative and productive remote working environment.

Skills

Lead & mentorship

Maya & rigging

Unreal Engine

Python/C# scripting

Remote leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics/Animation

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in interactive entertainment, is seeking a visionary Remote Lead Technical Animator to join their fully remote development team. This pivotal role involves guiding a team of talented technical animators, developing advanced character and creature rigs, and pushing the boundaries of real-time animation technology. You will be instrumental in creating state-of-the‑art animation systems that deliver unparalleled player experiences across multiple platforms. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of animation principles, advanced rigging techniques, and expertise in industry‑standard tools and engines. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a high‑performing, distributed team and shape the future of animation in the gaming industry, all from the comfort of your home office. We are looking for someone passionate about innovation, collaboration, and creating lifelike digital characters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a remote team of technical animators, providing clear direction and feedback.
• Design, develop, and implement complex character and creature rigs for real‑time applications.
• Create and maintain animation tools and pipelines to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, animators, and engineers to ensure animation systems meet project requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation, rigging, and performance.
• Optimize animation assets and systems for performance across various target platforms.
• Champion best practices in technical animation and stay ahead of industry trends and technologies.
• Conduct regular code reviews and performance evaluations for the technical animation team.
• Foster a collaborative and productive remote working environment.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in technical animation and rigging for games or real‑time applications.
• Proven experience in a lead or senior technical animation role.
• Expert proficiency in Maya and advanced rigging techniques (e.g., facial rigging, muscle systems, IK/FK setups).
• Strong experience with industry‑standard game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, C#, or equivalent for tool development.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and motion capture data cleanup.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, especially in a remote setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, generous performance‑based bonuses, and a comprehensive remote work benefits package, including health insurance and a retirement savings plan. Employees receive a technology stipend for home office setup and maintenance. Opportunities for professional development, including online courses and virtual conferences, are readily available. You'll be part of a dynamic, international team dedicated to creating cutting‑edge interactive experiences, working from your chosen location without the need for relocation.