Senior 3D Animator

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Creative team culture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior 3D Animator for its animation studio in Nelspruit. You'll bring characters and environments to life with expressive performances across films, games, and ads.

Hybrid role with studio sessions in Nelspruit; portfolio and technical prowess in Maya/Blender/3ds Max are essential. Mentorship for juniors and collaboration with directors are key parts of the role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a 3D Animator with a strong portfolio.
• Expert proficiency in Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or similar.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, anatomy, and physics.
• Experience with rigging and motion capture cleanup is a plus.
• Excellent eye for detail and passion for bringing characters to life.
• Able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a hybrid environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to different animation styles.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Animate 3D characters, creatures, and objects to create believable performances.
• Apply timing, spacing, weight, and appeal to animations.
• Collaborate with directors to interpret character designs and scripts.
• Create keyframe animation for film, television, and games.
• Incorporate feedback and revise animations as required.
• Collaborate with rigging artists to ensure rigs are suitable for animation.
• Maintain high standards of animation quality and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to animation software and workflows.
• Mentor and guide junior 3D animators.

Skills

Character animation

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Rigging

Motion capture

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading animation studio situated in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga , is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator to contribute to their exciting range of projects. This role is essential for bringing characters and environments to life with realistic or stylized motion, contributing significantly to the narrative and visual appeal of animated films, games, and advertisements. The ideal candidate will possess a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional animation principles, character performance, and technical proficiency in 3D software. Working in a hybrid capacity, you will benefit from the flexibility of remote work while also engaging in collaborative sessions at our state-of-the-art studio in Nelspruit . We are looking for a creative, detail-oriented, and experienced animator who can work efficiently under deadlines and inspire junior team members. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic team and work on visually captivating projects that reach a global audience.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate 3D characters, creatures, and objects to create believable and engaging performances.
• Apply principles of animation, including timing, spacing, weight, and appeal.
• Work closely with directors and supervisors to interpret character designs and script requirements.
• Create keyframe animation for various applications, including film, television, and games.
• Incorporate feedback and make revisions to animations as required.
• Collaborate with rigging artists to ensure character rigs are suitable for animation.
• Maintain high standards of animation quality and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to animation software and workflows.
• Mentor and guide junior 3D animators.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a 3D Animator, with a strong portfolio showcasing excellent character animation and performance.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software such as Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or similar.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, anatomy, and physics.
• Experience with rigging, motion capture data cleanup, and simulation is a plus.
• Excellent eye for detail and a passion for bringing characters to life.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team in a hybrid environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to different animation styles and pipelines.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflective of your experience and skills.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering a balance of remote and in-studio collaboration in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga .
• Opportunity to work on diverse and high-impact animation projects.
• Access to advanced animation software and hardware.
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and creative team culture.
• Contribution to projects recognized within the entertainment industry.