Senior 3D Animator

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Flexible schedule

Professional development resources

Health and well-being support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior 3D Animator to join its globally distributed, fully remote team. You will create high-quality 3D animations for games, films, and interactive experiences, collaborating with directors and artists to achieve the artistic vision.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, strong knowledge of animation principles, and proficiency in Maya/Blender/3ds Max and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Animator with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max; solid rigging and animation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character and object animations with realistic movement and performance.
• Collaborate with the animation director and team to achieve artistic vision and quality standards.
• Work with rigs and assets from rigging and modeling departments.
• Maintain strong timing, weight, and appeal in all animations.
• Optimize animations for target platforms/engines and iterate on feedback.
• Troubleshoot playback and integration issues; meet project deadlines.
• Stay updated on animation techniques and pipeline best practices.

Skills

Animation principles

Storytelling through motion

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier studio in the animation and interactive media space, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Senior 3D Animator to join their globally distributed, fully remote team. This role is perfect for an experienced animator who is passionate about bringing characters and objects to life with fluidity, realism, and emotional depth. You will be responsible for creating high-quality 3D animations for a variety of projects, including games, films, and interactive experiences. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of animation principles, excellent technical skills in 3D animation software, and a keen eye for timing, weight, and performance. You will collaborate with a talented team of artists and developers to achieve exceptional animation quality, contributing significantly to the storytelling and visual appeal of our client's productions. This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects from the comfort of your home studio, leveraging a remote-first work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Create high-quality character and object animations for various projects, ensuring realistic movement and performance. Collaborate with the animation director and other artists to achieve the desired artistic vision and quality standards. Work with rigs and assets provided by the rigging and modeling departments. Demonstrate a strong understanding of animation principles such as timing, spacing, weight, and appeal. Ensure all animations are optimized for performance within the target platform or engine. Iterate on animations based on feedback from supervisors and directors. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation playback and integration. Maintain a high level of productivity and meet project deadlines consistently. Stay current with the latest animation techniques, software, and industry trends. Contribute to the development and refinement of animation pipelines and best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Animator, with a strong portfolio showcasing high-quality animation work. Proficiency in 3D animation software such as Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max. Solid understanding of character rigging and animation workflows. Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) is a plus. Excellent understanding of body mechanics, acting, and storytelling through animation. Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing polished animations. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting. Good communication skills and the ability to receive and give constructive feedback. Experience in creature animation or facial animation is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package tailored for remote professionals. As a fully remote Senior 3D Animator, you will enjoy exceptional flexibility and work-life integration. We provide robust health, dental, and vision insurance, alongside other employee well-being programs. A generous annual leave allowance and paid public holidays are standard. Opportunities for continuous professional development, including access to online training resources, masterclasses, and virtual conferences, are actively supported. Our client cultivates a supportive and collaborative remote-first culture, valuing creativity, innovation, and personal growth. You will have the chance to work on groundbreaking projects that define the future of animation and digital media. Join a company that empowers its talent and offers significant career advancement opportunities in a dynamic industry.