Senior 3D Animator - Character & Environment Design

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Creative studio environment

Diverse projects

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Senior 3D Animator to bring characters, objects and environments to life for diverse projects. You will work with artists, technical staff and directors to deliver compelling motion.

Candidates should show a strong reel and proficiency in Maya, Blender or 3ds Max, solid animation principles, and rigging/real-time engine experience. The role offers a hybrid work model and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience with high-quality 3D animation.
• Strong portfolio showing character and/or environment work.
• Solid understanding of animation principles, timing, weight and performance.
• Experience with rigging is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D animations for characters, creatures, props, and environments.
• Apply timing, weight, anticipation, and follow-through to motion.
• Collaborate with character modelers and riggers to ensure animations are technically sound and aesthetically pleasing.
• Work with directors and leads to interpret and execute animation requirements.
• Iterate on animations based on feedback from the team and stakeholders.
• Ensure animation quality and consistency across all project assets.
• Optimize animations for performance within real-time engines.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in 3D animation techniques and software.
• Mentor junior animators and contribute to building a strong animation department.

Skills

3D animation

Character animation

Environment animation

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a dynamic and innovative studio specializing in interactive media and visual storytelling. We are seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator to join our talented team in Vereeniging, Gauteng . In this role, you will be instrumental in bringing characters, objects, and environments to life through captivating and realistic animations. You will collaborate closely with character artists, technical artists, and directors to achieve the desired aesthetic and performance for our projects. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of animation principles, a keen eye for detail, and proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your expertise to exciting projects and grow within a supportive and creative professional environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D animations for characters, creatures, props, and environmental elements.


• Apply principles of timing, weight, anticipation, and follow-through to create believable motion.


• Collaborate with character modelers and riggers to ensure animations are technically sound and aesthetically pleasing.


• Work with directors and leads to interpret and execute animation requirements.


• Iterate on animations based on feedback from the team and stakeholders.


• Ensure animation quality and consistency across all project assets.


• Optimize animations for performance within real-time engines.


• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in 3D animation techniques and software.


• Mentor junior animators and contribute to building a strong animation department.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a 3D Animator in the entertainment industry (games, film, or animation).


• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality character and/or environment animation.


• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).


• Solid understanding of animation principles, including body mechanics, weight, and performance.


• Experience with character rigging and skinning is a plus.


• Familiarity with real-time game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) is advantageous.


• Excellent attention to detail and a strong artistic sensibility.


• Ability to take direction and provide constructive feedback.


• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.


• Opportunity to work on exciting and diverse projects.


• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.


• Professional development and training opportunities.


• Be part of a creative and collaborative studio environment.