Senior 3D Animator for Game Development

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

On-site team events

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior 3D Animator to join a Randburg-based award-winning video game studio. The role requires minimum 6 years in 3D game animation and strong portfolios demonstrating character work and cinematics.

You will use Maya/3ds Max/Blender and game engines (Unity/Unreal) to deliver expressive, in-engine animations and collaborate across designers, artists, and animators in a fast-paced studio.

Qualifications

• Degree in Animation or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 6 years of professional 3D game animation experience with a strong portfolio.
• Expert proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max or Blender and game engine pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character and environmental animations for video games with realism and style.
• Animate keyframes, motion capture data, and in-engine animations.
• Collaborate with designers and narrative teams to convey character motivations through motion.
• Work with technical artists to integrate animations into the game engine.
• Polish animations to achieve top-tier quality and performance.
• Provide constructive feedback to junior animators and participate in reviews.
• Develop and maintain animation pipelines and best practices.
• Stay updated on new animation techniques and industry trends.

Skills

3D Animation

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Unity

Unreal Engine

Rigging

Skinning

Storytelling

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an award-winning video game studio, is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator to join their passionate team in Randburg . This pivotal role involves bringing characters and environments to life through exceptional animation, contributing to the development of immersive and engaging gaming experiences. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of animation principles, kinematics, character performance, and game engine pipelines. You will collaborate closely with game designers, art directors, and fellow animators to create fluid, believable, and impactful animations that elevate the overall quality of the game. This position requires on-site presence in Gauteng to foster seamless collaboration within the studio's creative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character and environmental animations for video games, ensuring realism, expressiveness, and adherence to artistic style.
• Animate keyframes, motion capture data, and in-engine animations.
• Collaborate with game designers and narrative teams to understand character motivations and convey them through animation.
• Work with technical artists to ensure smooth integration of animations into the game engine.
• Refine and polish animations to achieve the highest standards of quality and performance.
• Provide constructive feedback to junior animators and contribute to team critiques.
• Develop and maintain animation pipelines and best practices.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest animation techniques, tools, and industry trends in game development.
• Troubleshoot animation-related issues and implement effective solutions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in 3D game animation, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse character animation and game cinematics.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Strong understanding of body mechanics, character performance, and storytelling through animation.
• Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Knowledge of rigging and skinning principles is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to take direction and feedback effectively, and to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• A passion for video games and a keen eye for detail in animation.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and paid vacation. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, including training on new technologies and potential for career advancement within the studio. The role provides a chance to work on exciting, high-profile game titles, contributing to a company culture that values creativity and innovation. On-site amenities and regular team events are part of the workplace experience in Randburg , Gauteng .