Senior 3D Animator & Technical Director

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 600.000 - 1.200.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Generous paid time off

Hybrid work model

State-of-the-art technology

Zusammenfassung

Placements24 is seeking a Senior 3D Animator and Technical Director in Stellenbosch. The role bridges artistic animation with technical VFX pipeline requirements and involves creating high-quality character and environment animation, plus developing animation tools and pipelines.

The ideal candidate combines strong artistic vision with technical proficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving, in a hybrid work setup in the Western Cape.

Qualifikationen

• 6+ years in 3D animation and TD in VFX/Animation
• Expert in Maya, 3ds Max or Blender
• Strong scripting for tools (Python, MEL)
• Solid understanding of animation, biomechanics, and rigging
• Proven troubleshooting of complex animation pipelines
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Portfolio with high-quality character animation and technical work

Aufgaben

• Animate characters, creatures, and environments to cinema standards.
• Develop and maintain animation tools, scripts, and pipelines.
• Collaborate with modeling, rigging, and VFX to integrate assets.
• Troubleshoot technical issues in animation and pipeline.
• Mentor junior animators and provide technical guidance.
• Interpret creative notes with directors and supervisors.
• Explore new animation techniques and technologies.
• Ensure assets meet rendering and compositing specs.
• Contribute to artistic vision and technical execution.

Kenntnisse

Maya/3ds Max/Blender

Python/MEL

Animation principles

Rigging

Pipeline debugging

Communication

Rendering engines

Ausbildung

Bachelor's in Animation/CG or equivalent

Tools

VFX pipelines

Jobbeschreibung

About the Role

Our client, a leading visual effects studio renowned for its award-winning work in film and television, is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator and Technical Director. This role is critical in bridging the gap between artistic animation and the technical requirements of complex VFX pipelines. The position is based in the scenic university town of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , with a hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility. You will be responsible for creating high-quality character and environment animations, developing animation tools and pipelines, and collaborating closely with other departments to ensure seamless integration of animated assets. We are looking for an individual with a strong artistic eye, exceptional technical proficiency, and a proven ability to solve complex animation challenges within a collaborative team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters, creatures, and environments to the highest cinematic standards, ensuring believable performance and emotional depth.
• Develop and maintain animation tools, scripts, and pipeline workflows to improve efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with the modeling, rigging, and VFX departments to ensure seamless integration of animated assets.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation, rigging, and pipeline integration.
• Mentor and guide junior animators, providing feedback and technical support.
• Work closely with the director and supervisors to interpret and execute creative notes accurately.
• Research and implement new animation techniques and technologies to push creative boundaries.
• Ensure animation assets meet technical specifications for rendering and compositing.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and technical execution of visual effects projects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in 3D animation and technical direction within the VFX or animation industry.
• Expert proficiency in 3D animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Strong programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, MEL) for tool development and pipeline integration.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and biomechanics.
• Experience with rigging systems and a strong understanding of anatomy and physics.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems within an animation pipeline.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with rendering engines and a solid understanding of the VFX pipeline from modeling to final compositing.
• A strong portfolio showcasing high-quality character animation and technical pipeline work.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Employees benefit from a creative and collaborative work culture, access to state-of-the-art technology, and the chance to work on visually stunning and critically acclaimed projects.
• The hybrid work model supports a healthy work-life balance.
• This role is based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .