Senior Animator (3D)

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical & dental

Generous PTO

Career growth

Creative environment

Cutting-edge tech

Bonuses & incentives

Team building

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animator (3D) to join our acclaimed studio in Tembisa, Gauteng. Lead with cinematic character and object animation, shaping performance, timing, and appeal while mentoring junior animators and helping define pipelines and best practices.

You will collaborate with art and design teams, work closely with rigging, meet project deadlines, stay current with industry tools, and contribute to flagship projects with cutting-edge technology and compelling storytelling.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional 3D animation experience.
• Strong reel demonstrating character animation and performance.
• Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max.
• Experience with rigging and how rigs impact animation.
• Ability to mentor junior animators and collaborate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters, creatures, and objects to high standards.
• Collaborate with art and design teams to implement style and quality.
• Work with rigging artists to animate efficiently on rigs.
• Provide feedback to junior animators.
• Contribute to animation tools, workflows, best practices.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges and maintain pipeline efficiency.
• Meet project deadlines and technical specs.
• Participate in animation reviews and critiques.
• Stay updated with latest animation techniques and software.
• Create compelling sequences to enhance storytelling.

Skills

Mentoring

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and passionate Senior Animator (3D) to join their acclaimed creative studio located in Tembisa, Gauteng. This role is crucial for bringing characters and environments to life with breathtaking animation. You will be responsible for producing high-quality character and object animations for our client's flagship projects, ensuring fluid motion, believable performance, and adherence to the artistic vision. As a senior member of the team, you will also play a key role in mentoring junior animators and contributing to the development of animation pipelines and best practices. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on visually stunning projects and contribute significantly to the artistic output of a leading entertainment company in Tembisa.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters, creatures, and objects to the highest standard, ensuring believable movement, weight, and performance.
• Collaborate with the art and design teams to understand and implement the desired animation style and quality.
• Work closely with rigging artists to ensure animations are performed efficiently and effectively on the rigged models.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to junior animators, fostering their growth and skill development.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of animation tools, workflows, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and solve complex animation challenges, maintaining pipeline efficiency and output quality.
• Ensure all animations meet project deadlines and technical specifications.
• Participate in animation reviews and critiques, offering and receiving feedback in a professional manner.
• Stay current with the latest animation techniques, software, and industry trends.
• Create compelling animation sequences that enhance storytelling and player engagement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Animator, with a significant portion in a senior role.
• A strong demo reel showcasing expertise in character animation, performance, and technical skills across multiple projects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Solid understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight, and appeal.
• Experience with rigging systems and an understanding of how rigs impact animation.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment, communicating clearly and collaborating on shared assets.
• Strong attention to detail and a keen eye for realism and performance.
• Experience mentoring junior team members and providing artistic direction.
• Ability to adapt to different animation styles and project requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to challenges.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing company.
• A creative and inspiring work environment in Tembisa, Gauteng.
• Access to cutting-edge animation technology and resources.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and project completion incentives.
• Regular team-building activities and professional development workshops.