Senior Animator (3D)

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and dental coverage

Generous paid time off

Career advancement opportunities

Creative work environment

Access to cutting-edge animation tech

Performance-based bonuses

Team-building activities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator to join a leading creative studio in Tembisa, Gauteng. You will produce high-quality character and object animations, mentor junior artists, and help shape animation pipelines.

You will collaborate with art and design teams, stay current with industry tools, and ensure delivery within deadlines while preserving artistic integrity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Animator.
• Strong demo reel showcasing expertise in character animation and performance.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software (Maya/Blender/3ds Max).
• Experience mentoring junior animators and contributing to pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters, creatures, and objects to the highest standard, ensuring believable movement, weight, and performance.
• Collaborate with art and design teams to implement the desired animation style and quality.
• Work with rigging artists to ensure efficient animations on rigged models.
• Mentor junior animators and contribute to pipeline development and best practices.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges to maintain pipeline efficiency and output quality.
• Ensure animations meet deadlines and technical specifications.

Skills

Senior 3D Animator

Character animation

Team collaboration

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 & professional development workshops.