Senior Animator - Character Performance

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous vacation allowance

Professional development opportunities

Vibrant studio environment in Stellenb

Access to cutting-edge animation tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animator in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to bring characters to life for our games. You will craft believable performances, work with the animation director and TDs, and ensure real-time efficiency within the game engine.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years of professional character animation experience, a strong portfolio, and a passion for storytelling through animation. Join a studio that values artistic excellence and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in character animation for games or CG animation, with a proven track record in performance animation.
• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional character animation, including performance-driven examples.
• Excellent artistic eye and attention to detail, with ability to receive and implement feedback.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters with believable movement, weight, and performance across actions and emotions.
• Collaborate with animation director, TDs, and game designers to achieve desired performances.
• Ensure animations are optimized for real-time performance in the game engine.
• Create high-quality facial animations and lip-sync conveying nuanced emotions.
• Rig characters and troubleshoot animation issues as needed.
• Mentor and provide feedback to junior animators to maintain quality.

Skills

Character animation

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Tools

Maya

Blender

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a studio celebrated for its character-driven narratives and lifelike animations, is seeking a Senior Animator to bring characters to life in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**. This role is integral to crafting believable and emotionally resonant character performances that drive the player's connection to our games. You will be responsible for animating characters, ensuring they move and react realistically and compellingly within the game world. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional artistic skill, a deep understanding of anatomy and motion, and a passion for storytelling through animation. Join our team in **Stellenbosch** and contribute your talent to projects that set new standards in character animation, working within a supportive and artistically driven studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters, focusing on believable movement, weight, and performance across a variety of actions and emotions.
• Collaborate closely with the animation director, character technical directors, and game designers to achieve the desired character performances.
• Ensure animations are optimized for real-time performance within the game engine.
• Create high-quality facial animations and lip-sync that convey nuanced emotions.
• Rig characters and troubleshoot animation issues as needed.
• Mentor and provide feedback to junior animators, helping to maintain animation quality and consistency.
• Stay current with advancements in animation techniques, software, and the **Arts & Entertainment** industry.
• Participate in animation reviews and contribute to establishing animation pipelines and best practices.
• Ensure all animations align with the overall art direction and narrative goals of the project.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in character animation for games or CG animation, with a proven track record in performance animation.
• Expert proficiency in animation software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of character rigging, anatomy, weight, timing, and spacing principles.
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Knowledge of game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their animation systems is beneficial.
• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional character animation, including performance-driven examples.
• Excellent artistic eye and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to receive and implement constructive criticism.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, reflecting your experience and artistic talent.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous vacation allowance and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops and advanced training.
• A vibrant and collaborative studio environment in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**.
• Access to cutting-edge animation tools and technology.
• Potential for project-specific bonuses.
• Regular social events and a strong sense of team camaraderie.