Senior Character Animator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Professional development

Creative environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Character Animator to join a fully remote creative team near Paarl, Western Cape. You will craft believable performances, working with directors and a skilled team from your home studio, delivering polished work with strong storytelling through motion.

The role requires 5+ years of professional animation experience, deep knowledge of animation principles, and proficiency in Maya or Blender.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional animation experience in games, film, or TV.
• Strong portfolio showing character performance, timing, and appeal.
• Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or other 3D software; remote collaboration.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Animate high-quality character performances with emotional depth.
• Collaborate with directors and artists to define character movements.
• Create animations using Maya/Blender; interpret feedback effectively.
• Maintain strong knowledge of timing, weight, and spacing principles.

Skills

Character animation

Maya

Blender

Animation principles

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Animation

Tools

Maya

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and imaginative Senior Character Animator to join their fully remote creative team, based in the vicinity of Paarl, Western Cape . This role is central to bringing characters to life through compelling and believable movement across various animated projects. You will have the opportunity to craft nuanced performances, working closely with directors and a talented team of artists from your home studio. We are looking for an individual with a profound understanding of animation principles, exceptional artistic talent, and the ability to deliver polished, high-quality work in a remote setting. This position demands a passion for storytelling through motion and a commitment to artistic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate high-quality character performances for key projects, ensuring emotional depth and believability.
• Collaborate with directors, leads, and other artists to define character personalities and movements.
• Create animation using industry-standard software (e.g., Maya, Blender).
• Interpret and implement feedback from reviews effectively.
• Maintain a strong understanding of animation principles such as timing, weight, and spacing.
• Work efficiently within production pipelines and meet deadlines consistently.
• Mentor and guide junior animators, providing constructive feedback and technical support.
• Contribute to the development of animation styles and techniques.
• Ensure consistency in character performance and style throughout projects.

Requirements

• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation work, demonstrating a keen sense of performance, timing, and appeal.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional animation experience in games, film, or television.
• Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or other industry-standard 3D animation software.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, physics, and character acting principles.
• Experience with rigging and skinning is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage time effectively and meet project deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
• Fully remote working arrangement, offering maximum flexibility.
• Opportunities to contribute to exciting and impactful projects in the arts and entertainment sphere.
• Professional development and continuous learning support.
• A creative and supportive collaborative environment.