Senior Character Animator (Real-time)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Character Animator specializing in real-time animation for our next generation of video games. You will work with the animation director, game designers, and riggers to create animations that convey emotion and fluid motion.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), 6+ years of experience, and proficiency in Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, plus experience with Unreal Engine or Unity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of professional character animation experience for video games.
• Proficiency with Maya, Blender or 3ds Max.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters for real-time game environments with personality and emotion.
• Create locomotion, combat, facial expressions, and cinematics.
• Collaborate with directors, designers, and riggers to maintain quality.
• Optimize animations for performance and memory usage.
• Mentor junior animators and share best practices.
• Stay updated with industry trends and tools.

Skills

Real-time animation

Character animation

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

A cutting-edge game development studio in **Sandton, Gauteng**, is seeking a **Senior Character Animator** specializing in real-time animation. This role is crucial for bringing believable and dynamic characters to life in our next generation of video games. You will work closely with the animation director, game designers, and riggers to create high-quality animations that convey emotion, personality, and fluid motion. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of animation principles, experience with industry-standard software, and a passion for character performance. Join our innovative team in **Sandton** and contribute to unforgettable gaming experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters for real-time game environments, focusing on personality, emotion, and believable movement.
• Create a wide range of animations, including locomotion, combat, facial expressions, and cinematics.
• Collaborate with the animation director and team to establish and maintain animation quality and style.
• Work closely with riggers to ensure animations perform well on character rigs.
• Incorporate feedback from reviews and implement necessary revisions promptly.
• Optimize animations for real-time performance and memory usage within the game engine.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of animation pipelines and tools.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in character animation and game development.
• Mentor junior animators and share knowledge and best practices.
• Ensure all animations meet the technical requirements and artistic vision of the project in **Sandton**.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in character animation for video games, with a strong portfolio showcasing real-time animation work.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, anatomy, weight, balance, and timing.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their animation systems.
• Familiarity with motion capture data cleanup and editing is a plus.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced development environment.
• Keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to animate a variety of character types and performances relevant to the **Gauteng** market.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a retirement savings plan.
• This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility while fostering team collaboration within our **Sandton** studio. You will be part of a passionate and talented team working on exciting, high-profile game titles. Join us and help shape the future of interactive entertainment in **South Africa**.