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Principal Animator, Cinematics – Unannounced Game
Blizzard Entertainment
Job Summary
Blizzard Entertainment is seeking a Principal Animator for Cinematics to join our team working on an unannounced game. This role will be based in either Irvine, CA or Albany, NY. The Principal Animator will lead the animation efforts to bring cinematic sequences to life, collaborating closely with the cinematic director, art team, and other disciplines to deliver high-quality, emotionally engaging animations that support the game’s narrative and artistic vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of animators to create compelling cinematic animations.
- Collaborate with cinematic directors and other departments to ensure animation quality and consistency.
- Develop and maintain animation pipelines and workflows to optimize production efficiency.
- Create high-quality character animations that convey emotion, personality, and story.
- Review and provide feedback on animation work to maintain Blizzard’s high standards.
- Work closely with rigging and technical teams to solve animation challenges.
- Stay current with industry trends and techniques to continually improve cinematic animation quality.
Required Qualifications
- Extensive experience in character animation for cinematic sequences.
- Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring and guiding animation teams.
- Proficiency with industry-standard animation software such as Maya.
- Deep understanding of animation principles, storytelling, and character performance.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- Portfolio demonstrating high-quality cinematic animation work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working on AAA cinematic productions or high-profile game titles.
- Knowledge of scripting or technical animation tools.
- Experience with motion capture data and cleanup.
- Familiarity with Blizzard’s game franchises and cinematic style.
Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Animation, Fine Arts, or related field preferred.
Experience Requirements
Minimum 8+ years of professional animation experience, with significant experience in cinematic animation.
Benefits & Compensation
Blizzard offers competitive compensation packages and a comprehensive benefits program including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and various employee perks designed to support your well-being and work-life balance.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply online through Blizzard’s careers website. Please submit a resume and a portfolio or demo reel showcasing your cinematic animation work.
