About the role
Location and Terms
- Location: UK Remote or West Midlands-based
- Employment Type: Full-Time Contractor
- Visa Sponsorship: Not offered for this opportunity
Role Overview
The Senior Animator will play a central role in helping lead the creation of visually stunning and lifelike animations for Flix's own exclusive projects and high-profile co-development partner projects. Responsibilities include utilizing technical abilities and creativity to breathe life into game assets, directing immersion and player experience, and acting as a core component of the animation team.
Responsibilities
- Work with and guide the Animation team to design and create expressive and believable character animations, creature movements, and object interactions, from prototype to final implementation.
- Communicate and collaborate with Art and Design Leads as well as the Animation team to establish and uphold the quality bar of the game’s animation, ensuring a consistent and cohesive visual identity.
- Help manage the day-to-day progress of animation development, supporting the team with project-specific processes and problem-solving.
- Build upon and champion best pipeline practices for animation creation, optimization, and performance, ensuring animation meets visual quality standards and works smoothly across target platforms.
- Work with the Production team to support the planning and delivery of animation content.
- Lead by example, keeping an enthusiastic attitude for the project whilst motivating and supporting a diverse team.
- Participate in staff interviews, onboarding, mentorship programs and performance reviews, fostering skill development and artistic growth.
- Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and animation pipeline to continually push the boundaries of game animation and contribute fresh ideas to the team.
- Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions and feedback on game design and animation requirements.
Essential Qualifications
- Professional experience in a Senior Animator role for games.
- Strong showreel demonstrating exceptional keyframe animation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of game loops and gameplay feel.
- High level of understanding of game animation content creation for Unreal Engine, including full rigging, skinning, animation, and implementation process.
- High proficiency in industry-standard software including Maya, Blender, or equivalent.
- A creative eye and care for animation direction in own work and the work of the team.
- Excellent understanding of animation fundamentals such as weight, timing, and posing.
- Solid understanding of character anatomy, movement, and performance principles.
- Strong support-focused interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate, collaborate, and mentor effectively.
- Ability to manage time effectively, delegating and prioritizing based on project need.
- Passion for gaming and a commitment to delivering visually stunning and captivating gaming experiences.
Desirable Qualifications
- Shipped at least one title in a Senior position within a relevant animation production pipeline.
- Knowledge of Unreal’s Sequencer (or similar) for cinematic animations, with a solid understanding of composition and cinematography.
- Experience animating special effects.
- Experience with motion capture technology and data cleaning/editing processes.
What We Offer
- Join a friendly, nurturing work environment with the opportunity to build games as part of an extremely talented, ambitious studio.
- Work on market-leading AAA titles and IP with globally reputable studio and publisher partners.
- Be part of a sustainably growing game developer studio that expands teams and projects on a case-by-case basis.
- Learn within an independent studio across a wide range of projects and opportunities both internal and external.
Application Requirements
- Please send a portfolio and cover letter.
- If examples are from previous works with another studio, samples must be cleared for release by copyright owners.
- Links to an online portfolio are preferable; showreels via Dropbox or other secure sharing platforms are accepted.
- Applications should be sent to the company email address.
Additional Information
- GDPR Compliance: Application information is stored on a private cloud-based system for recruitment purposes only. Requests to update, delete, or refine application data will be processed within 30 days.
- Equal Opportunities: Flix Interactive Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to inclusion and diversity. Applications are welcome from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership status. Applications from underrepresented groups in the gaming industry are encouraged.