About the role
Job Description
Treyarch is looking for a world-class, industry-leading Senior Animator for our future projects. In this role, you will help inspire the team by creating the highest quality animations while pushing the boundaries of gameplay, storytelling, and technology. The ideal candidate is passionate about animation and has a strong understanding of animation principles, body mechanics, Cinematography, Maya, and motion-capture editing techniques.
A successful Senior Animator will bridge animation, engineering, and design to identify potential issues and deploy correct solutions. You must be highly organized and have outstanding communication skills. While working with a Lead Animator, you will champion the animation vision and become an essential pillar of the animation team. Additionally, a Senior Animator will provide relevant input that will influence animation technology development, resources, and tool development.
This role can be based in either our Playa Vista, CA or our Vancouver, BC office and follows an onsite work schedule of four days per week. Work arrangements may change at the company's discretion to meet business needs.
Responsibilities
- Produce high-quality animations using the tools at your disposal, with a focus on character performances and gameplay.
- Collaborate with animators, designers, artists, and software engineers to identify and address areas of need or concern.
- Contribute to the development of new techniques and processes involved in the implementation and creation of animations.
- Participate in the planning and directing process of motion capture shoots.
- Identify potential areas of risk, create/implement mitigation plans before issues happen, and keep yourself operating at a high level of productivity.
Mandatory Qualifications
- A great understanding of realistic body mechanics as well as animation principles.
- Mentorship skills.
- Facial animation experience.
- Expert knowledge of Maya.
- Expert knowledge of animation implementation and debugging techniques.
- Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Self-starter and problem solver.
- 8+ years of proven experience in the game industry, with experience shipping AAA titles, ideally at least one as a Senior Animator.
Preferred Qualifications
- Creature animation experience.
- Storyboard skills.
- Mentorship skills.
- Strong film language, composition, and camera animation skills.
- Experience working with outsourcing.
Compensation
- Salary Range: $82,240.00 - $152,160.00 Annual.
- Factors: Based on relevant experience, performance, and work location.
- Incentive compensation: Employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation (not guaranteed).
- Negotiation: New hire compensation is negotiable.
Benefits and Perks
- Health and Financial Wellbeing:
- Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account.
- Healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts.
- Life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance.
- 401(k) with Company match.
- Tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching.
- Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs.
- Supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance.
- Time Off:
- 20 vacation days and 16 holidays.
- Paid sick time, floating holidays.
- Compassion and bereavement leaves.
- 10 weeks of parental/family leave.
- Office Perks:
- Free lunches and snacks at the office.
- Free and discounted games.
- Relocation:
- Eligible for relocation assistance if the company requires moving geographic locations.
Company Culture and Values
Treyarch was founded in 1996 with the purpose of creating games for the world to enjoy, including the Call of Duty: Black Ops series and the Zombies mode. The studio empowers the team to be individually driven to innovate on games, processes, and culture. Collaboration and communication are key values, where every voice matters in facing challenges. The studio is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive environment.