What are you working on?
* The name of the project(s): The Sinking City 2
* Platforms: PC, Console
For which tasks (responsibilities)?
We are looking for a talented Lead Animator to drive the animation team and bring life to our next big project.
As a Lead Animator, you will play a key role in shaping the look and feel of the characters and gameplay animations. You will manage the animation pipeline, lead a team of animators, and collaborate closely with designers, artists, and programmers to ensure smooth, high-quality animations that align with the creative vision of the project.
Responsibilities
* Lead, mentor, and manage a team of animators, providing feedback and ensuring deliverables meet project standards and deadlines;
* Oversee the creation of high-quality keyframe and motion-capture animations for characters, creatures, and environments;
* Collaborate with the Creative Director, Design Leads, and Technical Artists to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and visual style;
* Set up and maintain animation workflows, tools, and pipelines to streamline production processes;
* Produce high-quality keyframe animations and process mocap data for characters, creatures, and various game elements;
* Review animations and identify areas for improvement, troubleshooting issues in collaboration with technical teams;
* Provide hands-on animation work as needed to meet project goals;
* Advocate for the animation team, managing workloads, and contributing to hiring and team growth;
What kind of professional are we looking for?
* 5+ years of professional experience in game animation, with at least 1 shipped AA/AAA title in a Lead or Senior Animator role;
* Strong expertise in creating fluid, dynamic, and realistic animations (keyframe and motion capture);
* Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Maya, Blender, and MotionBuilder with additional experience in Unreal Engine animation tools like animation trees and motion matching system;
* Solid understanding of animation principles, anatomy, and movement;
* Familiarity with animation integration into game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar);
* Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience mentoring or managing other animators;
* Problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot animation issues during development;
* Passion for video games and understanding of how animation supports gameplay;
* Strong English level;
Nice to Have
* Experience working on open-world or narrative-driven games;
* Familiarity with rigging, technical animation, and implementing animations using blueprints;
* Experience with cinematics or cutscene animations;
* Basic understanding of programming or scripting for animation tools.
Why do we enjoy working here?
* Work either in an office near the “Pochaina” metro station, equipped with a power generator, or fully remotely;
* 20 working days of vacation per year;
* 10 paid sick days per year;
* Large, active, and friendly team;
* Opportunities for professional growth and trying new things;
* Work in a well-known Ukrainian game studio.
The selection process
Required Application Materials
* CV
* Portfolio/Reel