Senior Animator

Posted 21 March 2023
- Salary Negotiable
- LocationBarcelona
- Job type Permanent
- DisciplineAnimation
- Reference18841
- Contact NameJordan Langley

**Job description**:
Smilegate are looking for a Senior Animator to welcome the challenge of building new IPs and career-defining games.

As a Senior Animator, you will develop complex animation assets for gameplay and cinematics, using keyframe and motion capture techniques. You’ll also collaborate closely with tech animation to develop tools and pipelines and gameplay teams to execute the production's creative vision into Unreal Engine.

You will be involved in generating ideas and developing plans to implement them. You should also be able to coach less experienced team members and be proficient at communication and collaboration to align stakeholders with your ideas and plans.

**Your responsibilities**
- Produce in-game body and facial animations using keyframe or mocap data techniques to the highest standards of fidelity and style as demanded by the project
- Work with design teams and provide initial ideas rapidly to create elegant, approachable, and compelling animation that is contextual to the creative goal of a project
- Take ownership of a section of animation production from early pre-visualisation to final polish
- Work with the production team to assist in planning and scheduling animation production, demonstrating strong time management skills to ensure tasks are completed on schedule to required standard
- Implement animations into Unreal 5 and liaise where necessary with the technical animator, designer, and programmer to facilitate this
- Comprehend and execute direction from lead animator or animation director
- Supervise the work of entry, mid, and mid-high level animators at the discretion of the Animation Director, where necessary
- Research and share knowledge of existing animation techniques and game development working practices

**The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role**
- 6+ years’ experience in AAA video games and at one or more AAA shipped titles
- High-level of expertise animating in Maya
- Equal level of expertise using keyframe or mocap techniques
- Experience animating facial animation, either keyframe or facial captures
- Good level of English verbal and written communication skills
- Solid eye for anatomy and animation
- Highly self-motivated, collaborative, and positive attitude
- Passion for games
- Experience implementing animations in Unreal engine is a plus
- Experience animating cinematics is a bonus

**Perks and benefits including**
- Relocation package with VISA support
- Monthly restaurant tickets approximating to 2,160€/year
- Studio refreshments
- 16 weeks Maternity and Paternity leave
- Private health insurance, including dental coverage
- Team building events