Lead Character Animator

Our Animation Team

Guerrilla's Humanoid Gameplay Animation team seeks a Lead Character Animator with extensive expertise in humanoid movement and behavior, focused on crafting stylized, hand-keyed animations. In this pivotal role, you'll become an integral part of a diverse team, engaging in dynamic collaboration with directors, designers, programmers, and production staff. Your role extends beyond the immediate team, involving strategic coordination with leads and directors from other animation departments to drive the aesthetic and animation standards in-game. This position requires a strong spirit of teamwork, aiming to develop animations that enhance the game's features and style, resonate with players, and embody the game's creative vision.

What You Will Do

• Lead the humanoid animation team, setting a high bar for animation quality, particularly focusing on stylized, hand-keyed animation techniques.
• Collaborate closely with the Game Design, Visual Design, and Code teams to create engaging and expressive humanoid characters.
• Mentor, train, and inspire the animation team, fostering their growth and development in stylized animation techniques.
• Work alongside the Gameplay Animation Manager and Gameplay Animation Director, aligning team efforts with the overall project objectives and maintaining consistency in animation style and quality.
• Develop and maintain a clear vision and roadmap for humanoid animation, ensuring alignment with the project's artistic direction, animation style and gameplay mechanics.
• Create dynamic, expressive, and character-driven animations that showcase a strong foundation in traditional animation principles.
• Participate in recruitment and professional development initiatives, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Review, document feedback, and provide clear direction on animations, ensuring they meet the aesthetic and technical requirements of the project.

Who You Are

• You have at least 7+ years of industry experience, with a significant focus on character animation in stylized, hand-keyed projects.
• Demonstrable experience leading animation teams, with a portfolio showcasing expertise in creating expressive, characterful animations.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, with the ability to apply them to enhance character appeal and gameplay experience.
• Excellent organizational skills, clear communication, and strong problem-solving abilities.
• A collaborative mindset, able to work closely with other department leads and contribute constructively to the project's vision.
• Growth-oriented, motivated towards teaching, enabling, and coaching animators in stylized animation techniques.
• Proficient in animation software such as Maya, with a keen interest in staying updated on industry developments and pushing creative boundaries.

Assessment

Candidates will be expected to undergo a practical skills challenge as part of the selection process. The details of this challenge will be communicated to selected applicants.

Interested?

If you're excited to be part of a cutting-edge, creative project, and possess the skills and experience we're looking for, we’d love to hear from you! Please apply with your CV, a cover letter, and a link to your reel showcasing your best and most recent relevant work.

Please note: This position is based in our studio, and we offer relocation and immigration support for the right candidate. Join us in our mission to create an unforgettable gaming experience with groundbreaking humanoid animations!

At Guerrilla, we believe that our team’s varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives help us create games that resonate with a diverse audience.

As an equal opportunities employer, we strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity.

We encourage everyone to respond as we consider all candidates on the basis of their merit, unique strengths, and perspectives they will bring to the role.