Senior Gameplay Animator

Insomniac Games
United States
Remote

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for experienced animators who create high-quality gameplay animations and work independently with advanced engine tools.

Best fit for

  • Experienced animators with strong engine tool proficiency and independent problem-solving skills
    — “works independently requiring minimal supervision”
  • Candidates with motion capture and hand key animation expertise for character believability
    — “Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters.”
  • Professionals with a deep understanding of state machine logic in game engines
    — “Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine required.”

Things to consider

  • Base pay range may vary based on location and individual qualifications
    — “the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors”
  • Background checks are required as part of the hiring process
    — “Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with proprietary engine tools and Maya in your resume and portfolio
    — “Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred)”
  • Showcase independent troubleshooting and resolution of animation-related issues
    — “Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.”
  • Demonstrate ability to collaborate effectively with multiple disciplines like Designers and Programmers
    — “Communicate effectively with other disciplines, including Designers, Programmers, Writers, Project Managers, Art, Audio, Character and Rigging teams”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • creating high-quality gameplay animations
  • implementing animations in engine
  • troubleshooting and resolving issues
Typical background
animation experience in game development

Skills & requirements

Required

Gameplay AnimationMayaMotion CaptureGame Engine ToolsCollaboration With Other Disciplines

Preferred

Motion BuilderAdobe Premiere

Stack & domain

MayaInsomniac Proprietary ToolsMicrosoft Office SuiteMotionbuilderAdobe PremiereGame Engine Tools

About the role

Original posting from Insomniac Games via Greenhouse

Insomniac Games is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator. In this role the Senior Gameplay Animator is responsible for creating gameplay animation at the highest quality level set by Lead Animators and Animation Directors. They collaborate closely with other disciplines to ensure that animations are integrated into the game, supporting the creative, narrative vision, and technical requirements. The Senior Gameplay Animator works independently requiring minimal supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:  

Develop high-quality animations for gameplay characters, ensuring alignment with artistic direction and technical standards. 

Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement animations in engine using expert skills in Maya and proprietary engine tools.

Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.

Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters.

Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography, mission and open world animations at the highest level using advanced skills in game engine tools.

Work with the Animation team to guarantee cohesive execution of the established animation direction across the game, providing constructive feedback as necessary.

Communicate effectively with other disciplines, including Designers, Programmers, Writers, Project Managers, Art, Audio, Character and Rigging teams, to resolve issues and achieve project goals.

Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred), and a knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plus. Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine required.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location. 

Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.$76.92—$86 USDPlease note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Source: Insomniac Games careers (Greenhouse)

Similar roles