Senior Software Engineer - Animation

Level
Austin, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior engineers with deep C++ and animation system expertise who thrive in collaborative environments with animators and technical artists.

Best fit for

  • Senior engineers specializing in real-time animation systems with C++ proficiency.
    — “5+ years of real-time animation system development”
  • Candidates experienced in skeletal animation and physics-based systems.
    — “Experience with skeletal animation, inverse kinematics, and blending”
  • Developers who optimize performance in animation-heavy environments.
    — “Performance optimization for animation-heavy scenes”

Things to consider

  • Requires collaboration with animators and technical artists.
    — “Collaboration experience with animators and technical artists”
  • Deep expertise in animation mathematics is expected.
    — “Understanding of animation mathematics and interpolation algorithms”

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific projects involving Godot or motion capture.
    — “Godot animation system expertise”
  • Demonstrate experience with procedural animation techniques.
    — “Procedural animation techniques”
  • Showcase physics simulation integration in past work.
    — “Physics simulation integration (ragdoll, cloth, etc.)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • Developed animation system architecture
  • Optimized animation runtime
Typical background
5+ years of real-time animation system development

Skills & requirements

Required

C++Real-time Animation System DevelopmentSkeletal AnimationInverse KinematicsAnimation MathematicsPerformance OptimizationCollaboration With Animators

Preferred

Godot Animation System ExpertiseMotion Capture IntegrationProcedural Animation TechniquesPhysics Simulation Integration

Stack & domain

Real-time Animation System DevelopmentC++Skeletal AnimationInverse KinematicsAnimation MathematicsInterpolation AlgorithmsPerformance OptimizationGodot Animation SystemMotion Capture IntegrationProcedural Animation TechniquesPhysics Simulation Integration

About the role

Original posting from Level via Ashby

Level is a learning technology company dedicated to helping students build real academic and life skills with confidence and joy. We combine proven curriculum principles with world class interactive design to make meaningful practice something students want to come back to, not something they struggle through.

We support what teachers, schools, and parents are already doing by increasing student engagement with high quality, standards aligned practice that reinforces classroom learning. That’s why we’re building:

For students: Rewarding and motivating learning experiences that meet students where they are to build real academic proficiency.

For educators: Tools that fit naturally into instruction and help students stay engaged while reducing teacher workload.

For parents: Activities that help your kid catch up or get ahead, build confidence, and minimize homework battles, whether learning at school or at home.

We are committed to helping every person maximize their potential and live a life of meaning. It’s a difficult problem that requires brilliant people and tremendous effort over time.

Level is looking for a Senior Software Engineer - Animation. You'll build the systems that make characters move with personality, environments react with believability, and players connect emotionally with our digital worlds.

You'll own:

  • Animation system architecture and runtime optimization
  • Skeletal animation, blending, and state machines
  • Physics-based animation and procedural systems
  • Animation compression and streaming
  • Tool integration for animation workflows

What we're looking for:

  • 5+ years of real-time animation system development
  • Deep C++ experience
  • Experience with skeletal animation, inverse kinematics, and blending
  • Understanding of animation mathematics and interpolation algorithms
  • Performance optimization for animation-heavy scenes
  • Collaboration experience with animators and technical artists

Bonus points:

  • Godot animation system expertise
  • Motion capture integration experience
  • Procedural animation techniques
  • Physics simulation integration (ragdoll, cloth, etc.)

Source: Level careers (Ashby)

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