Lead Animator

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and creative Lead Animator to drive the animation vision, quality, and execution across our game projects. You will lead and mentor a team of animators, collaborate closely with other Art Leads, Riggers, Game Designers, Developers and Clients to ensure that all animations meet world-class gameplay and cinematic standards.

Key Responsibilities

Creative & Technical Leadership

• Create high quality animations to set the style and quality standards for 3D Animation and 2D Spine projects.
• Translate game design requirements into strong, readable, and engaging gameplay animations.
• Drive Visual style, combat, locomotion, facial, and cinematic animation quality.
• Ensure animation deliverables are suitable for real-time game engines (Unity/Unreal).

Team & Production Management

• Lead, mentor and conduct regular reviews for a team of animators.
• Estimate project requirements with detailed breakdowns. Plan and assign tasks to ensure on-time delivery.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback and maintain high team morale and productivity.
• Identify skill gaps and conduct training or upskilling initiatives.
• Oversee and provide key inputs on the tasks of Rigging and FX artists in certain projects to ensure they are aligned with the overall art direction.

Pipeline & Collaboration

• Work closely with Developers and Designers to ensure smooth pipeline integration.
• Maintain and improve animation workflows, tools, rigs, and export pipelines.
• Troubleshoot animation, rigging, and implementation issues in engine.
• Establish best practices for custom 3D keyframe animation, 2D spine animation, motion-capture/mixamo animations and animation blending.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in animation. With at least 2-3 years of those in game studios as a senior or lead animator.
• Experience working on a AAA quality commercial game and multiple shipped titles.
• Expert knowledge of Maya, 2D Spine animations, and technical integration of animations in game engines.
• Experience with multiple styles of animations like Realistic, Stylized, Cartoonish and Anime.
• Strong understanding of:
• All Animation principles
• Human & Creature anatomy
• Gameplay animation systems (locomotion, combat, state machines, control rigs, Animation Blueprints)
• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine or Unity animation pipelines.
• Strong team leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Experience working on combat-heavy, third-person, or cinematic-driven games.
• Background in Technical Animation is a big plus.

What success looks like in this role:

• Animations feel responsive, impactful, and polished in-game.
• The animation team consistently meets quality and delivery expectations.
• Strong collaboration between animation, design, and engineering.
• A motivated, well-mentored animation team with growing skill levels.

Portfolio Requirement:

Applicants must provide their Animation Demo reel showcasing:

• High quality Cinematic or Dialogue shots
• Gameplay animations or locomotion systems
• Complex Combat or creature animation