Lead Technical Animator at Jobgether – United States

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Lead Technical Animator in United States.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead a team of Technical Animators while driving the development of high-fidelity character animation systems for interactive entertainment. You will oversee pipeline improvements, mentor team members, and collaborate closely with design, gameplay, and engineering departments to ensure animation workflows are efficient and polished. This position emphasizes both technical expertise and creative problem-solving, balancing animation fidelity with pipeline optimization. You will contribute to the creation of sophisticated animation features, support integration across departments, and help shape the long-term technical strategy for animation within the studio environment. The role is highly collaborative, requiring strong leadership, communication, and a hands-on approach to solving complex animation challenges.

• Lead and manage a team of Technical Animators, setting goals, providing feedback, and supporting career development
• Collaborate with code and design leads to define technical requirements and ensure high-quality animation production
• Mentor mid-level and junior animators through classes, workshops, and one-on-one guidance
• Create and maintain animation blueprints, state machines, and character data; tune gameplay animation blending
• Break down design features into actionable content and document processes for team use
• Support animation implementation across departments, including Missions, Systems, and Gameplay
• Research, prototype, and implement new animation systems to enhance content creation and workflow efficiency
• Identify pipeline improvement opportunities and drive optimization initiatives

Requirements:

• Previous management experience leading animation or technical teams
• Deep familiarity with animation systems including blending, warping, layering, choreography, and state machines
• Strong understanding of technical logic, animation architecture, and scripting languages
• Knowledge of animation pipelines from mesh creation to final asset implementation
• Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross-disciplinary teams including designers, programmers, and animators
• Experience managing a feature from concept and documentation through prototype and final implementation
• Comfortable working with documentation and production tools such as Jira or Confluence
• 5+ years of experience as a Game Designer, Animator, or Programmer, with at least 3 years focused on character animation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Unreal Engine 5 animation systems
• Programming proficiency in Python, MEL, or C++
• Familiarity with Maya and MotionBuilder, as well as motion capture systems like Vicon Blade
• Strong balance of creative and technical skills, with a passion for high-quality animation and game feel
• Experience with advanced animation systems such as Motion Matching or Distance Matching

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
• Remote-first work environment with flexibility to manage your schedule
• Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans
• Professional development opportunities including learning stipends and workshops
• Supportive team culture emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and career growth
• Access to cutting-edge tools and technology for animation production
• Paid time off and flexible vacation policies