Expert Animator (FPS)

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Expert Animator (FPS) based in Canada. As the sole animator at the start of development, you will have the opportunity to shape the first-person animation vision of a new AAA game from the ground up. You will build foundational animation systems, establish production workflows, and define the quality standards that bring weapons, character movement, abilities, and gameplay interactions to life. Working closely with Gameplay Design, Engineering, and Technical Art, you will ensure every animation delivers responsive controls, clear player feedback, and a polished gameplay experience. This role offers significant creative and technical ownership, with the freedom to establish animation pipelines and influence key production decisions. You will also collaborate with external animation partners and help set the standards for future team growth. Join a remote-first, senior-led development environment where your expertise will directly influence the game's identity and player experience. Accountabilities: - Own the vision, quality, and execution of first-person animation systems throughout the game's development. - Create high-quality first-person animations for weapons, hands, character locomotion, abilities, interactions, and other gameplay systems. - Collaborate with Gameplay Design and Engineering to ensure animations enhance responsiveness, readability, and player feedback. - Develop and maintain Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Control Rig solutions, and Sequencer workflows. - Design and refine procedural, layered, and runtime animation solutions that improve gameplay feel and visual fidelity. - Build, maintain, and optimize animation pipelines, production workflows, and implementation processes from scratch.

- Rig and prepare first-person assets for animation and seamless integration into the game engine. - Partner with Technical Art and Engineering to implement, troubleshoot, and optimize animation systems within gameplay. - Review and guide external animation vendors and contract animators, providing clear feedback and maintaining consistent quality standards. - Establish animation guidelines, documentation, and best practices to support efficient collaboration across internal and external teams. - Work with studio leadership to define animation priorities, production schedules, and quality benchmarks. - Contribute to cinematic sequences and scripted gameplay animation requirements when needed. Requirements: - At least 7 years of professional animation experience, including shipped AAA or AA first-person shooter titles in a Senior, Lead, Principal, Expert Animator, or equivalent role. - Expert-level knowledge of first-person animation, including weapons, hands, locomotion, interactions, and player abilities. - A strong understanding of FPS gameplay feel, responsiveness, timing, and player feedback, with the ability to translate these principles into effective in-game animation. - Extensive hands-on experience with Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, Blend Spaces, State Machines, Control Rig, and Sequencer. - Excellent animation fundamentals, including timing, weight, posing, anticipation, movement clarity, and visual readability. - Proven experience rigging and preparing first-person assets for production, along with a solid understanding of animation implementation and integration in game engines. - Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with Design, Engineering, Technical Art, and Production teams. - Experience reviewing, directing, and providing actionable feedback on work delivered by external animation partners.