Senior Gameplay Animator

PLAY, GROW and WINTo be a part of Virtuos means to be a creator. At Virtuos, we harness the latest technologies to make games better and more immersive than ever before. That is why we pride ourselves in constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility since our founding in 2004. Virtuosi is a team of experts – people who have come together to share their mutual passion for making and playing games. People with the same enthusiasm for exploring new ideas and the constant drive to excel in their field. People who believe in earning success through dedication.At Virtuos, we are at the forefront of gaming, creating exciting new experiences daily. Join us to Play, Grow and Win – together.ResponsibilitiesABOUT THE POSITIONWe are on the lookout for an accomplished Lead or Senior Gameplay Animator to join a collaborative team dedicated to crafting engaging and innovative gaming experiences. This role demands a combination of artistic talent and technical acumen to produce compelling animations that effectively support gameplay and storytelling across diverse projects. The successful candidate will work closely with multiple departments including engineering, design, and art to elevate animation quality and pipeline efficiency.Core ResponsibilitiesDesign and produce rough and polished animations utilizing leading software tools and integrate these seamlessly into game engines.Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to enhance animation workflows, develop tools, and support complex animation systems.Take charge in motion capture sessions, including directing, troubleshooting, and refining captured data.Providing creative solutions to project challenges and requirements.Uphold high standards for animation aesthetics and technical quality consistent with project requirements.Use advanced knowledge of animation frameworks such as combat animation, creature animation, and body mechanics.Communicate proactively and constructively with stakeholders across departments to ensure clarity on objectives, schedules, and deliverables.Adapt communication approaches to engage effectively with both creative and technical teams.Integrate smoothly into client-established workflows and tools while showing flexibility to adjust to various client organizational cultures.Apply expertise in previsualization to aid in planning sequences that enhance gameplay narrative and flow.Utilize knowledge of camera work to support animation presentation and scene composition (preferred). Continuously adapt to evolving project demands, software updates, and technical constraints to maintain productivity and innovation.Location: Must be based in Los Angeles or willing to relocate to Los Angeles. Availability to work onsite 3-5 days per week is required.QualificationsRequired Experience & Skills:At least ten years of experience in game development, including participation in shipping AAA titles.Proficient in both keyframe and motion capture animation techniques.Skilled in industry-standard animation packages such as Maya and MotionBuilder or equivalents.Demonstrated experience successfully integrating animations into game engines (proprietary or Unreal Engine).Strong familiarity with previsualization processes and methodologies.Excellent problem-solving and prioritization capabilities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.Effective team collaborator with strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of conveying complex ideas with clarity.Proven ability to adapt to different client workflows and company cultures readily.A genuine enthusiasm for gaming and a deep understanding of how gameplay mechanics relate to animation design.Preferred QualificationsExperience animating a wide range of characters, including humans, creatures, and fantastical entities.Working knowledge of multiple game engines or proprietary platforms.Experience with blend trees, motion matching, and state machines.Programming or scripting abilities beneficial for creating or improving animation tools (e.g., Python, C#, C++).Prior exposure to camera operations or cinematography in an animation context is a valuable plus.What We ProvideA supportive atmosphere encouraging creativity, inclusion, and innovation.Exciting projects featuring pioneering animation techniques.Expert team of enthusiastic artists to collaborate with!The base salary range for this role is between $120,000-$140,000 per yearKindly note the compensation range is provided in pursuant to California Salary Transparency in Job Advertisement Law.Virtuos takes into consideration candidate's education, experience, training, and seniority levels along with external market condition. The range posted is only one component of Virtuos compensation, we also include annual bonus, medical, dental, and vision plan, parental leave, research & development opportunities, 401k matching and paid time off.