Gameplay Animator (Senior+Lead)

At Velan Studios we foster a culture of curiosity. Our games embrace diversity and are fueled by the adventurous spirit of our team. We are the creative minds behind titles like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Knockout City Hot Wheels Rift Rally Midnight Murder Club as well as the VR game Bounce Arcade and our journey continues! Our studios mission is to pioneer groundbreaking gaming experiences and reimagine play in new ways. Were committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming blurring the lines between reality and fantasy and revolutionizing the industry one game at a time.

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with the experience and passion to drive our gameplay mechanics to the next level. Youll play a key role in defining how our characters move respond and feel crafting animation thats both expressive and tightly integrated with gameplay. You should be equally comfortable working in a small fast-paced prototyping team as you are creating polished production-quality animation for larger projects. You will be actively collaborating with artists engineers and designers to develop amazing gameplay feel. And your passion for bringing characters to life should only be matched by your love of diving into engine to bring all your animations together for an unforgettable gameplay experience.

Senior Gameplay Animator Responsibilities

• Help define and drive the games animation style with expressive solid body mechanics that makes gameplay feel amazing.
• Take ownership of the full gameplay animation process from rough prototypes to polished game performances.
• Drive in-engine development with excellent engine competency including animation systems state machines and other procedural animation techniques.
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to explore new ideas solve tricky gameplay challenges and push whats possible through animation.
• Document tools and workflows.
• Mentor other animators offering feedback guidance and support.
• Champion animation across the studio always pushing for clarity responsiveness and that breath of life within every press of a button.
• Project Lead role based on project*

What is expected of an Art Lead at Velan Studios

Lead roles are assignedon a per-project basisand not tied directly to the level of an employees champion best practicesthat relate to theirarea of expertisebutalsorepresentall aspectsof itin interdisciplinary discussionsregardingscope planning toolsfeaturesand team updates.

As the project matures leads may also be part of hiring andmentoring ofanyadditionalartiststhat might be needed within their fieldtoaccomplishproject goalsin a timely mannerand toa high may also be expected to help assess their performance and aid in their career development.

• 7 years of professional experience animating for games with a focus on gameplay.
• A standout demo reel that shows clear body mechanics timing and personality.
• Expert in Maya or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Hands-on experience working in-engine with focus on general state machine structures.
• Proactive and self-directed with a good sense of when to explore and when to get things done.
• Able to effectively communicate technical needs and issues to Engineering/Tech Art/Design.
• Above all deeply curious and passionate about creating responsive character forward animation that makes gameplay feel amazing.

Big Pluses

• Experience leading small animation teams or driving animation direction
• Reel should include game or engine captures of your animations in gameplay context.
• Familiarity with motion matching procedural animation or other modern runtime techniques.
• Generalist skills in modeling rigging or related areas.
• A passion for game design and how animation supports player feedback pacing and readability
• Experience with motion capture.
• Basic scripting or tool-building experience (Python MEL or similar) to streamline workflows or prototype ideas.
  

This is a hybrid or onsite position. Hybrid is 3 days a week in studio. Our studios are located in Troy NY and Toronto ON.

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications skills experience and other relevant addition to your salary our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed) health dental vision life and disability insurance a retirement savings plan paid holidays and flexible time-off benefits.

Canada Salary Ranges
Senior: $85000. - $120000. CAD
Specialist: $110000.-$150000. CAD

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace so if you are excited about arolebut your experiencedoesntalign perfectly we encourage you tosubmita General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion diversity and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Weseekto create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.