We are on the lookout for a Lead Animator! The Lead Animator is responsible for overseeing the animation team and ensuring the creation of high-quality character, environment, and gameplay animations that align with the creative vision of the project. This role combines hands-on animation production with leadership, mentorship, and pipeline supervision.

Responsibilities

• Define, communicate, and uphold the artistic direction for all animation content in the project.
• Ensure that animation style, quality, and consistency meet the creative and technical standards of the production.
• Review and approve animation work, providing clear and constructive feedback to the team.
• Guide the creation of animation systems that support gameplay mechanics and player experience.

• Align animation production with the overall project vision, milestones, and production goals.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage animation tasks and schedules in collaboration with production.
  Ensure the adoption of efficient tools, workflows, and pipelines to optimize animation production.
• Collaborate closely with Technical Animators to ensure smooth implementation and performance optimization.

• Lead animation reviews and provide detailed feedback to maintain a high-quality bar.
• Ensure feedback is clearly communicated and properly implemented by the team.
• Maintain consistency of animation quality across all characters, environments, and gameplay systems.

• Mentor and support animators, fostering growth and continuous improvement within the team.
• Promote best practices in animation techniques, workflows, and problem-solving.
• Encourage a collaborative, creative, and proactive team environment.
• Support onboarding and training of new team members.

• Ensure animations are fully integrated into gameplay systems and meet performance requirements.
• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, and Technical Animation teams to deliver responsive and polished gameplay animation.
• Ensure timely delivery of animation assets to maintain project continuity.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Lead Animator in the game industry or real-time projects.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality character and gameplay animation.
• Expert knowledge of animation principles, body mechanics, and performance acting.
• Proficiency with industry-standard autodesk animation tools (e.g., Maya, MotionBuilder).
• Solid understanding of real-time animation pipelines and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Strong leadership experience managing or mentoring animation teams.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive, and actionable feedback.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience shipping at least one AAA/AA game title.
• Knowledge of motion capture pipelines and performance cleanup.
• Knowledge of animation state machines, blend trees, and gameplay animation systems.
• Experience working closely with Technical Animation on rigging, tools, and pipeline optimization.
• Experience with performance optimization for real-time animation.
• Passion for games and strong understanding of player experience and gameplay feel.

Competencies

• Advanced character and gameplay animation skills.
• Strong understanding of animation systems for real-time applications.
• Ability to define and maintain animation style guides and quality benchmarks.
• Experience managing animation pipelines from concept to final integration.
• Ability to evaluate animation quality and provide precise, production-ready feedback.
• Strong collaboration skills with Design, Engineering, Art, and Technical teams.
• Capability to balance creative goals with technical constraints and performance targets.
• Strong decision-making skills in animation direction and prioritization.

Soft Skills

• Ability to inspire, guide, and grow a high-performing animation team.
• Clear, respectful, and effective communication across all departments.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving production environment.
• Proactive mindset with a solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent organization and prioritization under tight deadlines.
• Strong artistic sensibility and passion for animation.
• Team-oriented attitude with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Motivation to stay updated on animation trends, tools, and techniques.

Submit your resume and a short cover letter in English to join Stormind Games.

About the company

We are the Italian fully independent studio focused on PC/console original IPs and helping AAA IP holders develop their own games. All our titles feature intense stories, profound gameplay and lore-rich universes to develop transmedia franchises, with distinctive visual style for instant recognition. We are the developer of the survival horror saga Remothered, the story-driven action RPG Batora: Lost Haven, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, 1st-person horror adventure based on the Paramount Pictures franchise, and contributed to Mafia: The Old Country alongside Hangar 13.