Cinematic Animator

1 Month ago • All levels • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

As a Cinematic Animator at Cloud Imperium Games, you'll be a key part of bringing the performances of top actors to life within the Squadron 42 narrative. Responsibilities include working with the Cinematics team to ensure performance and animations align with performance capture and game needs; creating seamless transitions between motion capture data and in-game assets; developing scenes with branching animation options; and collaborating with multiple teams (Narrative, Level Design, Art, etc.) to achieve project objectives. You'll be working on a high-profile project and need experience with Maya, MotionBuilder, and current/next-gen console animation development.
Must have:
  • Professional game animation experience
  • Proficiency in Maya & MotionBuilder
  • Ability to create realistic animations
  • Collaboration & problem-solving skills
  • Experience with motion capture data

Job Details

We are a crowdfunded company and have a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who are helping us create the “Best Damn Space Sim Ever”. We want to build the best we can deliver and we believe wholeheartedly in the value of exceptional diverse talent.

As a Cinematic Animator, you will be part of a team of Animators and Cinematic Designers dedicated to bringing to life the performances of some of the best actors in the industry and tying them into the Squadron 42 narrative. You’ll be developing scenes with multiple branching options, deep and emotional narrative, and exciting action.

Founded in 2012, Cloud Imperium Games creates cutting-edge videogames that defy expectations. We’re currently developing Star Citizen, a record-breaking multiplayer online space sim, and Squadron 42, a cinematic single-player adventure set in the same universe. Join us as we break boundaries and make videogame history.

What do our Cinematics Animators do?

  • Work with the Cinematics team to ensure that performance and animations and their in-game implementation match the intent of the performance capture and game needs.
  • Work with motion capture data for in-game assets to create seamless transitions to/from performance capture.
  • Creating branching animation in collaboration with the cinematic and level designers.
  • Collaborate closely with other teams including Narrative, Level Design, Art, Facial Animation, Characters, Lighting, VFX, UI, Audio, and Production to achieve project objectives.

What do we expect from our Cinematics Animators?

  • Professional experience in game animation development, ideally on current/next-gen consoles.
  • Ability to be self-reliant and work proactively and can easily adapt to new pipelines and tools. 
  • Ability to breakdown complex scenes and work collaboratively with designers.
  • Experience with Maya, MotionBuilder, and other equivalent software.
  • Ability to create fluid, smooth, realistic animations with specific demonstration of animation fundamentals.
  • Ability to identify technical and developmental risks and obstacles while creating innovative solutions to overcome them.
  • Eager to challenge your own ideas and those of your peers – we thrive to be the best!

At Cloud Imperium Games we are always keen to speak to Cinematics Animators, therefore if you’re passionate about games and believe you can take our animation to the next level, you may just be our newest Star Citizen!

Diversity Statement

CIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. Together, we are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of the importance of diversity is fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring all the things that make them unique to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it’s our differences that make it special.

Fraud Statement

We are aware of people receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from CIG. These types of fraud can be carried out through false websites, fake email addresses claiming to be from our company, or social media. We do not ask for your personal info like bank account numbers, identification numbers, etc through social media or chat-based apps, nor do we request or send money for the purchase of business equipment.

If you suspect fraud, please report it to your local authorities, as well as reaching out to us at info[@]cloudimperiumgames.com with any information you may have.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Similar Jobs

Zoic studios - FX Artist

Zoic studios

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
DNEG - Digital Matte Painter

DNEG

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Kojima - Character Artist

Kojima

Minato City, Tokyo, Japan (On-Site)
1 Month ago
grimlore games - (Senior/Principal) Environment Artist (m/f/d)

grimlore games

Munich, Bavaria, Germany (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Motive Studio - Technical Animator - Battlefield

Motive Studio

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Rockstar Games - Animator: Narrative Gameplay (All Levels)

Rockstar Games

Oakville, Ontario, Canada (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Rockstar Games - Animation R&D Programmer: Retargeting

Rockstar Games

Oakville, Ontario, Canada (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Epic Games - Technical Artist, Developer Relations (Metahuman)

Epic Games

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Technical Cinematic Designer

Ubisoft

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Paper games - 3D Animator - Love and Deep Space (2025 Recruitment)

Paper games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
3 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

supernova games studio - Technical Artist

supernova games studio

(Remote)
3 Weeks ago
Spyke Games - 3D Artist

Spyke Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
9 Months ago
Ubisoft - Senior VFX Artist - Real-Time Cinematics

Ubisoft

Montpellier, Occitanie, France (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Kojima - UI Programmer

Kojima

Minato City, Tokyo, Japan (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Spyke Games - 3D Marketing Animator

Spyke Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
9 Months ago
Riot Games - Principal VFX Artist - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
4 Months ago
nekki game - Technical Art Director

nekki game

United Kingdom (Hybrid)
8 Months ago
Room 8 Studio - Realistic 3D Environment & Props Artist

Room 8 Studio

Bulgaria (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Penrose studios - Effects Animator

Penrose studios

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)
4 Years ago
Room 8 Studio - Unreal Engine Cinematic Artist (Trailer Production)

Room 8 Studio

Portugal (On-Site)
7 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany

Tesla - NPI Technician

Tesla

Baden-Württemberg, Germany (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Haleon - Media Manager for DACH

Haleon

Munich, Bavaria, Germany (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Flowable - Lead Cloud Platform Consultant

Flowable

Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Hybrid)
4 Days ago
Nagarro - Senior SAP Bid Manager

Nagarro

Germany (Remote)
2 Months ago
Tesla - Mechanical Assembly Team Lead

Tesla

Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (On-Site)
3 Months ago
WongDoody - Account Manager - Retail & CPG Vertical

WongDoody

Berlin, Berlin, Germany (Hybrid)
4 Months ago
Mozilla - Senior Application Engineer

Mozilla

Germany (Remote)
1 Week ago
thera bytes - Freelance Game Designer

thera bytes

Munich, Bavaria, Germany (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Unity - Senior Channel Partner Account Manager - EMEA

Unity

Germany (Remote)
2 Weeks ago
Nagarro - Senior SAP Cloud Developer/Architect

Nagarro

Germany (Remote)
3 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

PlaySimple - Motion Graphic Artist

PlaySimple

(On-Site)
2 Months ago
Bitwise Alchemy - Senior 2D Animator

Bitwise Alchemy

Texas, United States (Remote)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Machine Learning Programmer (Character & Animation)

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Ubisoft - Animator

Ubisoft

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Principal Gameplay Animator

PlayStation Global

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Epoch Games - 3D Game Animator

Epoch Games

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (Remote)
1 Year ago
Netflix - Group Product Manager, Computer Graphics Workflows

Netflix

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Skydance - Matte Painting Supervisor

Skydance

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Rigger [Rainbow Six]

Ubisoft

Chengdu, Sichuan, China (On-Site)
6 Months ago
easy brain - 2D Animator

easy brain

Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus (Hybrid)
2 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Cloud Imperium Games is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA experiences outside the established publisher system, founded by Chris Roberts, creator of the best selling Wing Commander and Freelancer series, Cloud Imperium is currently developing Star Citizen, a record-shattering crowd funded title that combines classic space sim gameplay with Hollywood-caliber visuals.


Cloud Imperium aims to pave new ground in game development by sharing the process with the players. Where game development was once hidden, Cloud Imperium has opted to share the process with those backing Star Citizen. Supporters come to know the team and follow them every step of the way as the game created. The community is closely engaged and their feedback Is considered in all aspects of game development, avoiding standard publicity to put Roberts’ epic vision directly in players’ hands.


Cloud Imperium has studios in Los Angeles, California ; Austin, Texas ; Manchester, UK and Frankfurt, Germany.

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Frankfurt Am Main, Hessen, Germany (On-Site)

Frankfurt Am Main, Hessen, Germany (On-Site)

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Cloud Imperium Games

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug