Lead Technical Animator

We’re looking for a Lead Technical Animator to oversee the integration of character animations into gameplay systems, ensuring animations are responsive, high-quality, and aligned with the project’s creative and technical goals. Acting as a bridge between animation, design, and engineering, this role ensures animation systems enhance gameplay feel and performance across the entire player experience. As a hands-on leader, the Lead Technical Animator guides a team of technical animators, develops efficient animation workflows, and tackles complex runtime challenges in Unreal Engine. In addition to leading internal team members, you will also oversee and collaborate with external co-development partners, ensuring their work aligns with our creative vision, technical standards, and production goals.

Must Have

• Extensive experience integrating character animation into gameplay within Unreal Engine
• Expert knowledge of Unreal Animation systems including Blueprints, State Machines, Control Rig, and Sequencer
• Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, character movement, and player responsiveness
• Proven ability to collaborate with design to enhance gameplay feel and support feature development
• Experience in gameplay prototyping, iteration, and system design
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving runtime animation issues
• Excellent communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills

Good to Have

• Familiarity with C++ and Python for animation workflow tools or automation
• Ability to animate using motion capture (MotionBuilder) or keyframe animation in Maya
• Experience leading technical animation efforts on a large-scale or open-world project
• Understanding of performance optimisation for complex animation systems in Unreal Engine
• Interest in emerging animation technologies, workflows, and procedural systems

Who We Are

Hangar 13 is an internal 2K development studio that crafts unforgettable AAA gaming experiences across all major platforms . With studios in Brighton (UK), Brno, and Prague (CZ), we work as one team to bring to life narrative-rich games that keep players immersed. Each of our locations provides the opportunity to work with some of the most talented developers in the industry, on creatively challenging and exciting projects, in a diverse and welcoming environment.

Job Summary

We’re looking for a Lead Technical Animator to oversee the integration of character animations into gameplay systems, ensuring animations are responsive, high-quality, and aligned with the project’s creative and technical goals. Acting as a bridge between animation, design, and engineering, this role ensures animation systems enhance gameplay feel and performance across the entire player experience. As a hands-on leader, the Lead Technical Animator guides a team of technical animators, develops efficient animation workflows, and tackles complex runtime challenges in Unreal Engine. In addition to leading internal team members, you will also oversee and collaborate with external co-development partners, ensuring their work aligns with our creative vision, technical standards, and production goals

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of technical animators, fostering both individual development and strong project delivery.
• Design, implement, and optimize gameplay animation systems using Unreal Engine tools such as Animation Blueprints, Motion Matching, State Machines, and Control Rig.
• Integrate and refine character animations to ensure responsiveness, fluid transitions, and strong gameplay feel in real-time environments.
• Collaborate closely with designers, animators, and engineers to align animation systems with gameplay mechanics and design intent.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex animation-related issues to maintain performance, stability, and visual quality.
• Translate creative and technical goals into clear, achievable animation system designs and scoped deliverables.
• Champion best practices across departments, ensuring alignment and knowledge sharing on technical animation standards.
• Collaborate with and provide feedback to animation co-dev/outsourcing partners.

Essential Skills, Attributes and Experience

• Extensive experience integrating character animation into gameplay within Unreal Engine.
• Expert knowledge of Unreal Animation systems including Blueprints, State Machines, Control Rig, and Sequencer.
• Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, character movement, and player responsiveness.
• Proven ability to collaborate with design to enhance gameplay feel and support feature development.
• Experience in gameplay prototyping, iteration, and system design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving runtime animation issues.
• Excellent communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

Highly Desirable

• Familiarity with C++ and Python for animation workflow tools or automation.
• Ability to animate using motion capture (MotionBuilder) or keyframe animation in Maya.
• Experience leading technical animation efforts on a large-scale or open-world project.
• Understanding of performance optimisation for complex animation systems in Unreal Engine.
• Interest in emerging animation technologies, workflows, and procedural systems.