Senior Cinematic Animator

Join Romero Games as we develop John Romero’s next First Person Shooter in partnership with a major publisher! This is an unprecedented opportunity to join a thriving independent development studio and work on a high-profile title that will be played by millions of gamers worldwide.

Romero Games Ltd is looking for an inspiring and creative Senior Cinematic Animator to join our growing team. As our Senior Cinematic Animator you will work closely with our Art Director, as well as the art, narrative and animation teams to set up and create epic cinematic masterpieces to help create compelling, original storytelling sequences. As part of an independent development studio, you will have a significant impact and contribute on multiple levels to the games we make.

Ideally, you can relocate to join us in Galway, Ireland, but a remote role is also possible for the right candidate in a European timezone. In your cover letter or email, please note your preference (remote/hybrid/onsite in Galway).

What you will do:

• Work closely with our narrative, design and art teams to turn scripts into cinematic scenes, from initial pre-viz to final AAA quality

• Own the cinematography of our cutscenes - previs/storyboarding, composition, camera angles & movement, lighting direction, etc.

• Take a hands-on approach, getting involved in the implementation of animations for humans, creatures, cameras, and other cinematic elements

• Understand technical restraints while seeking out innovative solutions

• Work with leads to improve quality of our pipelines and tools

 What you need to have:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in the games industry producing AAA-level game cinematics

• Experience with all stages of cinematic development and iteration

• A strong understanding of cinematic techniques, camerawork, cinematography, lighting, colour grading, editing, and visual storytelling

• Experienced with Unreal Engine, and Sequencer in particular 

• Experienced with Maya and MotionBuilder

• Proven ability to create compelling storyboards and animatics

• Strong keyframing skills (non-rotoscoped)

• Expert knowledge of body mechanics and strong creature animation skills

• Ability to work with mocap data

• A good eye for character posing

• A portfolio reflecting high-quality game art and cinematics - Important: please include shot breakdowns detailing what you were responsible for on each shot

• Full understanding of contemporary game development workflows and pipelines

• Excellent communication and organisational skills

• A desire to learn new techniques and technologies

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment

What is nice to have:

• Experience creating and working with Unreal Blueprints 

• Experience of directing motion capture shoots and working with actors

• A background in photography or cinematography

Candidates will be required to provide a portfolio and explanation of what work was done on the portfolio projects.

Benefits

• Ownership. Everyone in the company benefits from ownership in the company. Every full-time Romero Games employee is given a stake. (This benefit is not open to contractors.)

• Vacation: Time off for vacation. Five weeks vacation per year + 10 national holidays. Extra vacation days after 5 and 10 years of service.

• Hybrid Working. Flexible working hours, including work-from-home and remote work.

• Sabbaticals: At 5+ years, should you choose to take unpaid time for a personal project, we will cover 20% of your pay provided that it is in your area of interest.

• Premium Health. Premium health benefits, plus extended healthcare coverage.

• Fertility Leave: For employees undergoing IVF treatment, surrogacy or other forms of fertility treatment, two days per cycle for recovery or travel.

• Relocation assistance. Flexible start dates, relocation reimbursement and assistance in finding housing. 

• Life-Friendly Policies: We understand that work is one of the things that you do and that life happens. We have a long and consistent pattern of life-friendly management, whether taking your kids to creche, assisting your parents with an appointment, or taking your pet to the vet.

• Menopause: Up to five days off per year for appointments or recovery days.

• Compassionate Leave / Bereavement. We support employees by offering paid time off during bereavement for immediate family. This includes loss of pregnancy, including the loss of surrogate pregnancy.

• Parental Leave and Support. Family-focused benefits include fully paid maternity and paternity leave and flexible work hours. Most people here are parents. We get it.

• Professional Development: World-class workshops on accessibility, diversity, design and more, from internationally recognized experts.

• Social Events. Regular social events such as pub nights (including online pub nights), holiday parties, barbecues and conferences, with accommodation and travel covered by us. 

• Expert Speakers. Monthly insider expert seminars with renowned creators such as John Carmack, Rhianna Pratchett (Tomb Raider), Warren Spector (Deus Ex), David Brevik (Diablo), Harvey Smith (Dishonored), Josh Sawyer (Pillars of Eternity), and more.

• Bike to Work Programme: Within Ireland, using the Bike-to-Work government initiative, employees obtain a brand new bike and safety equipment worth up to €1,250 for a regular bike, and up to €1,500 for an electric bike. The scheme covers your new bike and gear, saving 52% of the retail price of bike and equipment.