Senior Gameplay Animator

1 Month ago • 5 Years + • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Rockstar North seeks a Senior Gameplay Animator to contribute to their open-world game development in Edinburgh. Responsibilities involve collaborating with animators and programmers to build and debug animation systems, ensuring quality animation integration through gameplay testing, contributing to cutting-edge animation techniques, and mentoring junior developers. The ideal candidate possesses 5+ years of game animation experience, expertise in major animation packages (Maya, MotionBuilder), and a strong understanding of gameplay mechanics. They'll participate in motion capture, coordinate small teams, provide constructive criticism, and proactively improve the animation pipeline. The position demands strong problem-solving skills, a positive attitude, and exceptional human figure animation skills.
Must have:
  • 5+ years game animation experience
  • Expertise in major animation packages
  • Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics
  • Exceptional human figure animation skills
  • Collaboration and mentorship skills
Good to have:
  • Programming languages (Python, C# / C++)
  • Parametric blend spaces, motion trees
  • Unity or Unreal Engine experience
  • MotionBuilder and motion capture expertise
  • Third-person action game experience

Job Details

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences. 

Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry. 

At Rockstar North we specialize in locomotion for humans and animals, traversal, vehicles, and conversation systems to name a few. If you are passionate about animation and interested in building ground-breaking animation systems within a creative and unconstrained environment, please get in touch. Candidates with technical, problem-solving skills are especially encouraged to apply.

This is a full-time, permanent and in-office position based in Rockstar’s state-of-the-art game development studio in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

WHAT WE DO

  • We create open-world gameplay mechanics that are used to make immersive experiences.
  • We work as a global animation team to collaborate on player experiences.
  • We use our onsite motion capture facilities to prototype new systems, directing talent and fine-tuning the results with code and design.
  • We participate in multi-discipline gameplay reviews, ensuring animation data is responsive and implemented with a strong consideration of technical and gameplay constraints.
  • We encourage ownership and creativity where everyone’s voice is heard.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work closely with animators and programmers to devise, implement, and debug animation systems and gameplay mechanics.
  • Collaborate with the animation, code and design leads, to achieve the perfect balance between animation fidelity and gameplay responsiveness.
  • Verify the quality of the animations integrated into the game by playing regularly.
  • Actively contribute to the development and improvement of cutting edge animation techniques and in game systems alongside other animators and coders.
  • Contribute to the set-up and maintenance of the animation pipeline, and be proactive with its development and improvement.
  • Expected to coordinate efforts of small groups of developers, and provide mentorship, training and guidance under a lead animator.
  • Plan motion capture shoots and direct actors/stunt.
  • Review the work of other developers, providing constructive criticism.
  • Self-motivated and willing to get involved in wider areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Art/Animation or equivalent experience.
  • Outstanding demo reel demonstrating experience working with gameplay systems.
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience animating video games.
  • At least one shipped game.

SKILLS

  • Expert level proficiency in a major animation package (eg Maya, Motionbuilder, etc).
  • Positive, solution-orientated individual, with a deep-rooted interest in video games, and game development.
  • Ability to robustly debug and develop complex animation systems, including blend trees and state machines.
  • Exceptional skill in animating the human figure to create realistic character animations.
  • Strong understanding of development issues in getting animations into a game.
  • Bring innovation and resolution to technical problems and challenges throughout production.
  • Experience with setting up production pipelines while being able to follow guidelines.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work closely with Artists, Designers and Programmers.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

  • Practical knowledge of programming languages (Python, C# / C++, etc.).
  • Practical experience using parametric blend spaces, motion trees or state machines.
  • Knowledge of commercial game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
  • Expertise in MotionBuilder and working with motion capture data.
  • Professional experience developing third-person action games.
  • Willingness to travel to our other global studios.
  • AAA experience a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department. 

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.

#LI-GJ1

Similar Jobs

Room 8 Studio - Unreal Engine Cinematic Artist (Trailer Production)

Room 8 Studio

Poland (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Bondex - 3D Stylized Environment Artist

Bondex

Philippines (Remote)
8 Months ago
Saber Interactive - VFX Artist

Saber Interactive

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
CrazyLabs - Senior Tech Artist

CrazyLabs

Berlin, Berlin, Germany (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Worlds - 3D Generalist

Worlds

(Remote)
1 Month ago
Paper Games - 3D Animator - Love and Deep Space (2025 Recruitment)

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Sony Pictures Animation - FX Artist

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, California, United States (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Escape Velocity Entertainment - Senior Technical Animator (Cosmetics)

Escape Velocity Entertainment

(Remote)
2 Weeks ago
DNEG - Animation TD

DNEG

Karnataka, India (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Magic Media - Motion Capture Cleanup Animator

Magic Media

Vojvodina, Serbia (Remote)
2 Weeks ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Plarium - Animation Artist

Plarium

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Remote)
3 Weeks ago
Lakshya Digital - Head & Hair Artist

Lakshya Digital

Karnataka, India (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Bondex - 3D Stylized Environment Artist

Bondex

Philippines (Remote)
8 Months ago
Peak - 3D Artist, Marketing

Peak

(On-Site)
9 Months ago
Ubisoft - [The Division Resurgence] – Technical Artist (W/M/NB)

Ubisoft

Saint-Mandé, Île-de-France, France (Hybrid)
4 Months ago
Larian Studios - Senior Generalist Technical Animator

Larian Studios

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Amber - 3D Artist - Generalist (Project Based)

Amber

(Remote)
1 Month ago
Epic Games - Senior Animator

Epic Games

(On-Site)
3 Days ago
The Walt Disney Company - Crowds Artist

The Walt Disney Company

Burbank, California, United States (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Sperasoft - Senior Environment Artist (Stylized project)

Sperasoft

Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
4 Days ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Canva - Field Solutions Lead (Flourish)

Canva

London, England, United Kingdom (Remote)
4 Days ago
Tencent - China Market Publishing Expert (Global Games into China Market)

Tencent

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
22 Hours ago
ION - Principal Business Consultant - Endur

ION

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Tesla - Customer Experience Specialist, Sales - London (Part Time)

Tesla

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Playtech - Associate Product Manager

Playtech

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Inspired Entertainment - Field Service Engineer

Inspired Entertainment

Exeter, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Epic Games - Tech Art Lead

Epic Games

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Tesla - Used Car Sales Advisor

Tesla

Dartford, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Two Point Studios - Senior Community Manager

Two Point Studios

Farnham, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
4 Months ago
Tesla - Customer Experience Specialist, Home Delivery

Tesla

Greenhithe, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

Maverick Games - Technical Animator

Maverick Games

Warwick, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
31st Union - Senior Animation Engineer

31st Union

San Mateo, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Principal Gameplay Animator

PlayStation Global

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Paper Games - 3D Animator - Love and Deep Space (2025 Recruitment)

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Ubisoft - Technical Director, Animation

Ubisoft

Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Rockstar Games - Senior Animation R&D Programmer

Rockstar Games

Carlsbad, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Hero Marketing Agency - Animator

Hero Marketing Agency

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)
9 Months ago
Epic Games - Tools Engineer

Epic Games

Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
DNEG - Animator (DNEG Animation)

DNEG

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Playground Games - Senior Cinematic Animator

Playground Games

England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Join a tight-knit team responsible for creating and publishing some of the most popular, innovative and critically acclaimed interactive entertainment in the world including the Grand Theft Auto series, the Red Dead series and many more.


Known for our dedication to quality and authenticity, a career at Rockstar Games is an opportunity to work on some of the most cutting edge, creatively rewarding and challenging projects available in any entertainment medium with some of the most talented people in the industry.


We offer successful candidates highly competitive salary and compensation packages, including a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees. Rockstar Games is an equal opportunity employer.

Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

Leeds, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)

Lincoln, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

Jihomoravský Kraj, Czechia (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Rockstar Games

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

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

Job Common Plug