Senior Gameplay 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.

We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator to join our growing team on a full-time basis. Your job will be to bridge the gap between the art, design and animation teams, and ensure the highest possible technical and visual quality of our assets. You must understand the fundamentals of gameplay animation systems, real-time animation, and Unreal animation integration, and be able to assist with the production and integration of art assets with the best performance and at the highest quality.

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:

• Prototype, key frame or block an animation for in-game and cinematics in UE5

• Create and maintain high quality human and creature animations from scratch or from mo-cap

• Assisting in optimization and validation such as testing animation

• Problem-solve animation together with rigging and code department

• Be involved in the character and creature creation process to final animation

• Collaborate with Tech Art and Code teams to ensure pipelines and tools are effective

• Create and maintaining animation documentation

What you will have:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in an animator role within the games industry as well as Unreal experience is a must

• Proven ability to deliver outstanding animation in a game development environment

• Proficient keyframe animation skills

• Experience using Maya animation tools - Maya is our main toolset

• Exhibit a strong understanding of the fundamental principles of animation

• Take ownership of animation responsibilities and oversee tasks

• Good understanding of game animation processes from source to engine - ideally within Unreal 4 or 5

• Excellent communication skill with a positive and proactive viewpoint

• Able to take critique and give feedback in a professional manner

• Self motivated and strong organizational skills with adherence to project specifications, technology requirements and budget

What is nice to have:

• Experience with fighting/combat system development

• Knowledge of Python scripting

• Creation of documentation - writing briefs, processes, tools within Confluence or equivalent software 

• Experience working on a First Person Shooter

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

Romero Games 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.

• Clothing Assistance Program: A financial support for people going through a major life event such a pregnancy or gender affirming care.

• 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 Program: 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.