Senior Gameplay Animation Programmer

2 Months ago • 1-2 Years • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

The Senior Gameplay Animation Programmer at Cloud Imperium Games plays a crucial role in developing high-fidelity animated characters, vehicles, and environments for their large-scale space simulations, Star Citizen and Squadron 42. Responsibilities include designing and implementing robust and scalable code, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams (including mentoring), working closely with animators on asset pipelines and procedural solutions, and driving engineering best practices. The ideal candidate will have a passion for game development, expertise in C++, 3D math and animation, and a collaborative spirit. The work involves custom runtime rigged faces, motion matching, physicalized reactions, and ragdolls, always aiming for ambitious, high-fidelity results.
Must have:
  • Passion for game development and animation
  • C++ proficiency in large codebases
  • 3D math & animation expertise (procedural solutions, rigging)
  • Collaboration & technical communication skills

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.

In our bespoke, ground-breaking, multi-threaded engine the Senior Gameplay Animation Programmer is instrumental in driving the team to deliver high fidelity animated characters, vehicles, and environments in a large-scale interactive universe. 

Whether it is working on customisable run-time rigged faces using our DNA system, researching seamless transitions via motion matching of large amounts of motion captured data or leveraging physicalized reactions together with animation driven ragdolls; the goal is always to be as ambitious as possible with focus on up-to-date technology, scalability for our massive scope and attention to every detail. 

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. 

For more information about life at Cloud Imperium Games, check this out - https://youtu.be/cXjp7SRBpIA 

What do our Senior Gameplay Animation Programmers do? 

Although the Senior Gameplay Animation Programmer role is quite varied, the responsibilities boil down to five main areas: 

  • Designing and implementing well-engineered, reliable, scalable and robust code. 

  • Document and peer review technical designs across several multi-disciplinary teams. 

  • Collaborating with team members, including mentoring, and other cross-functional disciplines to develop various animation systems.

  • Working closely with animators to assist with asset pipeline, provide access to procedural solutions, handle complex transition flows and ensure end result achieves expected fidelity. Driving engineering principles and practices for your team, pushing boundaries and promoting new innovative ways of working. 

What do we look for? 

A true passion for making games is a must with a keen interest in animation, and we would also like it if you: 

  • Comfort working with C++ in a large, shared codebase, including testing, code-reviews and source-control. 

  • Proficiency in 3D math and 3D animation, including procedural solutions, run-time rigging, layer blending and optimization. 

  • Work well in a co-located yet collaborative team environment. 

  • Be friendly and approachable for all team members, all roles and levels. 

  • Can explain and present technical solutions to all disciplines. 

At Cloud Imperium Games we are looking for several Animation Programmers with various levels of experience – from junior all the way to senior, and beyond! Therefore, if our Animation team sounds like your perfect fit, please apply immediately!

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

Activision - Senior Expert Engine Programmer

Activision

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Google - Software Engineering Manager II, Google Cloud

Google

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Omnissa - Member of Technical staff - Android

Omnissa

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
ByteDance - Software Development Engineer Graduate (Distributed NoSQL Database Systems)

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Day ago
Crytek - Senior Animation Programmer

Crytek

(Remote)
2 Months ago
DNEG - Senior Character TD (DNEG Animation)

DNEG

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Netflix - Manager, Innovation & Technology

Netflix

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Limit Break - 3D Modeler  (Japan)

Limit Break

Tokyo, Japan (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Senior/Lead 3D Animator

Ubisoft

Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine (On-Site)
8 Months ago
DNEG - Creature TD - CFX

DNEG

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (On-Site)
6 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Larian Studios - Engine Programmer Internship

Larian Studios

Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Microsoft - Principal Software Engineering Manager

Microsoft

(On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Epic Games - Senior QA Programmer

Epic Games

(On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
ByteDance - Senior Software Engineer, Bot UI

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Glera Games - C++ developer

Glera Games

Vilnius, Vilnius County, Lithuania (Hybrid)
5 Months ago
ION - Senior Technical Consultant - Endur

ION

Dallas, Texas, United States (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Asobo Studio - Mobile/AR Development Intern

Asobo Studio

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Luxoft - Scala Tooling Visualization Developer

Luxoft

(Remote)
2 Months ago
Ubisoft - Rigger - Projet non annoncé (F/H/NB)

Ubisoft

Paris, Île-de-France, France (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Nintendo - Software Engineer I, Graphics (NST)

Nintendo

Redmond, Washington, United States (Hybrid)
4 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Assystems - Senior Waste Engineer

Assystems

Blackburn, England, United Kingdom (Remote)
3 Months ago
Lockwood - Cloud Engineer

Lockwood

United Kingdom (Remote)
6 Days ago
Blue Zoo Animation Studio - Digital Producer

Blue Zoo Animation Studio

London, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Assystems - Lead Civil Engineer

Assystems

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
Alpha Sense - Account Executive, Financial Services

Alpha Sense

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Rockstar Games - Lead Software Engineer (C++)

Rockstar Games

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Jagex - Senior Engine Engineer

Jagex

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Assystems - WIC (Wrapping, Insulation, and Caulking) Project Engineer (Passive Fire Protection)

Assystems

Bridgwater, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Rockstar Games - Senior Network Engineer

Rockstar Games

Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Jagex - Technical Designer - Project Zanaris

Jagex

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (Remote)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

Crytek - Senior Animation Programmer

Crytek

Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany (Remote)
8 Months ago
Ninja Theory - Principal Gameplay Animator

Ninja Theory

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Week ago
Epic Games - Lead Gameplay Animator

Epic Games

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)
4 Weeks ago
Rockstar Games - Animation R&D Programmer

Rockstar Games

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Turn Me Up Games,  Inc  - Gameplay Animator / Cinematics Artist

Turn Me Up Games, Inc

Burbank, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Tencent - 3D Animator for 2D Open-World Game

Tencent

Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago
DNEG - Character TD (DNEG ANIMATION)

DNEG

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Ubisoft - Senior Technical Animator (Assassin's Creed)

Ubisoft

Chengdu, Sichuan, China (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Vigaet - Rigging artist

Vigaet

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
6 Months ago
DNEG - FX Lead (DNEG Animation)

DNEG

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
3 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)

Austin, Texas, United States (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)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (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