Come be a part of the future of Perfect Dark as a Lead Gameplay Animator!

The Lead Gameplay Animator is a Managerial role with plenty of hands-on contribution to gameplay. The Lead Gameplay Animator will fill a major role in building our next AAA experiences by ensuring that our gameplay animations are both realistic and seamless in their execution. In this position you will oversee a team of talented animators, work collaboratively with our Animation Director and other members of the animation team, all while demonstrating a thorough understanding of our animation systems and ensuring a character\'s suite of animations works together. Crystal Dynamics seeks team players who are passionate about playing and creating World Class games.  

You will be expected to... 

• Lead a team of highly skilled animators in the development of high-fidelity game animations and systems
• Deliver responsive combat and traversal animations working closely with combat designers and engineers 
• Plan, commit to deliverables and manage team’s goals within regular milestones and deadlines; accurately quantify volumes of work  
• Play to your team’s strengths in order to naturally guide the creation of high-quality animations 
• Contribute to team growth and development through weekly 1:1’s and annual reviews, as well as individual and group trainings
• Maintain a positive and cohesive team culture and play to your team’s strengths in order to naturally guide the creation of high-quality animations 
• Ensure open communication and provide constructive feedback for team members and across disciplines  
• Continually refine processes for animation throughout production to increase productivity for the animation team  
• Partner with Department Leads, Animators, and Designers to identify and execute on the animation needs of the game  
• Work with Animation Director and Art Director to maintain the games\' visual identity  
• Document animation process and track tasks throughout game development cycle  
• Provide guidance and leadership to animators working in a range of styles and ensure appropriate style is consistent over the course of a project  

In order to be considered for this role, you must have...  

• Experience as a Senior, Lead, or Principal Animator working on gameplay systems for animation, having contributed to 1+ high-fidelity title 
• Proven experience as a highly effective leader (ideally managing 4+ animators) who is able to grow and develop animation talent of all skill levels
• Deep knowledge about gameplay systems (particularly 3rd and 1st Person experience with weapons, traversal, melee and ranged weapon), setups, and animation\'s role within them (from concept, to rigging, to on screen)
• Knowledge of animation trees and animation blending; previous experience with node-based animation editors 
• Proficiency in the following: Motion Capture, Motion Matching, Maya, and real-time game engines/ editors
• Ability to self-direct in terms of owning management responsibilities as well as knowing when to jump in an individual contributor
• A good collaborative approach to development, especially with design and engineering
• The ability to provide us with a demo reel which showcases either, your ability to: 1) Successfully create and implement key-frame and motion capture animation as an individual contributor and/or 2) Lead a team of animators who successfully created and implemented key-frame and motion capture animation under your direction. Any candidates without recent/relevant work to share during interviews will not be considered. 

Added Bonus if you have...   

• Experience with Motion builder