Character Animation Lead

Epic Games • Cary, NC

3d

About The Position

Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.

Requirements

• Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
• Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
• Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
• Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
• Animating in-engine using Unreal Engine animation tools; familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
• Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
• Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments
• Excellent communication and leadership skills

Nice To Haves

• experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
• Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
• Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems.
• Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
• Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviors that feel intuitive and responsive
• Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
• Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
• Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match.
• Robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents.
• Events and company-wide paid breaks.
• Unlimited PTO and sick time.
• Paid sabbatical for individuals with 7 years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed