Lead Animator

IllFonic

9d • $100,000 - $150,000

About The Position

IllFonic is seeking a Lead Animator to oversee animation quality, gameplay character motion, and the animation team for an exciting new title. The role leads keyframing and motion-capture integration, partners with technical animators to refine rigging pipelines, and works with Design and Engineering to create responsive, high-fidelity character animation in Unreal Engine. The Lead Animator mentors animation talent, establishes animation style guides, and drives visual benchmarks across in-game movement.

The position includes managing and mentoring internal animators, directing an overseas co-development animation team, designing and optimizing UE5 animation systems with the Art & Animation Director and Animation Engineer, and driving work from initial blockouts and keyframing through in-engine AnimGraph tuning and playtesting. It also involves improving workflows, overseeing external animation partners, and directing occasional live motion-capture sessions at IllFonic’s Denver studio, including data cleanup and integration.

Requirements

• Deep familiarity with Unreal Engine Control Rig, Sequencer, and Animation Blueprints.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in video game animation production, including at least 3 years in Lead Animator roles.
• Multiple shipped console and PC titles as a Lead Animator.
• Proven experience leading character animation teams across keyframe, motion-capture, and technical-animation disciplines.
• Expert understanding of 3D animation software such as Maya and 3ds Max, character keyframing, facial performance capture, motion editing, and real-time animation state machines.
• Strong hands-on experience with Unreal Engine animation workflows, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blend spaces, animation montages, and in-engine debugging.
• Experience directing gameplay-animation feel and responsiveness in third-person or first-person titles.
• Strong animation reel or portfolio demonstrating exceptional keyframing skills, character mechanics, body language, and motion clarity.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire animators and align cross-discipline gameplay goals.
• Resourcefulness and a hands-on approach to complex rigging and animation-pipeline challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with and expanding existing intellectual property.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and inspire internal animators while directing and tasking an overseas co-development animation team.
• Work with the Art & Animation Director and Animation Engineer to design and optimize responsive UE5 animation systems.
• Drive animations from initial blockouts and keyframing through in-engine AnimGraph tuning and playtesting.
• Identify pipeline bottlenecks, refine workflows, and manage tasking, feedback, and quality control for external animation partners.
• Direct live motion-capture sessions at the Denver MoCap studio and oversee data cleanup and integration.
• Coordinate proactively with Design, Engineering, Art, and Production to identify animation requirements, resolve dependencies, communicate technical constraints, and align gameplay and animation goals.
• Mentor animator talent and raise team motion-quality standards.

Benefits

• 100% employee-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; 50% coverage for dependents.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% company match.
• Up to 7 weeks of mandated paid time off annually, including Summer and Winter breaks, 7 holidays, and a flexible PTO policy.
• Quarterly Royalty Bonus Plan.
• Stock Option Plan.
• Flexible work options: remote, hybrid, or in-office.

What This Job Offers

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