Animation Manager

Crystal Dynamics is constantly seeking the best gaming talent worldwide to add to our 30-plus year legacy of game development creating new and iconic franchises. We are committed to making great games with great people and living the dream while doing it.

Benefits for our full-time positions include, but are not limited to, a competitive regional salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options, professional development reimbursement, flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities, 12 company paid holidays, plus additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break, and the ability to accrue additional paid time-off.

Join us and shape the future of an amazing studio culture committed to creating award-winning franchises like Tomb Raider, the next Perfect Dark, and more! 

As the Animation Manager at Crystal Dynamics, you will play a pivotal role bridging the gap between our Animation Director's vision and the execution by our talented team of animators, encompassing both cinematics and gameplay. This position requires a unique blend of people management skills and deep expertise in game animation, ensuring you're ready to jump into hands-on work when necessary. You'll find yourself at the core of our creative process, driving the animation quality while fostering a collaborative and productive environment.

As an Animation Manager, you will:

• Collaborate closely with the Animation Director and Art Director to uphold and enhance the game's visual identity.
• Coordinate with Department Leads, Animators, and Designers to define and meet the animation requirements of our game projects.
• Lead and mentor a team of skilled animators, guiding them in developing high-quality gameplay animations and systems.
• Ensure the delivery of responsive combat and traversal animations, collaborating with combat designers and engineers.
• Manage and prioritize animation deliverables, setting clear goals and deadlines, and accurately assessing the volume of work.
• Utilize your understanding of animation stles and techniques to maintain consistency and quality across various projects.
• Foster a positive team culture, providing regular feedback and development opportunities through 1:1s and team training.
• Oversee the documentation and refinement of animation processes throughout the production cycle.

To be considered for this role, we require the following:

• Proven experience as a Senior, Lead, or Principal Animator, with a focus on high-fidelity, action-adventure titles.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of developing animation talent across skill levels.
• Comprehensive knowledge of gameplay systems, particularly in 3rd and 1st person perspectives, and their integration with animation.
• Proficiency in Motion Capture, Motion Matching, Maya, and real-time game engines/editors.
• Demonstrated ability in either creating/implementing key-frame and motion capture animation or leading a team to do so, as evidenced by a demo reel.

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

• Experience with Motion Builder.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine. 

 

The pay range for this role includes the annual base salary, not including bonus and the generous benefits package that Crystal Dynamics provides all full-time employees. Individual compensation is determined by work location within our approved states or regions, as well as additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education. 

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about total compensation.

 

Pay Range (United States)$140,000—$180,000 USD

Not sure if you are qualified? We hope that you will still choose to apply so we may review your application!

Crystal Dynamics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to identifying and implementing positive and persistent measures to ensure equal opportunity in the recruitment, hiring, development, training, promotion and compensation of a diverse team employee group. This includes persons of different race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, political affiliation, age, veteran status, uniform service member status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship, as well as any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that you have read and understand Crystal Dynamics’s Priva