Senior Animator (f/m/x) at Deck 13 Interactive

Deck 13 Interactive, the creative powerhouse behind critically acclaimed titles like The Surge series, Lords of the Fallen, and Atlas Fallen, is looking for a masterful Senior Animator to join our ranks. Based in the vibrant heart of Frankfurt am Main—with flexible remote options within Germany—this role is a cornerstone of our development process.

As a Senior Animator, you won’t just move characters; you will define the weight of a warrior’s swing, the tension in a creature’s pounce, and the emotional resonance of a cinematic beat. You will join a legacy of developers who value “gameplay first,” ensuring that every frame of animation serves the player’s experience and the world’s immersion.

Key Employment Details: Senior Animator

Our Story: Crafting the Extraordinary

Since our inception in 2001, Deck 13 has evolved from a small passionate group in Frankfurt into one of Germany’s most respected game developers. Now a proud member of the PulluP Entertainment group, we maintain our “indie heart” with “AAA ambitions.” Our team of 100 professionals is dedicated to pushing the technical boundaries of what hardware can achieve, specifically focusing on high-fidelity action games that demand precision, responsiveness, and visual flair.

When you join Deck 13, you aren’t just an employee; you are a vital contributor to a culture that prizes iterative design and creative bravery. We believe our best games are still on the horizon, and we want your artistry to be the reason they succeed.

Your Quest: Responsibilities & Impact

As a Senior member of the animation department, your role is split between high-level execution and collaborative leadership. You will breathe life into our virtual worlds through:

1. Technical & Creative Execution

• Keyframe Mastery: Create and maintain top-tier keyframe animations with a meticulous focus on body mechanics, weight distribution, timing, and facial expressiveness.

• Mocap Integration: Clean, adapt, and enhance motion-capture data to fit the specific stylistic needs of our combat and traversal systems.

• Cinematic Staging: Apply strong staging principles to ensure that both gameplay and cinematic sequences feel dynamic and impactful.

2. Pipeline & Integration

• Unreal Engine 5 Implementation: Work directly within UE5 to implement animations, ensuring they interact correctly with game logic and state machines.

• Rigging & Skinning: Apply best practices in skinning and rigging to support the animation needs of complex characters and creatures.

• Problem Solving: Proactively identify and resolve technical animation issues, from compression artifacts to blending glitches.

3. Collaboration & Mentorship

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Collaborate with Game Designers to ensure animations feel responsive and meet gameplay requirements, and with the Art Department to maintain visual cohesion.

• Lead Support: Work closely with the Lead Animator to hit quality targets and maintain the project’s schedule.

• Feedback Culture: Participate in and lead review sessions, offering constructive feedback and embracing an iterative approach to perfection.

Your Toolkit: Qualifications for Senior Animator

Deck 13 is looking for a veteran who understands that animation is the soul of gameplay.

The Essentials:

• Industry Veteran: You have at least 5 years of experience specifically within the games industry, having shipped titles on PC or Console.

• Portfolio: A strong showreel is non-negotiable. We want to see your understanding of weight, force, and character personality in action.

• Combat Specialist: Proven experience in high-intensity combat animation. You understand the “frame-perfect” nature of action-RPGs.

• Engine Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 is required.

• Communication: Excellent command of the English language (our primary studio language) and a solution-oriented mindset.

Bonus Points (Power-Ups):

• Expertise in 3ds Max and the CAT (Character Animation Toolkit).

• Experience with hardware like Movella Xsens or Metagloves.

• Deep knowledge of MotionBuilder for advanced mocap editing.

• Previous experience managing external outsourcing partners.

Power-Ups: What We Offer You

Deck 13 understand that the best creators need a supportive environment to thrive. Our benefits package is designed to provide security, growth, and a high quality of life.

• Work-Life Balance: 28 days of paid vacation, with the 24th and 31st of December guaranteed off to spend with family.

• Modern Workspace: A beautiful, central office in Frankfurt near the Messe, featuring the latest tech and a collaborative atmosphere.

• Remote Flexibility: While we love our office, we offer robust remote work options for those living within Germany, including a monthly remote working allowance.

• Health & Well-being: Access to the Bloom mental health platform and a monthly allowance for gym memberships to keep you physically and mentally fit.

• Mobility: A monthly allowance for the Deutschlandticket, covering your public transport across the country.

• Growth: A dedicated yearly Learning & Development budget and free language courses to help you settle into Germany or expand your horizons.

• Financial Perks: Tax-free Probonio vouchers every month to supplement your lifestyle.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

At Deck 13 Interactive, diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our competitive advantage. We believe that a team comprised of different backgrounds, religions, orientations, and life experiences creates more empathetic and exciting games. We are an equal-opportunity employer and encourage everyone, regardless of their unique characteristics, to apply.

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

If you are ready to take your career to the next level with a studio (Deck 13) that values your craft as much as you do, we want to see your reel.

How to Apply: Please submit your CV, a link to your online portfolio/showreel, and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with Unreal Engine 5 and combat animation.