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Riot Games is looking for a visionary Technical Animator to join our elite R&D team in Los Angeles. This is a high-impact role dedicated to an unpublished, large-scale MMO project that aims to redefine the boundaries of player interaction and creature performance. As a Technical Animator, you will sit at the vital crossroads of animation, design, and engineering, serving as the architect of the systems that bring our game world to life. In this position, you aren’t just animating characters; you are building the living, breathing infrastructure of a massive multiplayer universe. From defining complex state machines to optimizing runtime IK and motion warping, the Technical Animator ensures that every movement—from a player’s hero to a gargantuan world boss—is believable, responsive, and performant. Job Overview: Technical Animator Category Details Primary Job Title Technical Animator (Senior Level) Company Riot Games Project Type Unpublished R&D Product (MMO) Location Los Angeles, California, USA Base Salary Range $185,200 – $258,000 USD Core Technology Unreal Engine (Advanced Animation Blueprints) Experience Req. 5+ Years in Games or Technical Animation Riot Games recognizes that a world-class Technical Animator is a rare and valuable asset. Our compensation package is designed to reflect the technical complexity and creative leadership required for this senior-level role. 1. Salary and Equity 2. Health and Wellness 3. Lifestyle and Balance As a Technical Animator on the R&D team, you are responsible for the “how” of animation. You bridge the gap between the artistic vision of the animation team and the technical constraints of a massive multiplayer engine. 1. Systems Architecture The Technical Animator builds and maintains the core animation frameworks. You will develop complex state machines, layered animation systems, and override logic that supports split-body setups. Whether it is a player character, a complex NPC, or an atmospheric prop, you ensure the technical setup is robust and scalable. 2. Unreal Engine Mastery You will dive deep into Unreal Engine, owning the health and maintainability of Animation Blueprints and graphs. A key part of your role is defining best practices for setup, ensuring that every asset is debuggable and well-documented for the rest of the team. 3. Optimization for MMO Scale Developing for a “massive” world requires a different mindset. The Technical Animator drives optimization efforts to meet strict performance and memory targets. You will ensure that character systems scale effectively, allowing hundreds of actors to interact simultaneously without frame-rate degradation. 4. Innovation in Motion You will develop scalable animation retargeting strategies to support characters and creatures of varying proportions. By implementing runtime IK and motion warping, you provide the tools needed to achieve high-fidelity motion that adapts to dynamic environments and terrain. What We’re Looking For in a Technical Animator Riot Games looks for more than just technical skill; we look for “Player Empathy.” Every system a Technical Animator builds should ultimately serve the goal of delighting the player. Required Qualifications: Desired Skills: At Riot Games, our mission is to be the most player-centric game company in the world. This mission drives every decision we make. Whether you are building a new animation graph or supporting a global live service, you are part of a team that puts the player experience above all else. We believe that we are better when we work together. We foster a collaborative environment where every Technical Animator is empowered to bring their unique perspective and craft expertise to the table. Our goal is to build teams that represent the diverse global community of players we serve. Riot Games is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all Rioters. We consider all qualified applicants for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. Note on Background Checks: Per Los Angeles County ordinances, certain duties such as safeguarding confidential data and accessing secure digital networks may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories. These duties are essential to maintaining the safety and security of our players and our company. Hiring Senior Technical Animator at Riot Games Apply now See open roles Explore More Animation Jobs Explore More VFX Jobs