Job Overview
creative vision of the Animation Director and the technical execution of the Engineering team. In this role, you will lead a squad of talented animators, ensuring that every movement, combat strike, and traversal action feels fluid, impactful, and perfectly integrated into our proprietary C-Engine.
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Techland |
| Location | Ul. Inflancka 4c/budynek d, 00-189 Warszawa, Poland |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Experience Level | Lead / Senior (5+ Years) |
| Salary Range | 22,000 – 32,000 PLN per month (B2B/UoP dependent on experience) |
| Key Technology | C-Engine, Autodesk Motionbuilder, Mocap |
| Primary Keyword | Gameplay Animation & Technical Leadership |
Techland is one of the most iconic names in the global gaming industry, boasting over 30 years of heritage in crafting immersive, boundary-pushing experiences. From our state-of-the-art studios in Wroclaw and Warsaw, we have assembled an international powerhouse of more than 500 professionals. Together, we have built legendary franchises like Call of Juarez and the genre-defining Dying Light, which has captivated over 45 million players worldwide.
As we embark on our most ambitious journey yet—an unannounced AAA Open-World Action-RPG—we are looking for a Lead Gameplay Animator to join our Warsaw team. This is not just a leadership role; it is a chance to define the “feel” of our next masterpiece. If you are an animator who understands the delicate dance between aesthetic beauty and technical responsiveness, Techland is your next destination.
The Vision: Why Your Role Matters
At Techland, we believe that animation is the soul of gameplay. In an open-world setting, the player’s connection to the character is maintained through the quality of movement. As the Lead Gameplay Animator, you will play an impactful role by working very closely with programmers and designers to build solid foundations for gameplay.
We are looking for a leader who will lead by example. You aren’t just managing spreadsheets; you are producing high-quality content that sets the bar for the rest of the team. Your expertise in animation graphs and state machines will be the backbone of our motion systems, ensuring that our characters move with a level of realism and responsiveness that defines the AAA standard.
Core Responsibilities & Daily Tasks
Your daily life at Techland will be a blend of creative direction, technical problem-solving, and team mentorship.
1. Technical Architecture & Implementation
Systems Oversight: You will supervise the systems architecture from the animation point of view. This involves anticipating, planning, and advising on technical issues related to implementation before they become bottlenecks.
Engine Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with gameplay and animation programmers to create amazing gameplay solutions using Techland’s proprietary C-Engine.
The “Perfect Link”: You will act as the primary point of contact between Design and Code. You ensure that the designer’s “dream” for a mechanic is technically feasible and that the code supports the artistic nuances of the animation.
2. Creative Leadership & Quality Control
Vision Alignment: Support the Animation Director in the creation of the animation vision. You are responsible for ensuring your team achieves the highest quality on par with the established style.
Mocap Direction: Prepare and direct motion capture (mocap) sessions. You will encourage and support your animators to participate in these sessions to better understand the source of the motion they are cleaning and polishing.
Feedback Loop: Mentoring a team of talented animators is a huge part of this role. You will review work, provide constructive feedback, and foster an environment where everyone can grow their animation skills.
3. Production & Management
Backlog Management: Work with producers to estimate backlogs, plan the team’s work, and ensure on-time delivery without compromising the health and morale of the team.
Hands-on Involvement: While you are a leader, you are also a practitioner. You will be actively involved in achieving the team’s goals by creating key animation assets yourself.
Requirements: What We Look For in a Lead
To succeed as a Lead Gameplay Animator at Techland, you need a balance of artistic flair and technical “under-the-hood” knowledge.
Professional Pedigree: 5+ years of experience in character animation specifically for video games, with at least one shipped AAA title in a senior or lead capacity.
Technical Mastery: In-depth experience working with animation graphs and state machines. You should understand how to blend animations seamlessly to maintain player agency.
Software Expertise: Strong professional knowledge of Autodesk Motionbuilder (or equivalent industry-standard software).
Keyframing & Mocap: While we use mocap extensively, strong keyframing skills are essential for stylizing and exaggerating movements to feel “game-ready.”
Leadership Prowess: Solid experience in leading and mentoring teams. You should be someone who inspires excellence rather than just demanding it.
Communication: Very good command of English. Since we are an international team, clear communication is the most important tool in your kit.
Why Techland? (The Techland Experience)
We don’t just offer a job; we offer a career path in one of the most stable and innovative studios in Europe.
Health & Security
We provide a wide array of benefits including private medical care and life insurance. We run regular pro-health campaigns and celebrate our milestones with gifts for different occasions.
Work-Life Harmony
Techland is famous for its outstanding work atmosphere. We offer flexible working hours and a “no dress code” policy. Every employee is supported by a dedicated HR Business Partner to ensure their well-being is prioritized.
Growth & Development
We want you to be a better animator tomorrow than you are today.
Development Budget: A dedicated budget for each employee for courses and conferences.
Training Days: Extra two paid days per year for training and CSR activities.
Language Classes: We finance English and Polish language classes to help our international team integrate and communicate.
Modern Workspace
Our Warsaw office (Ul. Inflancka) is designed for creativity. It is filled with chillout zones, a fully equipped kitchen, and state-of-the-art workstations. While the Warsaw car park is limited, the office is centrally located and easily accessible.
The C-Engine Advantage
Working at Techland means working with our proprietary C-Engine. As a Lead Gameplay Animator, you will have the unique opportunity to influence the development of the tools you use. Unlike off-the-shelf engines, our tech is tailored specifically for open-world, high-intensity action, allowing for a level of animation fidelity that is rare in the industry.
How to Apply
If you are ready to lead a team of world-class animators and help us build the future of open-world gaming, we want to see your work.
Application Requirements:
Resume: Highlighting your AAA experience and leadership roles.
Portfolio/Demo Reel: Showcasing your gameplay animation work, specifically focusing on combat, traversal, and technical implementation (state machines/graphs).
Cover Letter: Tell us why Techland’s vision for gameplay aligns with your career goals.
Techland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all professionals. Join us in Warsaw and let’s create something unforgettable together.
