Job Overview
| Category | Associate Level | Mid-Level | Senior Level |
| Company | Gunfire Games | Gunfire Games | Gunfire Games |
| Location | Austin, TX (WFH Flexible) | Austin, TX (WFH Flexible) | Austin, TX (WFH Flexible) |
| Experience | 1–3 Years (Indie/Personal/Intern) | 3–5+ Years (Professional) | 5+ Years (Professional) |
| Shipped Titles | Preferred | Demonstrable track record | Required (Shipped Game Titles) |
| Primary Toolset | 3ds Max & Unreal Engine | 3ds Max & Unreal Engine | 3ds Max & Unreal Engine |
| Animation Style | Foundations (Timing/Weight) | Advanced Hand-Keyed Motion | Creative & Technical Direction |
| Responsibility | Learning pipelines & feedback | Owning tasks & workflow dev | Mentoring & driving quality |
| Rigging Work | Familiarity with custom rigs | Comfort with complex rigs | Advanced rigging & problem solving |
| Mocap Pipeline | General familiarity | Direct experience with data | Leading mocap initiatives |
| Core Objective | Build production-ready assets | Improve cross-functional workflows | Drive high-level creative vision |
| Pay Range | $60,000 – $85,000* | $85,000 – $110,000* | $110,000 – $135,000* |
About Gunfire Games ::
At Gunfire Games, we’re passionate about creating unforgettable worlds and player experiences. With a legacy that includes Darksiders 3, the Remnant series, and Chronos, we’re driven by what’s next in game development. Our team thrives on creativity, collaboration, and pushing our craft to the highest level.
We are currently seeking a 3D Animator (Associate, Mid-Level, or Senior) to support our current and future titles. In this role, you’ll work closely with designers and the technical team using 3ds Max and Unreal Engine to bring characters and worlds to life.
The Role ::
As a 3D Animator, you will be a key contributor to the look and feel of our games. Working within 3ds Max and Unreal Engine, you will collaborate with designers and technical artists to create high-fidelity character animations that define our worlds.
Key Responsibilities ::
- Character Artistry: Create high-quality, hand-keyed animations that express character personality and align with the Art Director’s vision.
- Technical Execution: Apply expert knowledge of timing, spacing, weight, and posing to ensure believable motion.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineers and designers to ensure seamless integration and optimization within Unreal Engine.
- Problem Solving: Identify and resolve pipeline bottlenecks and implementation challenges.
- Growth & Leadership:
- Associate: Master production pipelines and iterate based on professional feedback.
- Mid-Level: Own complex tasks and improve existing animation workflows.
- Senior: Drive the creative/technical direction and mentor junior team members.
Who You Are
Whether you are just starting your career or are a seasoned industry veteran, you have a passion for games and a “team-first” mentality.
Core Requirements (All Levels)
- A strong portfolio or reel demonstrating mastery of animation fundamentals.
- Proficiency in 3ds Max (specifically using proprietary tools).
- Experience with hand-keyed animation and custom character rigs.
- Familiarity with Motion Capture pipelines and data.
- Strong understanding of technical constraints for consoles and game engines.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to estimate task timelines accurately.
Level-Specific Qualifications
- Associate: 1–3 years of experience (includes internships, indie titles, or high-quality personal projects).
- Mid-Level: 3–5+ years of professional game industry experience; proven ability to own tasks from start to finish.
- Senior: 5+ years of experience with at least one shipped title; expertise in mentoring and leading technical initiatives.
Bonus XP
- Deep expertise in Unreal Engine.
- Background in Cinematic Animation.
- Experience with Character and Prop Rigging.
- Strong pulse on industry trends and emerging animation technologies.
The Logistics
- Location: Austin, TX (WFH Flexible).
- Compensation: $60,000 – $135,000 (Base pay is determined by experience and skill level).
- Legal: Gunfire Games LLC participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation confirming authorization to work in the United States.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Gunfire Games provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics
*Note: Salary ranges are estimates based on the total $60k–$135k scale provided; actual offers depend on individual skill and professional considerations.
