Robot Entertainment is seeking a visionary and technically proficient Gameplay Animator to join our world-class team. Known for our hit franchise Orcs Must Die!, we are a studio that prides itself on blending tight gameplay mechanics with expressive, high-energy character performances.

As a Gameplay Animator, you won’t just be moving joints in Maya; you will be the bridge between art and feel. You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure every swing of a sword, every creature’s pounce, and every locomotion cycle feels responsive, readable, and full of personality.

The Role as Gameplay Animator

In this role, you are responsible for the “soul” of the gameplay experience. Robot Entertainment focuses on games where movement and combat are central to the player’s enjoyment. We are looking for an animator who understands that a great animation isn’t just one that looks pretty in a reel—it’s one that feels “snappy” and intuitive when the player presses a button.

Key Responsibilities as Gameplay Animator

• High-Fidelity Animation: Create hand-keyed animations for a diverse cast of characters and creatures. You will be expected to deliver everything from weight-heavy combat strikes to fluid locomotion sets.
• Engine Implementation: This is not a “toss it over the wall” environment. You will actively implement your assets within Unreal Engine 5, utilizing state machines, blend spaces, and animation blueprints to ensure seamless transitions.
• Collaborative Iteration: Work side-by-side with Designers to ensure the “frames of impact” align with gameplay data, and with Engineers to optimize how those animations are called and blended.
• Pipeline Evolution: Help us sharpen our tools. You will contribute to the evolution of our animation workflows, identifying bottlenecks and suggesting technical or artistic improvements.
• Mentorship & Quality Control: Participate in regular dailies and reviews, providing constructive feedback to peers and helping maintain a high-quality bar across the entire project.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate is an animation veteran who has a deep-rooted passion for the “game” part of gameplay animation. You understand the balance between the “Golden Pose” and the “Input Latency.”

Required Qualifications

1. Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in the games industry, specifically focused on gameplay animation.
2. Stylistic Versatility: A portfolio that demonstrates a mastery of both stylized and realistic movement. You should know how to push silhouettes and timing to make action readable even in a chaotic battlefield.
3. Technical Prowess: Professional-level proficiency in Maya. You should also be comfortable navigating Unreal Engine 5‘s animation systems (Animation Blueprints, Montage, etc.).
4. Problem Solving: A proactive mindset. If a transition looks “poppy,” you don’t just wait for a lead to notice; you investigate the blend space and find the fix.
5. Soft Skills: Strong communication skills. You can explain the “why” behind an animation choice to a non-animator clearly and professionally.

Bonus Points

• Creature Work: If you have a knack for quadruped or non-humanoid movement, we want to see it.
• Shipped Titles: Having seen a project through from pre-production to the “Gold” master.
• Technical Animation: Experience with rigging, Python scripting, or creating custom tools to speed up the animation process.

Why Robot Entertainment?

Founded in 2009 by industry veterans, Robot Entertainment remains a fiercely independent studio. We value the health and happiness of our developers as much as the quality of our games. We believe that a creative mind works best when it is well-rested and supported.

Benefits & Perks

• True Remote Flexibility: We were remote-friendly long before it was the norm. While we are headquartered in Plano, Texas, our team works from wherever they call home (provided it’s within 2 hours of CST).
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance packages for you and your family.
• Generous Time Off: We believe in “unplugging.” You’ll receive ample vacation time, plus a one-week summer closure and a three-week winter closure to recharge.
• Growth & Support: We provide annual stipends for home office improvements and personal game purchases, as well as support for continuing your professional education.
• Inclusive Culture: We are committed to building a diverse team where everyone feels welcome and heard.