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Lead 3D Animator required at Ubisoft

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Lead 3D Animator required at Ubisoft

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for tactical realism and high-stakes action? Ubisoft is seeking a Lead Animator to join the legendary Rainbow Six team in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a rare opportunity to steer the animation direction of a globally recognized AAA franchise, blending hands-on creative artistry with high-level team leadership.

Job Overview: Lead Animator

  • Company: Ubisoft Reflections
  • Position: Lead Animator (Rainbow Six)
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
  • Employment Type: Full-time
  • Contract Type: Permanent
  • Work Model: On-site (Studio-based role in Newcastle)
  • Salary: Competitive (Aligned with UK AAA industry standards)
  • Primary Tools: MotionBuilder, Keyframe Animation, Proprietary In-house Engines
  • Eligibility Requirement: Must hold valid UK Right to Work (No visa sponsorship available)

The Role: Leading the Future of Tactical Animation

As the Lead Animator, you aren’t just managing a team; you are the bridge between creative vision and technical execution. You will oversee an international cohort of elite animators, ensuring that every movement—from the tactical reload of an operator to the subtle weight of environmental interaction—aligns with the gritty, realistic aesthetic that defines the Rainbow Six brand.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

In this role, you will act as the primary point of contact between your animation team and the broader production and direction departments. You are responsible for:

  • Vision Alignment: Translating the Director’s creative vision into actionable tasks for your team.

  • Project Management: Being accountable for production timelines and ensuring high-quality assets are delivered on schedule.

  • Mentorship: Actively listening to your colleagues, encouraging innovative solutions, and fostering a culture of professional growth.

  • Delegation: Identifying the unique strengths of your team members and assigning tasks that optimize both efficiency and individual development.

Hands-On Artistry

While leadership is a core component, this is a role for a practitioner. You will remain deeply involved in the creation of high-quality animation assets. Your expertise in Keyframe animation and Motion Capture (MoCap) will be vital in shaping the visual identity of the game. You will work within complex 1st person and 3rd person animation systems, ensuring seamless transitions and immersive gameplay experiences.


What You Bring to the Team

To succeed in this high-impact position, you must demonstrate a blend of technical mastery and interpersonal “soft skills.” Ubisoft is looking for a leader who is as comfortable in a spreadsheet as they are in a MoCap suit.

Core Requirements:

  • Proven Leadership: You have a track record of mentoring or leading teams within a game development environment. You know how to handle “crunch” situations with composure and maintain team morale.

  • Realistic Style Expertise: Your portfolio or showreel should showcase a mastery of realistic movement. We are looking for weight, momentum, and authenticity.

  • Technical Proficiency: Deep familiarity with MotionBuilder is essential. You should also be comfortable working with proprietary/in-house engines and navigating the complexities of AAA pipelines.

  • Systemic Understanding: You understand the nuanced differences between 1st person “view-model” animations (the hands/weapons the player sees) and 3rd person world-model animations.

  • Development Life-cycle: Ideally, you have seen a project through from pre-production to gold master, understanding the evolving demands of each phase.


Why Ubisoft? (Benefits and Culture)

Ubisoft Reflections is more than just a workplace; it is a creative hub that prioritizes the wellbeing and growth of its employees. Recognized as a Gold Employer in the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index, the studio puts people at the heart of its operations.

Compensation and Financial Security:

  • Competitive Salary: Negotiated based on your experience level within the UK industry.

  • Life and Income Insurance: Ensuring you and your family are protected.

  • Private Healthcare: Full access to top-tier medical support.

Work-Life Harmony:

  • Flexible Core Hours: Work in a way that suits your rhythm.

  • Annual Leave: 25 days plus a guaranteed Christmas shutdown.

  • “Work from Anywhere” Policy: The ability to work from anywhere within the EU for up to four weeks per year.

  • Relocation Support: If you are moving to the vibrant city of Newcastle, Ubisoft provides generous assistance to get you settled.

Professional Growth and Fun:

  • Personal Development: Significant resources dedicated to your continuous learning.

  • Free Gaming: Access to the vast Ubisoft catalog.

  • Community Investment: Paid days for volunteering and contributing to local causes.

  • Vibrant Social Scene: Regular celebrations, activities, and a studio culture that values “the art of belonging.”


About the Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle is one of the UK’s most iconic cities, known for its rich industrial heritage, world-class nightlife, and proximity to stunning coastlines and countryside. Working at Ubisoft Reflections places you at the center of a thriving tech and gaming ecosystem in the North East of England.

How to Apply

If you are ready to place your stamp on one of the industry’s most respected series and help lead the next generation of animators, we want to hear from you.

Please Ensure Your Application Includes:

  1. A current CV/Resume.

  2. A link to your Portfolio or Showreel (Focusing on realistic, keyframed, and MoCap-integrated work).

  3. Confirmation of your UK Right to Work.

Note on Diversity: Ubisoft believes that diverse perspectives help teams thrive. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to help us “create the unknown.”

Read more

Remote Senior 3D Animation Artist – Thatgamecompany

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Thatgamecompany, the visionary studio behind critically acclaimed titles like Journey, flOw, and Flower, is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Cinematic 3D Animation Artist. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to the evolving world of Sky: Children of the Light, a game celebrated for its emotional depth and breathtaking visual storytelling. As a Cinematic Animation Artist, you will bridge the gap between narrative vision and technical execution. Reporting to the Art team and collaborating closely with Design, you will be responsible for crafting the “soul” of the game—the cutscenes and cinematic moments that define the player’s emotional journey. Job Overview: Cinematic 3D Animation Artist Feature Details Company Name Thatgamecompany (TGC) Job Title Senior 3D Cinematic Animation Artist Department Art Location Remote (United States or Canada) Employment Type Full-Time Salary Range $107,000 – $148,000 USD annually Visa Policy Must be authorized to work in US/Canada (No sponsorship) Key Tools Autodesk Maya, Proprietary Game Engines Role Mission & Impact In this role, you aren’t just moving characters; you are directing experiences. You will assist in designing, generating, and implementing in-game cutscenes using both proprietary and industry-standard toolsets. Your work involves mastering the game engine to create complex timelines that weave together cameras, character animations, environmental effects, and in-world mechanics. Beyond the technicalities, you will contribute to the broader narrative development. Whether it’s 3D keyframe animation for a pivotal character moment or storyboarding a new sequence, your goal is to deliver clear, emotionally resonant content that aligns with the unique aesthetic of thatgamecompany. Detailed Responsibilities 1. Narrative & Cinematic Creation Your primary focus is the development of emotionally engaging cutscenes. This includes everything from the initial “blue-sky” ideation to the final polish in-engine. You will be tasked with: Designing and implementing cinematic sequences that feel seamless within the gameplay experience. Modifying and revising existing cinematics based on creative feedback or technical requirements. Ensuring that every camera move and character gesture reinforces the intended emotional beat of the story. 2. Storyboarding & Visual Development Before moving into 3D, you will use your skills in visual storytelling to map out the narrative. Translating script or design notes into clear thumbnails and storyboards. Contributing to the overall narrative design and world-building of Sky: Children of the Light. 3. 3D Keyframe Animation The quality of movement is paramount at TGC. You will provide: High-end 3D keyframe animation for characters, props, and environment elements. Rigorous testing to ensure animations hold up across various gameplay conditions. Technical implementation and debugging of assets within the game engine. 4. Interdisciplinary Coordination Cinematics sit at the intersection of Art, Code, and Design. You will: Communicate daily with different departments to ensure technical feasibility. Deliver high-quality work under tight, dynamic production deadlines. Candidate Requirements The “Must-Haves” To be successful in this role, you need a blend of artistic intuition and technical discipline: Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in cinematic production for games, or high-level animation for film, TV, or commercials. Artistic Foundation: Deep knowledge of cinematography, editing, pictorial composition, and the core principles of visual storytelling. Technical Skill: Solid technical proficiency with 3D game engines and Autodesk Maya. Communication: The ability to communicate narrative ideas quickly via thumbnails or animatics. Adaptability: A strong willingness to learn new proprietary software and adapt to evolving workflows. The “Nice-to-Haves” Domain Knowledge: A personal passion for and experience with Sky: Children of the Light. Generalist Skills: Proficiency in rigging, modeling, or digital painting. Technical Depth: Knowledge of gameplay engineering or languages like C++, C#, and C. Comprehensive Benefits & Perks Thatgamecompany is committed to the holistic well-being of its employees. From day one, you are eligible for a robust package designed to support your life both inside and outside of work. Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents. Benefits start on your first day. Financial Security: 401(k) program with company match and a discretionary annual bonus. Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), standard holidays, and a dedicated two-week Winter Break. Remote Support: Pre-tax stipends for both general wellness and work-from-home expenses. Mental Health: Access to Headspace memberships and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Inclusivity: Participation in “Grow Together” diversity initiatives and support for personal professional development. Family & Pets: Compassionate leave for family care and even pet insurance for your furry companions. How to Apply If you are an animator who believes that games can be a force for emotional good, we want to see your portfolio. Please ensure your reel highlights your 3D keyframe animation and your ability to direct compelling cinematic sequences. Note: Applicants must currently reside in and be authorized to work in the U.S. or Canada. Thatgamecompany cannot provide visa sponsorship for this specific position at this time.