Cloud Imperium Games UK hiring Animator (Gameplay)

Job Overview

• Company: Cloud Imperium Games UK (CIG)
• Project Focus: Star Citizen & Squadron 42
• Role Title: Gameplay Animator
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Location: Manchester / Wilmslow (UK), Frankfurt (DE), Austin / Los Angeles (USA)
• Work Model: Hybrid / On-site (Distributed Global Collaboration)
• Experience Level: Intermediate to Senior

Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the visionary independent studio founded by legendary developer Chris Roberts, is seeking a high-caliber Gameplay Animator to join our world-class team.

As the architects of Star Citizen and Squadron 42, CIG is pushing the boundaries of what is technically and artistically possible in the AAA space. We don’t just build games; we build a living, breathing universe. Our team thrives on “thinking outside the box,” creating groundbreaking technology, and maintaining a commitment to fidelity that is unmatched in the industry. As a Gameplay Animator, you will be at the front lines of this mission, breathing life into players, AI, and creatures across the vast expanse of the verse.

Executive Compensation & Total Rewards

Cloud Imperium Games provides a competitive compensation structure designed to attract the industry’s most creative and technically proficient animators. Salaries are adjusted based on the specific cost-of-living metrics for our global hubs (UK, EU, or USA).

The Role: Defining the Soul of the Verse

As a Gameplay Animator at Cloud Imperium Games, you are much more than an artist; you are a technical choreographer. You will work within a specialized team of designers and programmers to develop engaging combat and social gameplay. Your work will dictate how it “feels” to survive in deep space, from the subtle weight of a character sitting in a cockpit to the high-intensity reactions of an elite AI combatant.

Key Responsibilities

• Holistic Implementation: Work across the animation pipeline to develop fluid, realistic actions for Players, AI, and Creatures. You will be responsible for both combat-heavy and nuanced social interactions.

• Flowgraph & Behavior Design: Collaborate directly with designers to create branching animation flowgraphs. You won’t just create clips; you will help design the logic that triggers them, ensuring seamless transitions in a systemic world.

• Motion Capture & Keyframe: Develop and refine high-quality motion capture data. You will also have the opportunity to assist on the mocap set, ensuring the data captured meets the creative vision. When MoCap isn’t enough, you will utilize expert-level keyframe skills for creatures and unique player actions.

• Quality Advocacy: Work under the Animation Lead and Director to establish and uphold the visual bar for the game engine. You will be a guardian of the “CIG Quality” standard.

• Global Collaboration: Navigate a distributed team environment, communicating daily with colleagues in the UK, EU, and USA to ensure asset consistency across the entire game.

Requirements: The Star Citizen Standard

We are looking for individuals who are not satisfied with “good enough.” You must have a passion for fidelity and a desire to challenge the status quo of game animation.

• Professional Experience: A proven track record of commercial experience in game animation development, specifically within AAA pipelines.

• Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder. Familiarity with proprietary engine tools and flowgraph logic is a significant plus.

• Animation Fundamentals: An elite grasp of weight, timing, staging, and silhouette. You must be able to create “solid-playing” actions that look realistic but feel responsive to the player.

• Conceptual Breakdown: The ability to take a complex gameplay concept (e.g., a systemic cover system) and break it down into its constituent animation requirements.

• Problem Solving: A proactive ability to identify technical risks early in the development cycle and innovate solutions to overcome engine or performance constraints.

• Eagerness to Iterate: At CIG, we thrive on feedback. You must be eager to challenge your own ideas and those of your peers to reach the absolute best result.

CIG’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Cloud Imperium Games UK is a global company staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives.

• The Vast Universe Principle: We believe the universe is as vast and varied as the people in it. Our goal is to build a team that represents all walks of life.

• Authentic Recognition: We foster a space where diversity isn’t just a metric, but a core strength that improves our creative output.

• Equal Opportunity: As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage every employee to bring the unique aspects of their personality and history to the work environment.

Anti-Fraud & Security Statement

CIG is aware of fraudulent job offers alleging to be from our company. Please note:

• We never ask for personal info like bank account numbers or ID numbers via social media or chat apps.

• We never request or send money for the purchase of business equipment during the hiring process.

• All official communication will come from a @cloudimperiumgames.com email address. If you suspect fraud, report it to info@cloudimperiumgames.com.

How We Get Things Done

At Cloud Imperium, we are “Star Citizens” first. We operate on a philosophy of transparency and community engagement. You will be joining a studio that is not beholden to traditional publisher timelines, allowing us to focus on quality above all else. This results in a highly collaborative, albeit fast-paced, environment where technical and artistic innovation happens daily.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

Final Thoughts

If you are passionate about space, technology, and the art of movement, Cloud Imperium Games is the ultimate destination for your career. We are constantly seeking the next generation of animators who can help us take Star Citizen to the next level.