Website Electronic Arts
At Electronic Arts, Maxis, the studio behind the legendary The Sims, we believe that play is a universal language. Creativity, inclusivity, and the joy of discovery drive everything we do. We are looking for a Senior Animator to join our team in Vancouver, BC, to help push the boundaries of what is possible in life simulation. If you are a visionary animator who loves to blend artistic intuition with technical innovation, we want to help you build the next chapter of The Sims.
About Maxis
Maxis is more than just a studio; it is a global community of dreamers, builders, and storytellers. For decades, The Sims has empowered players to express themselves in ways they never thought possible. As part of our animation team, you won’t just be creating movement—you will be crafting the subtle behaviors, emotions, and interactions that make our Sims feel truly alive. We are a team that values deep collaboration, cutting-edge R&D, and the courage to iterate until we get it right.
Quick Job Summary : Senior Animator (The Sims)
| Feature | Details |
| Company | Electronic Arts (EA) / Maxis |
| Role | Senior Animator (The Sims) |
| Location | Vancouver, BC (Hybrid – 3 days onsite) |
| Salary | $111,600 – $152,800 CAD per year |
| Experience | 5+ years in game development |
| Required Tech | Maya, Unreal Engine |
The Role: Pioneering Animation Workflows
As a Senior Animator, you will be a key leader in our studio’s animation pipeline. This is not just a standard production role; it is an R&D-focused position designed for someone who wants to influence the technical and creative evolution of our products. You will work closely with our Tech Animation and Tech Art teams to build the systems that will define the future of our franchise.
Your days will be a mix of creative animation and technical exploration. You will be tasked with researching and prototyping new animation systems, ensuring that our artists have the best tools to translate their vision into the game. You will be a bridge between the art and engineering departments, helping us maintain a workflow that is as intuitive as it is powerful.
Key Responsibilities
- Research & Development: Lead the exploration of new animation workflows, tools, and real-time techniques.
- Prototyping: Build functional prototypes to test new animation systems, ensuring they meet the high standards of our gameplay experience.
- Workflow Optimization: Enhance our existing pipelines in Maya and Unreal, ensuring that our animation processes are efficient, scalable, and artist-friendly.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work in close partnership with animation, art, and engineering leads to ensure our systems support the broader goals of our games.
- Technical Advocacy: Document your findings, present R&D innovations to studio leadership, and help mentor other animators in the implementation of new systems.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a senior-level artist who brings a perfect balance of traditional animation prowess and technical curiosity.
- Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in game development and content creation.
- Animation Skills: A mastery of hand-keyed animation, paired with professional-grade experience in motion capture cleanup and integration.
- Technical Foundation: Deep knowledge of Maya and Unreal Engine, with a comprehensive understanding of animation pipelines from pre-production to in-game implementation.
- R&D Mindset: A background in pre-production and prototyping. You should be the person who is always asking, “How can we make this better?”
- Communication: Exceptional presentation skills. You must be comfortable advocating for your ideas and explaining complex technical workflows to team members across all disciplines.
Why Join Electronic Arts (EA)?
Joining Maxis and EA means access to world-class benefits and a culture that prioritizes your well-being as much as your career.
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary range of $111,600 – $152,800 CAD per year.
Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy a full suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous vacation time, and paid parental leave.
Growth: Work in a stable, creative environment with massive opportunities to impact one of the most recognizable brands in gaming history.
How to Apply
If you are ready to help us shape the future of The Sims, we encourage you to apply. Reach out to our team at EA to start your journey with us.
To apply for this job please visit jobs.ea.com.