Website Ember Lab
Job Overview
Essential Role Logistics & Compensation
Company Name: Ember Lab
Location: Orange, California (With Remote and Hybrid options available).
Primary Focus: Cinematic Layout, Previs, and 3D Animation.
Employment Type: Full-Time, Senior Level.
Annual Salary Range: $88,000 – $120,000 USD (Final pay is determined by experience, qualifications, and specific location).
Core Software: Mastery of Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 5.
Experience Requirements: A minimum of 5+ years in a professional animation role and at least 1+ Shipped Title.
Application Requirements: A professional Digital Portfolio or Animation Reel is mandatory for consideration.
In the heart of the creative landscape of Orange, California, a studio is redefining the intersection of digital film and interactive play. Ember Lab, the visionary team behind the breathtaking Kena: Bridge of Spirits, is expanding. We are inviting a Senior Cinematics Animator to join our tight-knit collective.
Choosing a career at Ember Lab means more than just filling a seat; it means becoming a guardian of a unique aesthetic that has captivated millions. If you are a master of movement based in (or willing to work with) a studio rooted in Orange, California, we want to see how you can help us elevate the next generation of narrative-driven experiences.
The Ember Lab Vision: Crafting Magic in Orange, California
Ember Lab was founded on the principle that storytelling is a transformative power. Our studio in Orange, California, serves as a hub for artists who are tired of the “factory” feel of massive AAA studios and instead want to work in an environment where their individual artistic fingerprints are visible on the final product.
Collaborative Core
We believe that the best animations aren’t born in a vacuum—they are the result of constant dialogue. At Ember Lab, you will collaborate across departments to bring characters to life. Your work will bridge the gap between gameplay and cinematic storytelling, ensuring that the transition from a cutscene to player control is as fluid as a feature film.
The Next Chapter
Having released our debut game in 2021, the journey of Ember Lab is just beginning. We are looking for team members who don’t just want to follow a style guide, but who want to help us invent new ways to move, emote, and inspire.
What You Will Do: The Craft of Cinematic Animation
As a Senior member of the Ember Lab team, your responsibilities go beyond standard keyframing. You are a visual architect.
1. Cinematic Layout and Previs
You will be the first person to “see” the story. You will develop character and camera layouts, creating the previs for gameplay cinematics. This requires a director’s eye for framing, timing, and composition to ensure that every shot maximizes the emotional stakes of the narrative.
2. Technical Integration in UE5
At Ember Lab, an animator’s job isn’t finished until the character is moving in the engine. You will integrate animations into the game project, utilizing Unreal Engine 5’s advanced animation systems to ensure a high-fidelity output that maintains the integrity of your Maya work.
3. Narrative Readability and Clarity
Part of your role involves creating temporary lighting and FX during the previs stage. This ensures that the storytelling is clear to all stakeholders long before the final polish. You will be the point person for attending to cinematic bugs, ensuring the player’s immersion is never broken by technical glitches.
4. Industry Leadership
You will stay up-to-date with industry trends, bringing new techniques and efficiencies back to the Orange, California studio to help Ember Lab maintain its reputation for world-class visual quality.
Who You Are: Requirements and Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate who balances technical mastery with the “soul” of an artist.
The Foundation
Experience: You have 5+ years of gameplay or cinematic animation experience.
Track Record: You have shipped at least one professional title.
Technical Suite: You are a power user of Maya and have significant experience within Unreal Engine 4 or 5.
The Skillset
Body Mechanics: You have a profound understanding of weight, physics, and action. Your animations feel grounded yet expressive.
Cinematic Framing: You understand camera lenses, focal lengths, and the language of film.
Communication: You are a strong verbal and written communicator, essential for the high-collaboration culture at Ember Lab.
Time Management: You can meet deadlines and manage your own workflow effectively within our production schedules.
Compensation, Location, and Benefits
Ember Lab is proud to offer a competitive compensation package that respects the cost of living and the high level of talent found in Orange, California, and the surrounding regions.
Salary Specifics: The standard annual base salary range for this role in the U.S. is $88,000 – $120,000 USD. Actual pay will vary depending on your specific qualifications, performance, and location.
Remote and Hybrid Work: While our heart is in Orange, California, we offer remote flexibility for candidates who align with our culture and timezone requirements.
Global Consideration: For candidates applying from outside the U.S., salary ranges will be adjusted according to local market standards.
A Secure and Professional Hiring Process
We take your privacy and security seriously. Ember Lab conducts all official recruitment through:
Official Ember Lab email addresses.
Our BambooHR recruitment platform.
Verified LinkedIn profiles.
If you receive a suspicious message through an unexpected platform, please ignore it and notify us at contact@emberlab.com.
How to Apply
If you are ready to help Ember Lab shape the future of interactive storytelling from our base in Orange, California, we invite you to apply.
Submission Requirements:
Portfolio/Reel: Provide a link to your best work. We are looking for high-quality body mechanics and cinematic camera work.
Professional Resume: Detail your shipped projects and technical expertise.
Cover Letter: Tell us why you are the right fit for the Ember Lab culture.
Why Choose Ember Lab?
At Ember Lab, the Senior Cinematics Animator isn’t just a technician; they are a visual storyteller. Based in our Orange, California studio hub, you will be responsible for the “first look” of our narrative, bridging the gap between raw concept and the final, breathtaking player experience.
From defining camera lenses in previs to ensuring high-fidelity character performances in UE5, your work will be the heartbeat of the studio’s next transformative journey. This is a chance to move beyond the rigid structures of traditional AAA development and exert real creative influence in a collaborative, artist-first environment.
To apply for this job please visit emberlab.bamboohr.com.