Website Little Zoo Studio
Job Overview
Core Details: Gameplay Animator Jobs
Company Name: Little Zoo Studio
Job Titles: Gameplay Animator (Mid-Level & Senior-Level)
Primary Keyword: Little Zoo Studio animation careers
Location: 100% Remote (Work from anywhere)
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary Range (Mid): Competitive / Based on experience (Approx. $75,000 – $105,000 USD)
Salary Range (Senior): Competitive / Based on experience (Approx. $110,000 – $155,000 USD)
Software Requirements: Autodesk Maya (Required), Unreal Engine (Preferred)
Communication: Must be fluent in English with solid communication skills
Little Zoo Studio is a world-renowned animation collective that specializes in high-fidelity character movement for the global gaming industry. At Little Zoo Studio, we don’t just “move” characters; we craft their souls. Our studio is built on the principle that top-tier animation is the most direct way to connect a player to a story.
We are currently expanding our remote workforce and are specifically looking for experts to fill our gameplay animators jobs. We provide a studio environment that values artistic autonomy, technical mastery, and a “quality-first” mindset. If you are passionate about hand-keyed excellence and want to work on projects that push the limits of modern hardware, Little Zoo Studio is your next professional home.
The Role: Elevating Player Experience
In our gameplay animators jobs, the primary mission is to create responsive, high-impact movement that feels “right” in the hands of the player. You will be responsible for the entire life-cycle of an animation, from the initial keyframe in Maya to the final blend-state in the game engine.
Main Responsibilities
Keyframe Craftsmanship: Author strong, 100% keyframe animations for characters and creatures, focusing on weight, silhouette, and appeal.
Body Mechanics: Execute complex physical actions—such as parkour, combat, and heavy lifting—with a deep understanding of anatomy and physics.
Engine Integration: Implement animations into Unreal Engine, managing state machines, hit-boxes, and transitions to ensure gameplay is “snappy” and fluid.
Mocap Enhancement: While we are keyframe-heavy, you will occasionally clean up or stylize motion capture data to fit the specific aesthetic of a project.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Game Designers and Programmers to ensure the animation supports the mechanics of the game perfectly.
Remote Proactivity: Manage your own schedule, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly with the team across different time zones.
Professional Requirements
Experience: 3+ years (Mid) or 6+ years (Senior) of professional experience in the games industry.
Software Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Autodesk Maya.
Cinematic Acting: The ability to infuse personality into gameplay loops (idles, turns, and emotes).
Technical Knowledge: Understanding of root motion, IK/FK blending, and skeletal hierarchy optimization.
Communication: Fluent in English with the ability to provide and receive constructive, technical feedback.
Why Apply for Gameplay Animators Jobs at Little Zoo Studio?
1. Absolute Remote Flexibility
Little Zoo Studio was built as a remote-first entity. We have the infrastructure, communication pipelines, and culture to ensure that our remote gameplay animators jobs feel as connected and supported as any traditional office role.
2. The “Keyframe First” Philosophy
Many studios today rely solely on raw motion capture. At Little Zoo Studio, we believe in the power of the hand-keyed animator. We want artists who can exaggerate, polish, and perfect movement to a level that technology cannot reach on its own.
3. High-Profile Projects
Joining our studio means adding some of the industry’s most exciting and visually stunning titles to your resume. We work with the biggest names in gaming to provide the specialized animation talent they need for their AAA releases.
4. Mentorship and Growth
Our Senior gameplay animators jobs are designed for leaders. You will have the chance to mentor mid-level talent, help shape the studio’s internal toolsets, and influence the animation style of entire projects.
Technical Focus: Animation Engineering
In these gameplay animators jobs, you are part artist and part engineer. Your animations must obey the “Logic of the Loop.”
Blending Mathematics: You will ensure that a “Run” animation transitions to a “Stop” using seamless interpolation curves, preventing “foot sliding” or jarring pops.
Combat Timing: Calculating the “Active Frames” ($\text{AF}$) of an attack to ensure it syncs with the game’s collision detection:
$$\text{Total Duration} = \text{Anticipation} + \text{Active Frames} + \text{Recovery}$$Spatial Consistency: Ensuring character scale and stride length remain consistent across varying terrain and movement speeds.
Application Instructions
To apply for our gameplay animators jobs, please submit the following:
A Focused Demo Reel: Showcase 3D gameplay animation (cycles, combat, reactions). Note: We are looking for hand-keyed work, not just mocap cleanup.
Resume/CV: Detailing your experience with Maya and game engines.
Breakdown: A text file or document explaining your specific contributions to each shot in your reel.
Little Zoo Studio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate the unique perspectives that a global, diverse workforce brings to our animation team.
To apply for this job please visit app.smartsheet.com.