HIRING Cinematic Animator – DICE Stockholm

Cinematic Animator Job Overview

Company Overview

Electronic Arts (EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment, creating next-level experiences that inspire millions of fans across the globe. At EA, creativity thrives where new perspectives are invited and ideas matter. We are more than a developer; we are a community that makes play happen.

DICE, located in the heart of Stockholm, is a creative studio defined by its commitment to technical excellence and inclusive collaboration. DICE is the stewards of the Battlefield legacy, and our mission is to push the boundaries of digital art and technology. Our team is fueled by passion, driving innovation that makes a tangible difference for our players. At DICE, we offer an inclusive space where you can be yourself, grow professionally, and contribute to a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the gaming landscape.

Role Overview

DICE is seeking an experienced Cinematic Animator who specializes in the intersection of high-fidelity character performance and seamless gameplay integration. As a member of the Cinematic Animation Department, you will work at the forefront of narrative delivery, creating AAA-quality cinematics, in-game presentations, and narrative-driven gameplay moments.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert in motion and performance capture, capable of navigating complex character scenes with technical precision and artistic flair. You will be expected to collaborate deeply with the Game Design and Narrative teams to ensure that our storytelling is not just watched, but felt. This role requires a sophisticated understanding of animation principles and a drive to master the internal tools that make DICE a leader in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Performance & Motion Authoring

• Mocap Integration: High-level authoring and refinement of motion-capture and performance-capture data. You will take raw data and elevate it to meet the exacting standards of a DICE production.

• Character Artistry: Create complex, multi-character scenes that demonstrate an expert understanding of weight, silhouette, and emotional nuance.

• Technical Excellence: Consistently apply core animation principles—squash and stretch, anticipation, and timing—to ensure all character movements feel grounded and authentic within the Battlefield universe.

Cinematic Design & Narrative

• Staging and Composition: Apply a solid understanding of cinematic language, including camera framing, lens choice, and shot composition, to direct the player’s eye and enhance narrative impact.

• Seamless Transitions: Work closely with the Design department to create “seamless” transitions where gameplay flows naturally into cinematics and back again, maintaining immersion without breaking the player’s experience.

• In-Game Storytelling: Develop scripted narrative moments that occur during active gameplay, ensuring high-quality animation is maintained even outside of traditional cutscenes.

Production Collaboration

• Mocap Preparation: Assist in the preparation of motion-capture shoots, including script breakdown, asset readiness, and on-set performance assessment to ensure the data captured meets technical and creative requirements.

• Iterative Development: Actively participate in the “fail fast, learn fast” culture by sharing work-in-progress early and often, seeking peer feedback to elevate the collective quality of the project.

• Pipeline Contribution: Learn and contribute to the evolution of DICE’s internal workflows, providing insights on how to improve animation technology and implementation efficiency.

Qualifications & Technical Skills

Professional Experience

• Industry Tenure: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in animation, with a documented focus on cinematics and narrative-driven gameplay.

• AAA Pedigree: A background in delivering high-fidelity assets for major interactive titles or high-end film/TV projects.

• Portfolio Excellence: A demo reel that showcases expert-level performance capture work, facial animation, and a keen eye for cinematic staging.

Technical Skill Set

• Expert Tool Knowledge: Mastery of Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder is mandatory. You should be comfortable moving fluidly between these packages for different stages of the animation pipeline.

• Engine Implementation: Advanced experience with real-time engine implementation. While Frostbite experience is highly valued, proficiency in Unreal Engine, Unity, or Godot is expected.

• Facial Animation: Experience in multi-character scenes with complex facial animation and lip-syncing is considered a significant advantage.

• Self-Directed Learning: A proven ability to learn proprietary software and complex technical pipelines quickly and independently.

Leadership & Cultural Expectations

While this is a production-focused role, we expect our experienced animators to act as cultural pillars within the studio:

• Mentorship: Willingness to share knowledge and best practices with junior members of the animation team.

• Proactive Problem Solving: A self-motivated approach to identifying bottlenecks and proposing creative solutions.

• Collaborative Spirit: The ability to work across disciplines (Design, Narrative, Tech Art) to find the best solution for the game, putting the player experience first.

Benefits and Perks

DICE and Electronic Arts are committed to providing a world-class employee experience:

• Hybrid Work Model: A flexible approach that balances the creative energy of our Stockholm studio with the focus of remote work.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive healthcare coverage, mental health resources, and fitness reimbursements.

• Relocation Assistance: For qualified candidates, we offer comprehensive support to help you and your family transition to life in Stockholm.

• Innovation Time: Opportunities to explore new tech and workflows during dedicated R&D periods.

• Community: A diverse, international workplace where we celebrate our differences and share a common love for gaming.

Application Process

1. Online Application: Submit your CV and a link to your portfolio/reel.

2. Portfolio Review: Our Cinematic Animation Director will evaluate your work for technical skill and artistic alignment with the DICE style.

3. Initial Interview: A conversation with our recruitment team to discuss your experience and career goals.

4. Technical Interview: A deep-dive session with senior animators to discuss your workflow, tool knowledge, and problem-solving approach.

5. Team Fit Interview: A final round to meet the broader team and discuss DICE’s culture and the future of the Battlefield franchise.