Lead Animator at Ubisoft, United Kingdom

Are you a veteran animator with a tactical mind and a passion for realism? Ubisoft, a global titan in the gaming industry, is seeking a Lead Animator to join our Newcastle-based studio. This is your chance to leave an indelible mark on the Rainbow Six franchise, a cornerstone of tactical shooters and a world-class AAA brand.

At Ubisoft, we don’t just build games; we create “the unknown.” As a Lead Animator, you will be the guardian of movement, the architect of immersion, and the mentor to an international team of world-class artists. If you thrive on the challenge of realistic character interaction and high-stakes gameplay, your journey starts here.

Lead Animator Job Overview

About Ubisoft Newcastle

Ubisoft Newcastle is a vital part of the Ubisoft global network. Our studio culture is built on the pillars of collaboration, creativity, and wellbeing. We believe that being on-site together fosters a vibrant environment where innovation happens in the hallway as much as at the desk. By joining us, you are joining a studio recognized as a “Gold Employer” in the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index, dedicated to the mental health and professional growth of our people.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

As the Lead Animator for Rainbow Six, your role is a dual-track mission: driving the technical quality of the animation and steering the growth of your team.

1. Strategic Leadership & Team Management

You will lead an international team of highly skilled animators. This isn’t just about managing schedules; it’s about:

• Delegation: Identifying the strengths of your team members and assigning tasks that benefit both the project and their personal growth.
• Communication: Acting as the vital link between the Creative Director, Production, and your animation team.
• Mentorship: Actively listening to colleagues, encouraging new ideas, and fostering a “solution-first” culture where every animator feels empowered to innovate.

2. Artistic Direction & Fidelity

Rainbow Six is synonymous with tactical realism. You will be accountable for:

• Immersive Movement: Ensuring character movement is grounded in the project’s narrative and realistic design.
• 1st & 3rd Person Synergy: Overseeing the complex relationship between first-person weapon handling and third-person character representation to ensure seamless gameplay.
• Quality Assurance: Guiding the team through project tasks that refine the player experience, ensuring every reload, rappel, and transition is of AAA calibre.

3. Hands-On Production

Despite your leadership status, you remain an artist at heart. You will:

• Asset Creation: Stay involved in the creation of high-quality animation assets.
• Pipeline Optimization: Work with proprietary/in-house engines to push the boundaries of what our animation systems can achieve.
• Motion Capture (mocap): Oversee and refine mocap data, blending it with hand-keyed animations to achieve peak authenticity.

Candidate Requirements

We are looking for a leader who leads by example. Your portfolio should speak as loudly as your management skills.

• Proven Leadership: Experience mentoring or leading a team in a game development environment.

• Realistic Animation Style: A showreel that demonstrates a mastery of realistic human movement. We are specifically looking for high-quality Keyframing and Motion Capture refinement.

• Technical Expertise: * Mastery of MotionBuilder.

  • Deep understanding of 1st Person and 3rd Person animation systems.

  • Experience with the full development life-cycle of a AAA title.

• Adaptability: The ability to handle challenging production situations with grace and organizational excellence.

• Narrative Focus: An understanding of how animation tells a story and communicates a character’s intent through movement.

What Ubisoft Provides

We put our people first. Our benefits package is designed to support your life, your health, and your passion for gaming:

Health & Balance

• Core Hours & Shutdowns: Flexible core hours to manage your day, 25 days of annual leave, and a dedicated Christmas shutdown.

• Work From Anywhere: A unique perk allowing you to work from anywhere in the EU for up to four weeks per year.

• Comprehensive Insurance: Life insurance, income protection, and private healthcare.

Professional & Personal Growth

• Perpetual Learning: Generous resources committed to your professional development.

• Mental Health: Access to our inclusive Wellbeing Champions programme and resources as part of our partnership with Safe in Our World.

• Community: Paid volunteering days and relocation support to help you settle into the vibrant Newcastle scene.

Fun & Culture

• Gaming Perks: Free Ubisoft games, regular studio celebrations, and an annual well-being allowance.

• The Newcastle Lifestyle: Newcastle is a hub of culture, history, and affordable living, making it one of the UK’s most attractive cities for developers.

Why the Rainbow Six Brand?

Rainbow Six is more than just a game; it is a legacy. Joining this project means contributing to one of the industry’s most respected tactical series. You will be helping to shape a visual identity that millions of players interact with every single day.