Rezzil is hiring Mid-Level Animator, UK 2026

Job Overview

• Company Name: Rezzil
• Job Title: Animator (Mid-Level)
• Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent
• Location: Jordan Street, Manchester M15 4PY, United Kingdom
• Salary Range: Competitive (Based on experience & UK market standards)
• Core Software: Autodesk Maya, Unity, and/or Unreal Engine
• Sector: Sports Technology, VR, and Real-Time Simulation

Executive Position Summary

Rezzil is looking for a technically-minded and artistically-driven Mid-Level Real-Time Animator to join our production team in Manchester. Rezzil is at the forefront of sports technology and virtual reality, and this role is critical in delivering high-quality character performances across our elite-level products. You will be responsible for the end-to-end animation lifecycle—from initial expressive keyframing and motion capture (mocap) refinement to final, high-performance implementation within Unity or Unreal Engine.

In this position, you will work directly alongside our Senior Animator and cross-functional technical teams to balance strong artistry with the practical constraints of real-time sports simulations, VR, and broadcast visualizations. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who enjoys the challenge of making digital athletes move with the precision and weight required for professional-grade software.

The Role & Opportunity at Rezzil

As a Mid-Level Animator at Rezzil, you occupy a critical space in our production pipeline. We don’t just create visuals; we build hyper-realistic training and fan engagement tools used by the world’s biggest sports organizations. This role requires a “hands-on” approach where you take ownership of character performance from the first pose to the final engine integration.

You will be tasked with balancing the artistic “appeal” of a character with the rigorous “technical constraints” of a real-time engine. Whether ensuring a footballer’s foot-locking is perfect for a 1:1 VR training drill or refining the blend trees for complex locomotion, your work directly impacts the athlete’s immersion and the data-driven quality of our products.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Animation Creation & Performance

• Full-Spectrum Animation: Generate high-quality character animations for diverse real-time applications, including core locomotion (running, pivoting, striking) and bespoke cinematic moments.

• Keyframing Excellence: Deliver strong keyframed performances that demonstrate a deep understanding of human physics, weight, and timing.

• Consistency & Quality: Collaborate with the Senior Animator to ensure all animations remain “on model” and consistent across various athlete rigs and features.

2. Data Refinement & Mocap Integration

• Mocap Cleanup: Elevate raw motion capture data to production standards by cleaning noise, refining arcs, ensuring solid contact, and adjusting spacing for better readability.

• Performance Enhancement: Edit and enhance performance data to ensure the movement meets the high-fidelity standards required for elite sports analysis.

3. In-Engine Implementation & Technical Collaboration

• Engine Integration: You will be responsible for importing, testing, and iterating on your animation content within Unity and/or Unreal Engine.

• Runtime Setup: Collaborate with Technical Artists and Engineers to build and maintain efficient runtime setups (state machines, blend trees, and animation blueprints).

• Troubleshooting: Actively solve technical hurdles, such as retargeting issues, rig/skinning glitches, and optimizing animation data for performance budgets.

4. Pipeline & Documentation

• Workflow Optimization: Contribute to the evolution of the Rezzil animation pipeline by identifying bottlenecks and suggesting creative improvements.

• Best Practices: Maintain clear documentation for workflows to ensure speed, consistency, and quality across the team.

Requirements & Qualifications

Essential (Must-Have)

• Real-Time Experience: Proven track record animating characters for real-time applications (Games, VR, Simulation, or Broadcast).

• Maya Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Autodesk Maya, focusing on the graph editor, constraints, export discipline, and scene hygiene.

• Engine Knowledge: Practical experience implementing animation within Unity or Unreal; the ability to iterate inside the engine is key.

• Foundational Artistry: Strong keyframing fundamentals, specifically regarding weight, timing, spacing, silhouette, and performance clarity.

• Mocap Skills: Confident cleaning and editing mocap/performance data to a high standard.

Desirable (Nice-to-Have)

• Advanced Systems: Familiarity with IK/FK blending, additive layers, and procedural assists.

• VR Specialized Knowledge: Understanding the unique requirements of VR animation (scale, presence, and first-person readability).

• Technical Scripting: Exposure to Python or MEL to improve iteration speed.

• Shipped Titles: Experience working on shipped titles or live-service products.

How You Work

At Rezzil, we value a collaborative and agile mindset:

• Collaborative: You enjoy working across disciplines (Design, Engineering, Product) to find the best solutions.

• Adaptive: You can shift your approach as priorities evolve in a fast-paced tech environment.

• Precision-Oriented: You have a keen eye for the technical details that make an athlete’s movement look and feel authentic.

Location & Benefits

Located in the heart of Manchester’s creative district (M15 4PY), Rezzil offers an innovative and supportive environment:

• Location: Jordan Street, surrounded by Manchester’s thriving tech and creative community.

• Salary: A competitive salary package based on your professional background and portfolio.

• Growth: The chance to work at the cutting edge of sports technology with direct mentorship from industry experts.

Application Instructions

To apply, please provide:

1. A Showreel: Highlighting real-time character animation and/or mocap cleanup.

2. Resume/CV: Detailing your experience with Maya and Game Engines.

3. Breakdown: A brief description of your specific role in each piece shown in your reel.