Location: Cary, North Carolina

Epic Games is looking for a visionary Lead Animator to join our world-class Art & Animation department. This is a definitive opportunity to lead the creative direction of one of the most culturally significant titles in gaming history: Fortnite. If you have a mastery of character movement, a deep understanding of pop-culture rhythm, and the leadership experience to guide a high-performing team, we want to hear from you. Job Overview Company Name: Epic Games Product Focus: Fortnite Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent Location: Cary, North Carolina, United States Department: Art & Animation Primary Software: Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 5, ART Toolset Compensation & “Epic” Benefits At Epic Games we believe that world-class talent deserves world-class security. Our compensation philosophy is built to support a high quality of life, ensuring our team remains focused on innovation. Component Description Salary Range Competitive / Commensurate with Experience (Based on industry standards for Lead roles in NC) Healthcare 100% Premium Coverage for employees and dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision) Retirement 401k with a highly competitive company match Time Off Unlimited PTO, sick time, and company-wide paid breaks Wellness Modern Health access (free therapy/coaching) and Long Term Disability Recognition Paid Sabbatical after 7 years of employment Detailed Responsibilities The Lead Animator role at Epic Games is a multifaceted position that combines hands-on artistry with strategic team leadership. 1. Creative Oversight & Emote Development You will be the primary steward of Fortnite’s “Emote” library. This involves overseeing character-specific animations, ensuring that every dance, gesture, and movement aligns with the high-energy, stylized aesthetic of the game. You will use Maya and Epic’s proprietary ART tools to supervise the creation of key-framed and mocap-driven assets. 2. End-to-End Implementation Your role isn’t finished when the animation looks good in Maya. You will guide emotes through the entire pipeline: Initial Concepting: Brainstorming movements for original characters and global IP partners (music stars, film characters, etc.). Technical Integration: Implementing animations directly within the Unreal editor. Refinement: Polishing rhythm and acting to ensure “readability” in a fast-paced gameplay environment. 3. Leadership & Collaboration As a Lead Animator, you are responsible for the growth and output of the team. Interdisciplinary Sync: Collaborate with Character Artists, Riggers, and Designers to ensure technical feasibility. Vendor Management: Act as the creative point of contact for external vendor teams, ensuring their output matches Epic’s internal quality bar. Process Innovation: Constantly striving to “raise the bar” for engine and game development workflows. What We Are Looking For (Requirements) Epic Games is searching for a candidate who is not only a master of their craft but a leader who can inspire others. Portfolio Excellence: A professional animation reel demonstrating top-tier key-framed character and creature animations. We are looking for a deep understanding of weight, timing, and appeal. Software Mastery: Extensive experience with Maya and a strong command of gameplay systems within Unreal Engine. Artistic Instincts: An intuitive grasp of both realistic and highly stylized motions. You should be able to transition seamlessly between a gritty combat animation and a vibrant, rhythmic dance. Technical Versatility: Familiarity with the broader pipeline, including modeling, skinning, and rigging. Understanding how a rig affects animation is crucial. Mocap Experience: Proven ability to work with and clean up motion capture data to fit the Fortnite aesthetic. Leadership Track Record: You must have shipped at least one major title in a leadership capacity, proving you can handle the pressures of a live-service production cycle. The Epic Environment Our Vision Epic Games has grown from a small studio to a global entity with over 4,500 employees across 46 studios. We don’t just make games; we build the technology (Unreal Engine) that empowers the entire industry. Being “Epic” means being part of a team that strives to do right by our community, prioritizing user experience and creative bravery over the status quo. Culture of Inclusion Epic Games deeply value diverse teams and an inclusive culture. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, believing that the best games are made by teams that reflect the diversity of our global player base. The Location: Cary, NC Our Cary headquarters offers a high standard of living with a burgeoning tech scene, excellent schools, and proximity to the Research Triangle Park. It is an ideal hub for long-term career growth and personal stability. How to Apply If you are a passionate, solution-focused animator who thrives in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. Required Application Materials: Resume/CV: Highlighting your leadership experience and shipped titles. Animation Reel: Showing a variety of character movements (acting, locomotion, rhythmic/dance). Cover Letter: (Optional but encouraged) Tell us why you are passionate about the Fortnite universe. Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept unsolicited resumes from unauthorized third parties.

Lead Animator Job Overview Company: Epic Games, the global leader in game development and creator of Unreal Engine. Role: Lead Animator for Fortnite, specializing in the creation of iconic emotes, dances, and IP collaborations. Location: Cary, North Carolina (Epic HQ), offering a collaborative, world-class studio environment. Salary: Estimated range of $165,000 – $245,000 with 100% company-paid healthcare premiums. Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent position within the elite Art & Animation department. Core Tech: Mastery of Maya and Unreal Engine 5, utilizing the internal ART toolset and motion capture. Leadership: Overseeing the animation lifecycle from initial concept to final in-engine implementation and vendor management. Experience: Requires a shipped title in a leadership role and a reel featuring high-quality character/creature keyframing. Style Focus: Expert-level understanding of rhythm, acting, and stylized motion for global cosmetic content. Perks: Unlimited PTO, a 7-year paid sabbatical, and a robust 401k match in a “Best-in-Class” benefits package. Are you an elite creative leader with a passion for character performance, rhythm, and pop culture? Epic Games, the visionary creator of the Unreal Engine and the global sensation Fortnite, is searching for a Lead Animator to join our world-class Art & Animation department. This is not just one of many Senior Animator jobs; this is a leadership pinnacle where you will oversee the iconic emotes and dances that define the social fabric of modern gaming. Based in our headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, you will lead a team of high-caliber artists in crafting animations for a wide variety of global IP partners and Epic Original Content. If you have the rhythmic sensibilities of a choreographer, the technical mind of a game developer, and the leadership prowess of a creative director, we want to hear from you. *Note: Epic Games offers highly competitive compensation packages. Final salary is determined by experience, specialized skills, and portfolio quality. Epic is known for a robust “Total Rewards” philosophy. Why This Is the Industry’s Top Animator Job At Epic, we believe that talented, passionate people are the core of our success. When you take on an Animator job within our Art & Animation department, you are entering a collaborative environment that prioritizes creativity and community impact. The Epic Advantage: Cultural Impact: Your work will drive the visual style of Fortnite’s emotes—cultural touchstones that transcend the gaming industry. Unparalleled Benefits: Enjoy 100% paid health premiums, unlimited PTO, a generous 401k match, and a paid sabbatical every seven years. Cutting-Edge Tech: Work directly with the developers of Unreal Engine 5, using the most advanced animation tools available today. Global Collaboration: Lead internal artists and external vendor teams across a library of world-renowned IP and original characters. Detailed Job Responsibilities In this Animator job, you will act as a bridge between high-level artistic concepts and technical in-engine execution. 1. Creative Leadership & Emote Development Supervise Performance: Oversee the creation of character-specific animations, focusing on the timing, weight, and rhythm of dances and emotes. Concept to Final: Guide every animation from the initial concept phase through Maya keyframing to the final implementation in Unreal Engine. Brand Stewardship: Drive the evolving animation style of Fortnite, ensuring that every piece of cosmetic content feels “Epic.” 2. Technical Implementation & Tool Mastery UE5 Integration: Use the Unreal Editor and ART toolset to implement animations, ensuring they are optimized for a live-service environment. Mocap Pipeline: Lead the refinement of motion capture data, blending realistic movement with the stylized aesthetics that players love. Cross-Discipline Synergy: Collaborate with riggers, concept artists, and programmers to solve complex animation hurdles and innovate new gameplay systems. 3. Team Management & Mentorship Lead Talent: Supervise a growing team of animators, fostering a culture of innovation and high-performance excellence. Vendor Coordination: Manage external vendor teams to ensure their quality matches Epic’s world-class standards. Qualifications for the Lead Animator Job To land this prestigious Animator job, you must possess a blend of artistic brilliance and proven leadership history. Industry Experience: You must have shipped at least one major title in a leadership or supervisory capacity. Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Maya and Unreal Engine is required. Artistic Instincts: An exceptional understanding of the fundamentals of acting, rhythm, and stylized vs. realistic motion. The Reel: A professional animation reel showcasing elite-level key-framed character and creature performances. Supplementary Skills: Knowledge of modeling, skinning, and rigging is highly desirable to assist in R&D and pipeline optimization. Join the Team that Makes it Epic Epic Games spans 25 countries with over 4,500 employees globally. We are an equal opportunity employer that deeply values diversity and inclusive culture. This Animator job in Cary, NC, offers the chance to work at the heart of our operations, surrounded by the talent that builds the future of 3D content. Ready to apply for the most influential Animator job in gaming? Join Epic Games and help us build something legendary!