Welcome to Mighty Yeti Studios, a creator-owned powerhouse in the indie animation space. We are dedicated to crafting high-quality kids and family entertainment that sparks imagination and brings joy to audiences worldwide. As we scale our production for our latest original animated series, we are looking for a visionary 3D Animator to join our remote creative team.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the role, the expectations, and the creative environment you will be stepping into.

Mighty Yeti Studios isn’t just a production house; we are a collective of storytellers. We believe that animation for children should be as sophisticated and emotionally resonant as any other medium. Our production pipeline is lean, agile, and built on the foundation of creative autonomy. As an independent contractor, you aren’t just a “cog in the machine”—you are a key contributor to the soul of our characters.

Core Responsibilities: Bringing the Yeti to Life

Your primary mission is to translate scripts and storyboards into living, breathing performances. Mighty Yeti Studios is looking for an animator who understands that “movement” and “performance” are not the same thing.

• Character Performance & Storytelling: You will create compelling character animations in Autodesk Maya that align strictly with the creative vision of our showrunners. This involves deep-diving into the subtext of a scene—is the character hesitant? Over-excited? Hiding a secret? Your animation must tell that story.
• Technical Pipeline Integration: Beyond the creative “soul,” you will handle the technical “skeleton.” You are responsible for bringing animations into Unreal Engine, utilizing Sequencer to ensure that the transition from Maya to the final render engine is seamless and maintains the integrity of the performance.
• Collaborative Iteration: You will work in a tight loop with the Animation Director and the Rigging team. This includes providing critical feedback on character rigs—identifying where a mesh might be pulling or where an IK/FK switch could be improved to facilitate better movement.
• Asset Management: You will assist in the development of the studio’s internal animation libraries. This includes building out “Pose Libraries” and “Action Cycles” (Walks, Runs, Idles) that ensure consistency across different episodes and allow for faster iteration during high-intensity production phases.
• Peer Review & Growth: Participation in dailies and brainstorming sessions is mandatory. We value “plussing”—the Disney-pioneered concept of taking an idea and making it better through constructive, collaborative feedback.

Technical Requirements for 3D Animator job

To thrive in this role, you must possess a blend of classical animation knowledge and modern engine proficiency.

• The 12 Principles: You must have a masterful grasp of the 12 principles of animation (Squash and Stretch, Anticipation, Staging, etc.). We look for animators who can use these principles to create fluid, believable movements rather than “floaty” or “robotic” sequences.
• Maya Expert: A minimum of 3+ years of professional experience in Maya is required. You should be comfortable with complex hierarchies, Graph Editor optimization, and specialized animation tools.
• Unreal Engine Mastery: We are pushing the boundaries of real-time rendering. You must be proficient in Unreal Engine, specifically regarding the Animation Blueprints and Sequencer. If you have experience with motion capture (MoCap) data integration and cleaning that data within Maya for Unreal export, you will be at a significant advantage.
• Problem-Solving: The indie pipeline can be unpredictable. You need the technical chops to troubleshoot “pops” in your animation, gimbal lock issues, or export errors without needing constant supervision.

Cultural Fit & “The Indie Spirit”

Mighty Yeti Studios operates as a remote, decentralized team. This requires a specific mindset:

1. Self-Driven: You don’t wait for a nudge. You manage your own deadlines and communicate roadblocks early.
2. Passionate about Kids’ Content: We want people who actually enjoy the genre. Understanding the pacing and humor that resonates with children and families is vital.
3. Positive Communication: Since we work remotely, clarity in Slack, Zoom, and Discord is essential. A “can-do” attitude during tight deadlines makes all the difference.

While not strictly required, the following will move your application to the top of the pile:

• Blender Familiarity: As the industry shifts, we appreciate artists who are tool-agnostic.
• Game Development Background: If you’ve worked on titles that require “snappy” and responsive animation, those skills translate beautifully to our stylized series.
• Portfolio Excellence: We are looking for a reel that shows acting. Don’t just show us a walk cycle; show us a character walking while they are sad, or a character reacting to a surprise.

Working at Mighty Yeti: The Independent Contractor Model

This is a Freelance/Part-Time Independent Contractor position. What does this mean for you?

• Flexibility: You set your own hours, provided you attend scheduled meetings and hit your weekly milestones.
• Remote Freedom: Work from your home studio, a co-working space, or a mountain cabin—as long as you have a stable internet connection and a machine capable of handling high-end Maya scenes and Unreal Engine projects.
• Project-Based Growth: While this starts as part-time, there is significant potential for long-term collaboration as our series expands into further seasons and spin-off media.