Principal Animator

Job Description

Principal Animator (Core Gameplay)

Cliffhanger Games is a newly formed Seattle Studio focusing on blockbuster action-adventure games and pioneering next-generation emergent storytelling beginning with Marvel's Black Panther. Join us to pursue your passion to build unique groundbreaking, and inclusive games that empower players to create incredible stories of heroic adventure. Become a foundational part of an ambitious, respectful and diverse team as we are looking for a Principal Animator to join our team.

The Principal Animator will work with a team of combat and 3C designers, writers, artists, animators, and engineers in the creation of compelling player and NPC movement and combat animation content. The Principal Animator is an individual contributor role that creates industry leading animation from previsualization, prototype, to final implementation. The animation content created enhances the moment-to-moment gameplay combat experience and character personality while simultaneously deepening character relationships and world story. Reporting to the Senior Animation Director, the Principal Animator will help set the quality bar and best practices for character movement and the overall combat experience.

You have a passion for the study of the mechanics of human behavior and movement. You are knowledgeable of various forms of martial arts with an ability to apply that knowledge in creation of a compelling combat experience. The Principal Animator will collaborate closely with artists, designers, and engineers to achieve a seamless integration of animated content into a compelling gameplay experience. The Principal Animator will combine foundational animation skills, technical knowledge, effective cross discipline collaboration to breathe life into the characters on screen.

Responsibilities
• Research and implement new and innovative systems and concepts to fulfill pre-visualization objectives.
• Through animation mastery and demonstration, create and deliver animation content from prototype to final quality that serves as an excellence benchmark and inspiration for the team.
• Through competitive analysis and research, present opportunities to improve workflows to increase animation quality and efficiency
• Partner with Senior Animation Director, combat and 3C's team, and key stakeholders in the development of mocap shot list and provide mocap direction when applicable.
• Work in tandem with Senior Animation Director to proactively seek advances in mocap data manipulation techniques through evaluating new software features and tool advances that increase animation output and efficiency.
• Through establishing the quality bar for studio animations, mentor and nurture the career development of the studio's animation team.
• Work with the Senior Animation Director and Technical Art and Engineering Teams in the identification and maintenance of engine technology requirements and performance metrics needed to meet presentation product goals.

Qualifications
• Minimum 10 years' experience in the games industry. 4+ years as a Principal Animator or equivalent.

We encourage you to apply, even if you don't match every qualification listed above. Let us know why this role appeals to you, why you will be great, what unique perspectives you will bring, and which requirements will challenge you to grow.

Ceci ne s'applique pas au Québec.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these locations. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the range and benefits for your specific location.

EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Pay offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.

BASE SALARY RANGES
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. Sacramento):

º $170,500 - $259,300 USD Annually
• New York (depending on location e.g. Manhattan vs. Buffalo):

º $167,300 - $259,300 USD Annually
• Jersey City, NJ :

º $202,600 - $259,300 USD Annually
• Colorado (depending on location e.g. Denver vs. Colorado Springs):

º $180,100 - $237,200 USD Annually
• Washington (depending on location e.g. Seattle vs. Spokane):

º $167,300 - $238,500 USD Annually
• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria):

º $151,800 - $208,900 CAN Annually

Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. For British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gm0o8x-3-144-86-138-42 in your application.