Principal/Lead Animator - Azra Games

Azra Games is expanding to Austin, Texas, bringing our passion for creating immersive and unforgettable RPG experiences to a new creative hub. Led by veteran game designer Mark Otero—the visionary behind Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, EA's most successful mobile game with over $1.5 billion in lifetime revenue—Azra Games is building a top-tier team in Austin. If you're eager to help shape the future of role-playing games, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a Senior Animator that is passionate about bringing a wide range of characters to life through high-quality, believable, and appealing movement and performances, with a strong focus on gameplay animation. Join us in our drive to push quality to the next level for a AAA collectibles & combat open world RPG based on an original IP, built in the Unity game engine.

Responsibilities:

• Contributes to defining the style and bar for animation on the project through the delivery of high quality animation (both keyframed and mocap based) that serves as a foundation, guide, and inspiration for other animators contributing to the project
• Proactively and effectively collaborates with discipline partners, such as Design, Tech Art, Characters and Engineering, to define and help ensure delivery of the animation direction on the project while being efficient, technically sound - and, most importantly, fun to watch and play!
• Works closely, and communicates effectively with, the Animation Director and Production Teams to identify animation assets needed for characters and assets
• Maintains a solid understanding of tools, and continues to help in the development of the animation pipeline through direct feedback and partnership with the Tech Art and Engineering teams
• Works with Animation Director, Tech Animation, and Engineering to prototype animation systems, state machines, and blend trees
• Provides support and guidance to other animators on the project, internal and external
• Actively stays engaged with the latest animation tools, technologies, and techniques to help shape the animation pipelines
• Participate in playtesting and providing "hands on" animation feedback as the project progresses

Qualifications:

• 6+ years' experience in the games industry as an artist, or equivalent work in a related field, with at least one title shipped as a Senior Animator
• Experience with game animation implementation into engine, preferably Unity
• Self-motivated, strong work ethic, and able to work independently
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work and inspire in a team environment
• Creativity in problem-solving and the ability to think outside of the established solutions
• Strong technical problem solving skills
• Expert skills in discipline related software - Maya, Photoshop, etc.
  

The perks of working at Azra:

• Competitive salary
• Platinum healthcare plan for you and your family paid for by Azra Games. Including health, vision, and dental!
• Parental leave
• Unlimited paid time off
• Work that fits your lifestyle – Work from our studio office in Austin,TX, and/or hybrid, and anything in between
• Occasional catered lunches and dinners
• Office social events including happy hours and parties
• A generous technology budget to provide the best gear you need to be your most productive and happy self
• An authentic office environment where you get to be YOU

Azra Games is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Azra Games is an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome and employee differences are celebrated.

Base Salary Range: $137,901 - $190,130. The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.