Job Description
This job might no longer be available.
Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Would you like to work on something comedic and action-packed with lighthearted, whimsical characters? Do you think a lot about how well-crafted animations create satisfying feedback for players, how smoothly operating teams sustain animators’ happiness, or how the right smear frame feels like magic?
As the Senior Animation Lead on an Unannounced Incubation Project, you’ll bring iconic characters to life from prototype through production for a completely new world at Bungie. Your ability to lead and inspire a team to craft readable, expressive animation content will delight players and contribute to the best-in-class action experience that defines all Bungie games.
As a member of our incubation art team, you’ll balance craft expertise with a player-first mindset and willingness to contribute beyond your role to improve player experience wherever necessary. Your understanding of design and technical constraints will enable you to deliver functional and responsive systems that support broad animation content without an established pipeline during prototyping. Most importantly, you will work with a fun, dedicated, cross-discipline team united around our mission to create a positive impact in people’s lives as we bring a new Bungie world to life.
We look for candidates who value joining a cohesive, supportive team with a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and viewpoints.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with art leadership to define visual goals for animation content
- Offer constructive feedback & clear direction during animation content reviews
- Build and lead an inspired, united team of animators through all phases of production
- Manage, mentor, and support team members with a culture of safe creative collaboration
- Own runtime animation systems for all characters until the team grows to support a full-time technical animation role
- Foster the development of a unique animation style with personality and charm that maintains action gameplay clarity in alignment with Design
- Partner with Production on task estimates and deliverables to maintain craft quality and team health while minimizing risk
- Work closely with Tech Art and Engineering to build flexible & efficient animation workflows
- Establish and document animation content expectations + best practices
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Experience working as an Animation Lead on shipped games with significant complexity and/or high animation fidelity
- Ability to keyframe stylized gameplay animation, as shown by examples of professional or personal work
- Proven eye for achieving gameplay clarity through animation content, especially for action games
- An appreciation for appealing squash & stretch, smear frames, multiples
- Expert knowledge of Maya character animation workflows
- Exceptional ability to problem-solve and drive creative solutions despite ambiguity
- Task driven, self-motivated, and proactive
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Embrace “we” culture in addition to being an outstanding collaborator and communicator
- High social intelligence, great interpersonal skills, and empathy for creative teams
- Proficiency establishing runtime animation systems that prioritize responsive feedback
- Willingness to manage and mentor the animators on your team
- Proven ability to lead and mentor a group of art leads
NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS
- Experience with development using Unreal Engine
- Familiarity with the competitive gaming landscape
- Experience working on a live game (“game as a service”)
Bungie full-time (non-contract) employees in the U.S. also receive:
- 20 days of accrued time-off in the form of PTO and sabbatical days, depending on the level of the position
- 10 paid Floating Days annually, prorated in the first year of employment based on start date
- 10 paid Bungie-observed holidays annually
- One hour of Paid Sick Time (PST) for every 30 hours worked
Contract and International FTE employees receive competitive benefits through their relevant contracting agency.
Bellevue Pay Range
$173,000 — $195,000 USD
So you don’t meet every requirement listed in this job description? Do you think your experience level is not where it needs to be? Studies show that members of certain underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Bungie is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. If you’re interested in this position but your past experience doesn’t line up perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we want you to apply anyway. The right role for you may be right around the corner!
Most Bungie full-time employees will adopt a digital first approach allowing remote work in Bungie approved locations (outside of positions identified as 100% onsite in Bellevue/Seattle, or individuals preferring a hybrid/flex environment). Prospective full-time employees who are located outside of a Bungie approved state or province will need to establish residency in an approved state or province within 45 days of their start date. Contractors will follow a digital first approach adhering to the location guidelines agreed upon by our third-party employer/vendor and Bungie. Bungie’s remote policy is subject to change at the company’s discretion.