Animation Lead

Azra Games is recapturing the childhood thrill of storytelling with your entire toy box for modern AAA gaming. We are dedicated to one genre, role-playing games, and led by veteran designer Mark Otero (Zero-to-one director of Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, EA’s most successful mobile game of all time, with $1.5B lifetime revenue). Azra has assembled an expert team with decades of experience building blockbuster games. Our debut release, Legions & Legends, will be Mark’s ninth RPG. And his best. Azra Games believes in harnessing the power of technology, with a focus on generative AI, to radically disrupt & transform game development.

Animation Lead

Azra Games is 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.
Ideally able to work locally in the Sacramento area, or at least on the West Coast of the United States

The perks of working at Azra:

Competitive salary, equity
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 Sacramento, CA, and/or hybrid, and anything in between.
Occasional catered lunches and dinners
Office social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projects.
A generous technology budget to provide the best gear you need to be your most productive and happy self.
A packed snack room and loaded fridge
Dedicated Game Room for "Market Research" 😏
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: $127000 - $190,500. 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.