Animator (R&D Service Project, On-Site) at Steamroller Animation

Mount Dora, Florida, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

19 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

18 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Character Keyframe Animation, Facial Animation, Animation Principles, Autodesk Maya, Motion Capture, Cinematic Sequences, Problem-Solving, Anatomy Knowledge, Communication

Industry

Animation and Post-production

Description

About the role Steamroller Animation is looking for a talented Animator to join us for a high-priority Research and Development service project. This is a unique opportunity to solve creative puzzles and push the boundaries of character movement within a dedicated R&D environment. Project Details This is a contract position (1099 status) for a project that is purely R&D in nature. Because this is a service project focused on internal development, there will be no finished product shared publicly. The project is under a very restrictive NDA, requiring this role to be strictly in-house at our studio. Candidates must be available to work on-site full-time in our studio —located in Mount Dora, FLorida—Monday through Friday. The project is estimated to last 5 to 7 months, starting in early April. Core Focus We are seeking character keyframe animators with a profound understanding of animation principles. All candidates must have demonstrated experience with facial animation, specifically showcasing strong appeal and clear graphic shapes. Responsibilities Collaborate with the animation team on intermediate to complex tasks across various styles. Consistently deliver high-quality animation for keyframe, motion capture, and/or cinematic sequences. Work closely with animation directors and leads to meet artistic goals and project requirements. Communicate effectively with production regarding performance ideas, deadlines, and technical concerns. Participate in dailies, rounds, and team reviews to implement feedback and enhance overall quality. Maintain professional and open communication regarding creative direction and changes. Utilize necessary production tools proficiently to meet all project requirements. Required Qualifications Minimum of two years of production experience in a professional studio environment. Proficiency in Autodesk Maya. Strong understanding of character keyframe animation and fundamental principles. Extensive experience with facial animation featuring strong appeal and graphic shapes. Ability to utilize research and reference effectively to inform animation tasks. Solid knowledge of human and animal anatomy. Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn both independently and with the team. Ability to communicate effectively in English. Nice to Haves Experience with 2D animation and 2D animation principles. Experience interfacing directly with clients. Experience with motion capture cleanup and working with mocap data.

Responsibilities

The animator will collaborate with the team to deliver high-quality keyframe, motion capture, and/or cinematic animation sequences while meeting artistic goals set by directors and leads. Responsibilities also include participating in reviews to implement feedback and communicating performance ideas and technical concerns to production.