Mid Gameplay Animator at Skydance Games, Austin

Skydance Games, a premier division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
, is currently seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Gameplay Animator to join our elite development team. This role is central to our mission of crafting the next generation of AAA single-player, story-driven action-adventure titles. As we continue to expand the horizons of interactive entertainment—highlighted by our upcoming project, Marvel 1943:
Rise of Hydra—we are looking for a creative powerhouse who can blend technical precision with artistic flair.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the role, the company culture, and the specific requirements for this position.

Category
Details

Company Name
Skydance Games (Paramount, a Skydance Corporation)

Job Title
Gameplay Animator

Employment Type Full-Time

Primary Locations Santa Monica (LA), Austin (TX), Seattle (WA)

Remote Status Remote Eligible / Hybrid Options Available

Salary Range (LA) $85,000 – $100,000 (Base salary; excludes bonuses/benefits)

Core Engine Unreal Engine

Project Focus AAA Single-Player Story-Driven Action-Adventure

Skydance Games is not just a development studio; it is an innovation hub where technology meets world-class storytelling. As a division of the newly unified Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
, we occupy a unique space in the industry, bridging the gap between cinematic excellence and interactive immersion. Our studio culture is built on the pillars of creativity, collaboration, and trust
.

We believe that the best games are born when talented individuals are empowered to take ownership of their work. We don’t just follow industry trends; we aim to set them. Whether we are working on iconic global franchises like Marvel or developing original intellectual properties, our goal remains the same: to create “event-level” entertainment that resonates with fans on a global scale.

As a Gameplay Animator at Skydance, you will be part of a lean, high-impact team. Because our animation department is intentionally kept small and agile, your individual contributions will have a visible and significant impact on the final product. You aren’t just a cog in a machine; you are an architect of player experience.

• Motion Capture Editing & Tuning: You will spend your days in the “trenches” of animation, taking raw motion capture data and refining it until it feels weightful, responsive, and aesthetically stunning.
• Rapid Prototyping: Speed is essential in game development. You will be responsible for creating hand-keyed placeholder animations to test new mechanics quickly, ensuring the “feel” of the game is right before moving to high-fidelity production.
• Enhancing Content: We look for animators who can “plus up” their work. This means taking standard mo-cap and injecting that extra 10% of “super” energy—exaggerating silhouettes, sharpening timing, and ensuring the character feels heroic and powerful.
• Cross-Discipline
  
  Collaboration:
  
  You will act as a bridge between Engineering and Design
  . You will help devise and implement animation systems, ensuring that the artistic vision is technically feasible and the gameplay mechanics are fluid.
• Technical Implementation: You will be deeply involved in the Unreal Engine ecosystem, working with advanced systems like Motion Matching and Motion Warping to ensure characters navigate the world realistically.
• Narrative Alignment: Working closely with the Animation Director, you will ensure that every punch, jump, and idle stance aligns with the narrative tone and the specific personality of the characters.

We are searching for a candidate who possesses a rare mix of technical “under-the-hood” knowledge and high-level artistic sensibility.

• Professional Tenure: A minimum of 3+ years of professional experience specifically within gameplay animation. We are looking for someone who understands the nuances of how a character moves in a 3D space.
• Proven Track Record: You must have shipped at least one AAA title in a gameplay‑centric role. You understand the rigors of a full production cycle,…