Senior Gameplay Animator CD Projekt RED, Boston

At CD PROJEKT RED
, our mission is to create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs that go straight to the hearts of gamers. Following the success of Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty, we are looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a specialized focus on Locomotion to join our Boston hub.

As a key individual contributor for Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion), you will be the architect of movement. From the subtle weight of a casual stroll through Night City to the explosive, cybernetically-enhanced agility of high‑octane combat, you will define how players and NPCs traverse our world. Your goal is to merge artistic expression with technical precision, ensuring that every step taken in our game feels responsive, believable, and grounded in the cutting‑edge physics of the Cyberpunk universe.

Category Details

Company Name
CD PROJEKT RED

Project Code Name
Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion)

Position Title
Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Employment Type

Full‑time

Work Model
Hybrid / In‑Office

Location
Boston, MA, United States

Annual Salary Range
$95,000 – $174,000 USD

Final date to receive applications
July 30, 2026

Reporting to the Animation Lead, you will work at the intersection of Art, Design, Technical Animation, and Engineering
. This role requires a hands‑on expert who can take a movement concept from previsualization all the way through to final in‑engine implementation. You will set the quality bar for locomotion, advocating for new techniques and workflows that push the boundaries of real‑time character behavior.

• Drive Locomotion Quality:
  Take ownership of the look and feel of player and NPC movement across all gameplay states and environmental contexts.
• Cross-Disciplinary
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner daily with a diverse team to define gameplay goals, ensuring that animation content supports core gameplay pillars and the 3
  
  Cs (Character, Controls, Camera).
• Prototyping & Previs:
  Create high-fidelity previsualizations to communicate movement intent and assist in the early development of gameplay features.
• Multi-Method Animation:
  Produce world‑class movement using a blend of hand‑keyed animation, procedurally generated systems, and motion capture techniques.
• In-Engine Implementation:
  Iterate directly within Unreal Engine to ensure that locomotion systems (including blend spaces and state machines) feel polished and reactive.
• Motion Capture Direction:
  Curate shot lists and provide performance direction on‑stage, ensuring that the raw data captures the weight and physics required for believable locomotion.
• Innovation & Research:
  Advocate for and integrate evolving techniques, such as Motion Matching
  , to improve animation efficiency and fidelity.
• Mentorship:
  Provide inspiration and technical guidance to early‑career animators, fostering a culture of excellence through feedback and leading by example.

We are seeking a specialist who understands that “good” locomotion isn’t just about pretty frames—it’s about how the game feels in the player’s hands.

• Professional
  
  Experience:
  
  5+ years of experience in gameplay animation development with a significant portfolio focused on player locomotion.
• AAA Track Record:
  Must have contributed to at least one shipped title with deep, complex 3
  
  Cs mechanics.
• Unreal Engine Mastery:
  Extensive experience with Animation Blueprints
  , state machines, animation montages, and blend spaces. Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime animation behaviours is essential.
• DCC Proficiency:
  Expert skills in Maya
  , Motion Builder
  , or equivalent 3D animation tools.
• Fundamentals: A rock‑solid understanding of weight, timing, posing, and silhouettes.
• Body Mechanics: A deep, intuitive grasp of physics and anatomy as they apply to human and cybernetic movement.
• Hybrid
  
  Skills:
  
  The ability to author compelling hand‑keyed performances while also knowing how to clean and refine motion‑capture data to fit gameplay dynamics.

• Direct experience with Motion Matching systems and workflows.
• Experience directing motion‑capture actors specifically for complex locomotion patterns.

At CD PROJEKT RED, we offer a competitive…