Daybreakgames

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · Principal · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$160k-$180kDetected 5 days ago

GitControlsMayaUnityUnreal EngineLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationMentoring

About the role

Your expertise will encompass both traditional hand-keyed animation and modern motion capture workflows, and you'll be expected to push the boundaries of animation quality while maintaining technical efficiency.
As a leader on the animation team, you will mentor junior and mid-level animators, establish best practices, define animation pipelines, and serve as the authority on animation craft within the studio.
Craft expressive character animations that communicate personality, emotion, and identity while supporting compelling gameplay

Develop comprehensive animation sets including locomotion, combat, interactions, and cinematic performance animations
Establish and maintain benchmark animations that define visual and technical standards for the project
Support physics, cloth, and other specialized animation systems
Collaborate with technical artists and programmers to optimize animation assets for real-time rendering and ensure smooth integration into game systems
Partner with character artists, riggers, and modelers to resolve animation-related issues and improve workflows
Test, review, and iterate on animations to ensure they deliver the intended gameplay experience and visual impact
We are seeking an exceptional Principal Animator to join our creative team and drive animation excellence across our gaming portfolio.
In this senior role, you will create high-quality animations for characters, NPCs, creatures, and cinematic sequences-spanning gameplay locomotion, combat systems, emotional performance, and cinematic storytelling.

7+ years of professional experience in game animation production, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or mentorship role
Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Science, Fine Arts, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating mastery of animation craft

Expert-level proficiency in Maya (or equivalent 3D animation software) with 5+ years of professional use
Demonstrated expertise in character animation fundamentals including weight, posing, timing, arcs, anticipation, and follow-through
Proficiency in hand-keyed animation and motion capture workflows (MotionBuilder, Motionvault, or similar)
Advanced knowledge of animation optimization techniques and performance constraints in real-time engines
Strong understanding of gameplay animation systems including locomotion, blending, IK/FK, and root motion
Experience with version control systems (Perforce, Git) and collaborative development workflows
Artistic & Professional Skills
Master understanding of animation principles and classic character animation theory applied to interactive media
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively across disciplines
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback with maturity and professionalism
Self-directed and proactive; able to work independently and make decisions aligned with project vision
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality and craftsmanship

You'll collaborate directly with game designers, technical artists, programmers, and directors to ensure every frame serves the gameplay and narrative vision.
You'll own full animation development cycles, make independent creative decisions aligned with project vision, and drive continuous improvement in both artistic quality and technical execution.
Create high-quality, production-level character animations that showcase technical excellence and artistic vision
Communicate with directors and leads to align animation work with the project's creative vision and style guidelines

This listing is sourced directly from Daybreakgames's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.