Senior Cinematic Animator Job at CD Projekt in Boston

Job Description

We're looking for a Senior Cinematic Animator to join our team in Boston office. This role is part of our team working on Project Orion - the follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077 and the next major video game in the Cyberpunk franchise.

Contribute to a dynamic team by bringing characters to life in the narrative moments of the game. Collaborate closely with designers and other multidisciplinary team members to create immersive game content - from initial concepting, quest requirements, through mocap shoots, to finished animations. As a Senior Cinematic Animator, you'll be an integral part of the storytelling process, using your expertise to ensure that final scenes are not only visually stunning but also deeply engaging for players. As the project evolves, so will your responsibilities, offering you the chance to continually grow and adapt. If you are passionate about storytelling and animation, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact in the next Cyberpunk game.

(This position requires working onsite in Boston. Hybrid mode available).

Daily Responsibilities

• Being a game developer first, ensuring that your animations look and feel great while playing the game.
• Collaborating daily with the Animation Lead and Cinematic Director.
• Taking responsibility for the animation-related aspects of the game, including driving collaboration across disciplines to create the best possible player experience.
• Estimating the time required to carry out own tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Delivering work in accordance with the artistic direction of the project.
• Prototyping and drafting animations to explore and validate new ideas.
• Working on concepts and previzes for the narrative parts of the game to ensure a cohesive and engaging story experience.
• Providing knowledge and solutions for everyday problems.
• Building and testing the animation pipeline in Unreal Engine 5, acting as both a key stakeholder and power user in the process.
• Creating final, high-quality narrative animation assets from scratch or motion capture data.
• Sharing your experience and helping less experienced team members.

Qualifications

• Passion for creating great games and a love for animation.
• Experience working on at least two AAA titles.
• An animation reel demonstrating senior-level skills with a clear explanation of contributions.
• Outstanding creativity and a strong commitment to the project.
• Solid knowledge of animation principles and an eye for dynamic poses.
• Good instincts for realistic character movement and facial conveying emotions.
• Understanding of camera movement, composition, and character performance to create visually compelling scenes.
• Professional knowledge of Unreal Engine and Motion Builder or Maya.
• Experience directing and working with motion capture and/or performance capture.
• Capability to self-manage and make responsible decisions about time and project priorities.
• Ability to work proactively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Eagerness to receive, seek, and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to mentor less experienced peers.
• Experience creating layouts or previzes is a plus.
• Experience in developing animation pipelines and tools is a plus.

Additional Information

This job requires working in Boston, US.
Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.

Health & Well-being

• Company paid medical healthcare (dental vision & mental).
• Paid Leave — 20 days of holiday for every team member per year (26 days after two years).
• No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.
• 401K with employer matching.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement.

Perks & Professional Growth

• Flexible working hours.
• Trainings, lectures and courses — internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There’s always something to learn!
• Merch — regular chances to nab some cool swag!
• A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office — dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.
• Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.