Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Would you like to work on something comedic and action-packed with lighthearted, whimsical characters? Do you think a lot about how well-crafted animations create satisfying feedback for players, how smoothly operating teams sustain animators’ happiness, or how the right smear frame feels like magic?

As the Senior Animation Lead on an Unannounced Incubation Project, you’ll bring iconic characters to life from prototype through production for a completely new world at Bungie. Your ability to lead and inspire a team to craft readable, expressive animation content will delight players and contribute to the best-in-class action experience that defines all Bungie games.

As a member of our incubation art team, you’ll balance craft expertise with a player-first mindset and willingness to contribute beyond your role to improve player experience wherever necessary. Your understanding of design and technical constraints will enable you to deliver functional and responsive systems that support broad animation content without an established pipeline during prototyping. Most importantly, you will work with a fun, dedicated, cross-discipline team united around our mission to create a positive impact in people's lives as we bring a new Bungie world to life.

We look for candidates who value joining a cohesive, supportive team with a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and viewpoints.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Collaborate with art leadership to define visual goals for animation content
  • Offer constructive feedback & clear direction during animation content reviews
  • Build and lead an inspired, united team of animators through all phases of production
  • Manage, mentor, and support team members with a culture of safe creative collaboration
  • Own runtime animation systems for all characters until the team grows to support a full-time technical animation role
  • Foster the development of a unique animation style with personality and charm that maintains action gameplay clarity in alignment with Design
  • Partner with Production on task estimates and deliverables to maintain craft quality and team health while minimizing risk
  • Work closely with Tech Art and Engineering to build flexible & efficient animation workflows
  • Establish and document animation content expectations + best practices

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Experience working as an Animation Lead on shipped games with significant complexity and/or high animation fidelity
  • Ability to keyframe stylized gameplay animation, as shown by examples of professional or personal work
  • Proven eye for achieving gameplay clarity through animation content, especially for action games
  • An appreciation for appealing squash & stretch, smear frames, multiples
  • Expert knowledge of Maya character animation workflows
  • Exceptional ability to problem-solve and drive creative solutions despite ambiguity
  • Task driven, self-motivated, and proactive
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Embrace “we” culture in addition to being an outstanding collaborator and communicator
  • High social intelligence, great interpersonal skills, and empathy for creative teams
  • Proficiency establishing runtime animation systems that prioritize responsive feedback
  • Willingness to manage and mentor the animators on your team
  • Proven ability to lead and mentor a group of art leads

NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS

  • Experience with development using Unreal Engine
  • Familiarity with the competitive gaming landscape
  • Experience working on a live game (“game as a service”)
Listed below is this role's base pay range. In other locations that Bungie has approved for remote work, this pay range may be adjusted up to +/- 10% and some roles may be classified as non-exempt (hourly). 

This range is determined by an array of factors, including training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. Additionally, it is subject to change and may be modified in the future. 

In the journey to make incredible worlds, Bungie employees don't simply do meaningful work - they receive meaningful support. Competitive salaries and discretionary bonus opportunities are just the start. We offer comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous 401(k) matching, flexible time off policies, paid parental leave, social clubs, and so much more. Check out our benefits page: Benefits - Bungie Careers to see all the perks that come with joining Bungie.
Bellevue Pay Range
$173,000—$195,000 USD
 
Bungie full-time (non-contract) employees in the U.S. also receive:
  • 20 days of accrued time-off in the form of PTO and sabbatical days, depending on the level of the position
  • 10 paid Floating Days annually, prorated in the first year of employment based on start date
  • 10 paid Bungie-observed holidays annually
  • One hour of Paid Sick Time (PST) for every 30 hours worked 

Contract and International FTE employees receive competitive benefits through their relevant contracting agency.

So you don't meet every requirement listed in this job description? Do you think your experience level is not where it needs to be? Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Bungie is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. If you're interested in this position but your past experience doesn't line up perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we want you to apply anyway. The right role for you may be right around the corner!
 
Most Bungie full-time employees will adopt a digital first approach allowing remote work in Bungie approved locations (outside of positions identified as 100% onsite in Bellevue/Seattle, or individuals preferring a hybrid/flex environment). Prospective full-time employees located outside of CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, or WI will need to establish residency in one of the states we are compliant in within 45 days of a start date. Contractors will follow a digital first approach adhering to the location guidelines agreed upon by our third-party employer/vendor and Bungie. Bungie’s remote policy is subject to change at the company’s discretion. 

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