[Hiring] Expert Animator @BulletFarm

Role Description

When you start, you will be the only animator at BulletFarm. You will be making first-person weapon animations, locomotion, and interaction systems from scratch — no existing pipeline, no reference library, no junior animator to prep assets. The animation feel of the game is yours to establish from the first placeholder.

You need to be fast, technically self-sufficient in UE5’s animation systems, and comfortable making the calls that define what great looks like, not just executing toward someone else’s standard. You have shipped first-person animation on AAA titles and you know what good feel requires at the implementation level, not just in theory.

What You'll Do

• Own the vision, quality, and execution of first-person animation systems throughout development.
• Create high-quality first-person animations for weapons, abilities, locomotion, interactions, and gameplay systems.
• Collaborate closely with Gameplay Design and Engineering to ensure animations support responsiveness, readability, and player feedback.
• Develop and maintain animation blueprints, state machines, Control Rig solutions, and gameplay animation systems within Unreal Engine 5.
• Create and refine procedural and layered animation solutions that enhance gameplay feel and visual fidelity.
• Build, maintain, and optimize first-person animation pipelines and workflows.
• Rig and prepare first-person assets for animation and engine implementation.
• Work closely with Technical Art and Engineering teams to integrate animations efficiently into gameplay systems.
• Review, direct, and provide feedback to external animation vendors and contract animators.
• Establish animation standards, documentation, and best practices for internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with leadership to define animation priorities, schedules, and quality benchmarks.
• Support cinematic and scripted gameplay animation needs when required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of animation experience, including shipped AAA or AA FPS credits in a Senior Animator, Lead Animator, Principal Animator, Expert Animator, or equivalent role.
• Expert-level proficiency in first-person animation: weapons, hands, locomotion, interactions, and player abilities.
• Deep understanding of first-person gameplay feel, responsiveness, and player feedback principles.
• Extensive experience with Unreal Engine animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, Blend Spaces, State Machines, Control Rig, and Sequencer.
• Strong animation fundamentals: timing, weight, posing, anticipation, and readability.
• Experience rigging and preparing first-person assets for production use.
• Strong understanding of animation implementation and integration within game engines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Design, Engineering, Technical Art, and Production teams.
• Experience reviewing and directing the work of external animation partners.
• Active engagement with AI tools relevant to animation, including AI-assisted rigging, cleanup workflows, or reference tooling.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to provide clear, actionable feedback.

Preferred

• Experience leading or mentoring animation teams.
• Expertise in procedural animation systems and runtime animation solutions.
• Experience with co-op or multiplayer gameplay animation.
• Familiarity with motion capture pipelines and animation cleanup workflows.
• Experience creating animation systems for weapons with multiple states, abilities, and gameplay interactions.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine source-level animation systems and advanced runtime animation techniques.
• Experience working on original IP and early-stage game development.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Own the rendering and graphics technology stack for a new AAA title: working directly with the Technical Director on foundational architecture decisions.
• Solve challenging graphics and performance problems using cutting-edge UE5 technology with broad technical ownership from day one.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BulletFarm is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to building a team that reflects a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range listed above reflects the budgeted range for this role in USD. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and qualifications. BulletFarm offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), and flexible paid time off.

Pay Transparency

In compliance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws: including those in Colorado, California, New York, Washington, and Illinois, the salary range for this position is disclosed in the compensation section above.

Accommodations

Applicants who require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact us at [email protected].