Founded in 2000, Piranha Games is an action-focused game studio known for developing licensed titles based on established franchises. The studio created the free-to-play MechWarrior Online and continues to build games set in the BattleTech universe, including MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries and MWO Legends. Its games combine tactical first-person combat with strategic management, placing players in expansive campaigns where they command mercenary operations and make decisions that shape their progress.
Senior Cinematic Animator - Canada Remote
Create gameplay and cinematic animation for Piranha Games’ action titles in Unreal Engine. Shape character performance, support animation systems, and mentor junior animators.
Description
- Animate character and object movement in ways that support gameplay and visual storytelling
- Partner with the Principal Animator to plan and deliver gameplay and cinematic animation
- Use core animation principles including weight, balance, inertia, and posing
- Apply knowledge of motion, acting, and timing to animation work
- Maintain technical and visual quality in line with the project’s artistic direction
- Work with production colleagues to address technical and design challenges
- Guide junior animators through feedback and direction
- Identify potential production conflicts and issues before they escalate
- Explain technical and artistic limitations and propose practical solutions
- Review the animation pipeline and identify opportunities to improve it
- Revise and polish animation based on direction from the Art Director and Principal Animator
- Support Unreal Engine integration across motion trees, character components, blend spaces, and related systems
- Contribute proactively to team and project objectives
- Mentor junior team members
- Take on additional responsibilities as assigned
Requirements
- At least seven years of animation experience in game development
- Proficiency with industry-standard animation tools such as Maya, 3ds Max, and MotionBuilder
- Demonstrated ability to deliver work on schedule while maintaining consistent communication with the team
- Ability to collaborate effectively and perform under pressure
- Capacity to succeed in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high-quality output
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
- Strong enthusiasm for creating and playing games
Benefits
- Piranha Games is an equal opportunity employer
- A workplace committed to inclusion
- Disability accommodations are available
- A formal education credential is not always required