Lead 3D Animator (Characters & Props for Games)
A5 Labs
Location: Remote / Hybrid / On-site (Osaka, Japan – optional relocation)
Team: Art & Design — 3D Animation
Reports To: Art Director-----Position Summary
A5 Labs is looking for an experienced Lead 3D Animator to drive the creation of stylized character and prop animations for real-time games in the iGaming space. This role focuses on high-quality keyframe animation, technical integration, and leading the 3D animation team. All animation work is done in industry-standard DCC tools (Maya or Blender), with export and integration into Unity.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Direction
● Lead and mentor the 3D animation team, providing clear artistic and technical feedback.
● Define quality standards, style guidelines, and animation benchmarks.
● Review and approve character and prop animations for timing, weight, clarity, and expression.
3D Animation Production
● Create high-quality keyframe animations for humanoids, creatures, props, gameplay actions, and short narrative moments.
● Ensure animations support gameplay readability and align with the project’s stylized look.
Rigging & Technical Skills
● Build functional control rigs in the chosen DCC (Maya or Blender) for characters and props.
● Ensure rigs provide clean deformation, intuitive controls, and meet gameplay/production needs.
Unity Integration
● Export and integrate animations into Unity.
● Work with Animator Controller, blend trees, Timeline, animation events, and runtime adjustments.
● Collaborate with tech artists and engineers to ensure correct implementation in the engine.
Pipeline & Workflow
● Maintain and optimize the animation workflow (blocking → polish → export → integration).
● Define naming conventions, asset structure, and documentation.
● Identify and introduce tools or scripts that improve productivity and consistency.
Requirements:
Must-Have
● 5+ years of experience in 3D animation for games or real-time applications, including 2+ years in a senior or lead role.
● Strong mastery of keyframe animation: posing, timing, arcs, weight, and performance.
● Proficiency in Maya or Blender, including the ability to create your own rigs for animation purposes.
● Solid understanding of Unity’s animation systems and integration workflows.
● Experience working in collaborative, cross-disciplinary production environments.
Nice-to-Have
● Experience with motion capture cleanup.
● Familiarity with Unity’s Animation Rigging package (IK, constraints).
● Understanding of gameplay logic, camera behavior, or simple cinematic techniques.
● Background in stylized, mobile, or casual game animation.
What You'll Gain
● Creative influence over the 3D animation vision and direction.
● Opportunity to shape and evolve the animation pipeline.
● Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team building stylized real-time experiences.
● Hardware allowance: $2,000 upfront + $1,000 annually.
● Unlimited PTO (typically 22–30 days per year).
● $2,000/year learning & development support.
● Flexible hours and remote work options.
● Optional relocation to Japan; business travel may be required.