Character Animation Lead
What We Do
Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes.
You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion.
- Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
- Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
- Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems
- Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
- Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
- Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviours that feel intuitive and responsive
- Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
- Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
- Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence
What We're Looking For
- Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
- Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
- Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
- Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
- Animating in engine using Unreal Engine animation tools
- Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments
Bonus Points
- Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies
- Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
- Pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents
- Includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match
- Robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents
- Events and company-wide paid breaks throughout the year
- Unlimited PTO and sick time
- Paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment
About Us
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before.
Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design.
As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
We do not accept unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party. Epic does not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.