What We Need
Animation is the key to everything we build at Hangar 13. The animator is the center point of every character we make, the author that turns still images into magic, the innovator that truly brings life to art. As a Principal Animator, you will not simply animate, you will set the standard for animation excellence both on the game you work on, and the studio you work at, leading by doing, inspiring by iterating, delivering by technical excellence.
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What You Will Do:
- Create both keyframe and mocap driven animations that set the standard for character animation on both creatures and bipeds
- Work with technical artists and engineers to define tools, pipeline, and technology updates that allow Hangar 13 to strive for best in class animation quality
- Collaborate with the Animation Lead to set the standard for quality across the animation team
- Drive designers and character modelers to understand your vision for the character animation and how you want to bring it to life
- Define character animation at every stage, from concept, to animatics, to actual animations
Who We Think Will Be A Good Fit
- An animator passionate about working on industry defining titles that push your abilities and define true to life characters and creatures
- At least two shipped AAA titles where animations you created helped to define character and/or creature movement and abilities
- Expert knowledge of Maya or Motion Builder
- Comfort working within studio developed engines and tools
- A keyframe specialist who loves the challenge of unique rigs and character designs
- Strong creative and technical problem solving skills
- Exceptional communication skills
- Ability to set the vision and help to explain it both within the studio and across other studio locations
Who We Are
Hangar 13 is the internal 2K development studio behind the award-winning Mafia III. The studio is comprised of industry veterans drawn from a diverse range of studios, who have collectively shipped hundreds of titles across a wide variety of genres. Though we hail from all over the world, and our backgrounds are wildly different, one thing binds us all together – the belief that “Every Player’s Story is Unique.”
Hangar 13 is based in four locations: Novato (California), Brighton (UK), and Brno & Prague (Czech Republic).
We work collaboratively across our 4 locations to develop games as one global team. Each of our locations provides the opportunity to work on big-budget, AAA console in a diverse and inclusive environment!
Located just 30 minutes north of San Francisco and 30 minutes south of Napa Valley wine country, Hangar 13’s Novato location has found its home within 2K’s headquarters in Northern California. Situated in Hamilton Landing inside a renovated United States Air Force base hangar, you will find our talented and passionate team within invigorating Marin County. You can walk out the door and explore famous hiking and mountain biking trails as well as the gorgeous coastline. In addition to working in an exceptional setting conducive to Hangar 13’s inclusive and creatively diverse work environment, the Bay Area also provides employees with access to vibrant nightlife, world-class cuisine, local farmers markets, great public schools, and cultural metropolitan experiences. Onsite amenities include fully equipped break areas, company sponsored food trucks and raffle prizes, new state of the art gym, subsidized fitness classes and massage therapy, electric car charging stations and much more! We are only 5 minutes off of highway 101 and a 15-minute walk from the nearest SMART station.
