Animator (R&D Service Project)

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

About the role

Steamroller Animation is looking for a talented Animator to join us for a high-priority Research and Development service project. This is a unique opportunity to solve creative puzzles and push the boundaries of character movement within a dedicated R&D environment.

Project Details

• This is a contract position (1099 status) for a project that is purely R&D in nature.
• Because this is a service project focused on internal development, there will be no finished product shared publicly.
• The project is under a very restrictive NDA, requiring this role to be strictly in-house at our studio.
• Candidates must be available to work on-site full-time in our studio —located in Mount Dora, FLorida—Monday through Friday.
• The project is estimated to last 5 to 7 months, starting in early April.

Core Focus

• We are seeking character keyframe animators with a profound understanding of animation principles.
• All candidates must have demonstrated experience with facial animation, specifically showcasing strong appeal and clear graphic shapes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the animation team on intermediate to complex tasks across various styles.
• Consistently deliver high-quality animation for keyframe, motion capture, and/or cinematic sequences.
• Work closely with animation directors and leads to meet artistic goals and project requirements.
• Communicate effectively with production regarding performance ideas, deadlines, and technical concerns.
• Participate in dailies, rounds, and team reviews to implement feedback and enhance overall quality.
• Maintain professional and open communication regarding creative direction and changes.
• Utilize necessary production tools proficiently to meet all project requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of production experience in a professional studio environment.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Maya.
• Strong understanding of character keyframe animation and fundamental principles.
• Extensive experience with facial animation featuring strong appeal and graphic shapes.
• Ability to utilize research and reference effectively to inform animation tasks.
• Solid knowledge of human and animal anatomy.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn both independently and with the team.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with 2D animation and 2D animation principles.
• Experience interfacing directly with clients.
• Experience with motion capture cleanup and working with mocap data.