Jobs at Azra Games - Senior Animator, California

Job Overview

• Company Name – Azra Games
• Job Title – Senior Animator
• Location – California, USA (Remote Friendly for NA Timezones)
• Job Type – Full-Time / Permanent
• Salary Range – $106,000 – $159,000 USD + Equity
• Software Focus – Autodesk Maya (Mastery Required)

Azra Games is a premier venture-backed game studio based in California, led by industry veterans with a mission to redefine the Action RPG genre for mobile platforms. We are currently seeking a world-class Senior Animator to serve as our primary animation lead and quality benchmark.

When you look at jobs at Azra Games , you aren’t just looking for a seat at a desk; you are looking for a platform to lead. This role is designed for a veteran who can bridge the gap between technical implementation in Unity and high-level artistic storytelling. As the senior-most world animator, you will act as the key point person for animation leadership, reporting directly to our animation head, Hannah, and shaping the visual soul of our latest project.

The Vision: Why Jobs at Azra Games are Different

At Azra Games , we believe that mobile players deserve AAA-quality immersion. We are building a mobile Action RPG that demands expressive characters, grounded world interactions, and cinematic flair. Unlike massive corporate studios where your work might be limited to a single character type, jobs at Azra Games offer the chance to touch every part of the world—from ambient environmental storytelling to high-stakes combat and scripted narrative vignettes.

We value proactive ownership . We don’t want to tell you what to do every morning; we want you to tell us how we can make our animation better. You will be the standard-bearer for quality, mentoring junior talent and establishing the “Azra Style.”

Key Responsibilities & Role Impact

1. World-Class Character & World Animation

• Breathe Life into Neverland: (Contextualizing for our RPG world) You will animate main characters, NPCs, and environmental elements, ensuring the world feels reactive and alive.

• Ambient Storytelling: Create high-quality world ambient animations that support narrative beats without the need for dialogue.

• Systematic Behaviors: Partner with designers to create robust locomotion sets, interactions, and gameplay-driven animations.

2. Narrative & Cinematic Excellence

• Vignette Crafting: Design and execute scripted cutscenes that are optimized for mobile performance but carry the emotional weight of a cinematic experience.

• Staging & Layout: Take charge of blocking characters and cameras to ensure narrative clarity and visual impact.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Work hand-in-hand with Quest Designers and Narrative leads to ensure story beats are translated perfectly into movement.

3. Technical Implementation & Leadership

• Unity Mastery: Deep dive into our Unity-based pipeline, specifically utilizing Animancer to manage state machines and animation workflows.

• Pipeline Optimization: Collaborate with Technical Animators to ensure animations are performant across a wide range of mobile devices.

• Mentorship: Act as a North Star for the animation team, providing feedback, defining best practices, and helping junior animators level up their craft.

Requirements: What We’re Looking For

To be successful in the competitive landscape of jobs at Azra Games , candidates must demonstrate a blend of artistic mastery and technical self-sufficiency.

Essential Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)

• Maya Mastery: Complete, expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Maya is a hard requirement for this role.

• Real-Time Engine Experience: Deep proficiency in Unity (strongly preferred) or Unreal Engine, with a history of implementing your own assets.

• The Full Spectrum: Proven expertise in both Keyframe (Hand-keyed) animation and Motion Capture (Mocap) workflows. We use both heavily and need someone who can pivot between them seamlessly.

• Independence: A track record of working remotely (within North American timezones) while maintaining high productivity and self-assessment.

• The Reel: A powerful demo reel that showcases a sophisticated understanding of body mechanics, weight, and combat.

Preferred Skillsets (The “Plus” Factors)

• Mobile & Live Service: Prior experience navigating the specific constraints of mobile hardware and the fast-paced nature of live-service updates.

• Scripting: Knowledge of Python for creating custom animation tools or pipeline automation.

• Cinematic Flair: Experience with camera work, lighting within scenes, and expressive, character-driven performances.

Your First Year at Azra Games

We have high expectations for our senior leaders. By the end of your first year, you will have:

• Set the Bar: Established yourself as the quality benchmark for all animation output at the studio.

• Shipped Content: Successfully integrated multiple high-quality cutscenes and vignettes into the live game environment.

• Workflow Mastery: Become the studio expert on Animancer , contributing directly to the evolution of our Unity workflows.

• Culture Building: Formed deep, trust-based relationships with the Narrative and Tech teams, becoming the “go-to” person for all things animation.

Compensation, Benefits & Equity

We believe in rewarding our talent for the immense value they bring to our players.

• Salary: A highly competitive base salary ranging from $106,000 to $159,000 .

• Equity: Ownership in the company. When you look at jobs at Azra Games , you aren’t just an employee; you are a partner in our success.

• Remote Flexibility: We are a remote-friendly studio for those living within North American timezones, offering a modern work-life balance.

• California Roots: Benefit from being part of the vibrant California tech and gaming ecosystem.

Why You Should Choose Azra Games

The gaming industry is at a crossroads, and jobs at Azra Games represent the path forward: smaller, more agile teams with massive creative “punch.” We avoid the “factory” feel of larger studios. Here, you will have a seat at the leadership table, a direct line to the founders, and the autonomy to create the best work of your career.

We are looking for a “problem-solver first” animator. If you see a glitch in a transition or a character that feels stiff, you don’t wait for a ticket—you fix it. That is the spirit of Azra.

How to Apply

Does your portfolio scream “Senior Leadership”? Are you ready to define the animation style of the next great mobile RPG?

Please submit your CV and Demo Reel link. Ensure your reel highlights your ability to handle both grounded, realistic movement and high-energy combat.

Join us at Azra Games—where your movement defines the world.

]]><