Eleventh Hour Games hiring Lead Animator (Remote)

Eleventh Hour Games , the visionary studio behind the breakout Action RPG Last Epoch , is seeking a high-caliber Lead Animator to spearhead our animation department. We are a fast-growing, remote-first studio defined by a deep-seated passion for the ARPG genre. At Eleventh Hour Games (EHG), we value open communication, close-knit teamwork, and a culture that empowers the next generation of creators.

As we transition into the next exciting chapter of development following the success of Last Epoch , we are looking for a leader who can balance high-level creative vision with hands-on technical execution. This is a chance to shape the movement, combat, and cinematic soul of a world-class title while mentoring a talented team of global animators.

Job Overview : Lead Animator

Details

Eleventh Hour Games (under KRAFTON Americas)

Lead Animator

Full-Time

100% Remote (Must work core hours: 10am–4pm CST)

Lead / Senior (4+ Years Industry, 2+ Years Leadership)

Unity / Unreal Engine

Maya, Project Management Tools (ClickUp)

Full-cycle shipping experience (Conception to Launch)

Salary & Compensation Benchmarks

Annual Salary Range: $110,000 – $165,000 USD (Estimated based on US/Global market standards for Lead roles in AAA/High-End Indie studios).

Note: Final compensation is determined by the candidate’s geographic location, depth of technical expertise, and total years of relevant industry experience.

The Opportunity: Lead the Vision

As the Lead Animator , you are the bridge between the Creative Director’s high-level vision and the technical reality of the game engine. You won’t just be managing spreadsheets; you will be staying “hands-on,” creating high-quality animations that set the gold standard for the rest of the team.

Your mission is to ensure a cohesive animation style that enhances gameplay feel—making every spell cast, sword swing, and creature movement feel impactful and responsive. In an ARPG context, animation is the primary feedback loop for the player; you will be responsible for ensuring that loop is flawless.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Creative Leadership & Execution

• Direct the Flow: Work in lockstep with the Design Team to translate gameplay needs into actionable animation designs.

• Hands-on Production: Maintain your craft by creating key animations for heroes, bosses, and cinematics, serving as a quality benchmark for the studio.

• Style Consistency: Convey the Creative Director’s vision to the animation team, providing the context and feedback necessary to maintain visual harmony across the project.

2. Production & Resource Management

• Strategic Planning: Create and facilitate project schedules, implementing robust plans for resources, internal workflows, and major milestones.

• Risk Mitigation: Regularly monitor production status, team morale, and communication channels to identify potential bottlenecks or risks. You are expected to execute early interventions to keep the project on track.

• Process Documentation: Document and refine animation processes. You will identify opportunities for structural improvement and work with cross-functional teams (Art, Engineering, Design) to execute creative solutions.

3. Mentorship & Team Health

• Guidance: Mentor junior and mid-level animators, fostering an environment of growth and high performance.

• Validation: Feedback and validate work from various sub-teams to ensure all assets meet EHG’s rigorous quality objectives.

• Collaborative Spirit: Work closely with Producers to ensure the project’s direction is followed and that the team remains agile during priority shifts.

Qualifications & Technical Requirements Lead Animator

Eleventh Hour Games is looking for a veteran who understands the unique pressures of a live-service environment and the technical requirements of the ARPG genre.

• Proven Tenure: Minimum of 4+ years of professional industry experience, with at least 3 years focused specifically on animation roles.

• Leadership Pedigree: At least 2+ years of prior experience in a Lead or Senior role with a focus on mentoring and team management.

• Shipping History: Demonstrable experience taking a project through the full development cycle , from initial concept and prototyping to shipping and post-launch support.

• Remote Management: Proven ability to lead and deliver high-quality products while managing a fully remote team. This includes proficiency in providing remote feedback and conducting performance evaluations.

• Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Maya . You must also have demonstrable experience with Unity and/or Unreal Engine , as well as modern project management software like ClickUp .

• Studio Alignment: Ability to work core studio hours (10am – 4pm CST ) to ensure optimal collaboration with the North American team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish is highly valued to facilitate communication with our global partners.

• Genre Expertise: A deep familiarity with Action RPGs (ARPGs) and the complexities of live-service content pipelines.

• Collaborative Mindset: Experience in multi-team collaboration within an indie or mid-sized studio environment.

Why Join Eleventh Hour Games?

At Eleventh Hour Games , we believe that extraordinary games are built by passionate people. We have moved from a small group of enthusiasts to a global force in the RPG space, and we want you to help us define what comes next.

• Remote-First Culture: We have perfected the art of remote work, ensuring you have the tools and communication channels needed to succeed from anywhere.

• Ownership: We value “ownership” culture—you won’t just be a cog in a machine; you will have a direct say in the animation direction of our titles.

• Fast-Paced Growth: With the success of Last Epoch , we are scaling rapidly, offering unparalleled opportunities for career advancement.

• Inclusive Environment: As part of the KRAFTON Americas family, we provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Application & Security Notice

Eleventh Hour Games and KRAFTON Americas take your security seriously. Due to recent industry-wide recruitment scams, please note that our recruiters will only contact you via the following official domains:

• @sds.com
• @krafton.com
• @unknownworlds.com
• @pubg.com

If you receive a suspicious communication, please reach out directly to View email address on festybay.com to verify the identity of the sender.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate leader ready to forge the next generation of ARPG legends, we want to see your work. Please submit your CV, a link to your Lead-level portfolio/demo reel , and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with remote team management.

Eleventh Hour Games — Forge Your Path.

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