Lead Gameplay Animator at Striking Distance Studios

Striking Distance Studios, a premier AAA development house located in the San Ramon Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area, is seeking a visionary L ead Gameplay Animator specializing in Player Feel . This is a pivotal leadership role for an unannounced, cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) project. At Striking Distance, we believe excellence is an attitude, and we are looking for a hands-on leader who is obsessed with the intersection of animation, responsiveness, and moment-to-moment gameplay satisfaction.

Job Overview: Lead Gameplay Animator

Details

Striking Distance Studios (KRAFTON Americas)

Lead Gameplay Animator (Player Feel)

Lead (7+ Years)

San Ramon, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)

Full-time

New, Unannounced AAA Title

$120,000 – $166,000 USD (California Grade)

Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)

About Striking Distance Studios

Striking Distance Studios is driven by a relentless pursuit of creative excellence. Situated at the intersection of art, design, and technology, our team is composed of industry veterans dedicated to crafting immersive AAA experiences. As a studio under the KRAFTON umbrella, we provide a world-class environment where amazing people are given the opportunity to do work they are truly proud of. We value diversity, authenticity, and the drive to learn with every new challenge.

Role Overview & Mission as Gameplay Animator

The Lead Gameplay Animator is the primary architect of how a player “feels” the game. This isn’t just about making animations look pretty; it’s about making them feel right. You will define and drive the responsiveness, weight, and satisfaction of our playable characters.

In this Gameplay Animator role, you will lead a specialized strike team—including a gameplay animator and a technical animator—to ensure that movement, combat, and interactions are world-class. You will be a bridge-builder, working at the heart of a multidisciplinary group of designers, engineers, audio artists, and VFX specialists to translate abstract gameplay mechanics into tangible, readable, and thrilling character behaviors.

Core Responsibilities & Ownership

1. Defining “Player Feel”

• Movement & Traversal: You will own the core locomotion systems, ensuring that running, jumping, and climbing feel fluid and grounded.

• Combat Excellence: You will drive the impact and timing of both ranged and melee combat, focusing on hit-stop, weight, and follow-through.

• Interaction Systems: Ensure that every button press results in a satisfying and readable in-game action, from opening doors to complex environmental interactions.

2. Technical Leadership & Implementation

• UE5 Systems: Hands-on implementation of animation state machines, blending, and gameplay-driven animation events within Unreal Engine 5.

• Systems Integration: Collaborate with engineers to tune animation systems for networked gameplay and varying camera behaviors.

• Feedback Loops: Coordinate with the Audio and VFX teams to ensure that visual and auditory feedback perfectly syncs with animation beats to maximize player impact.

3. Team Guidance & Quality Control

• Mentorship: Provide high-level feedback and guidance to your team of gameplay and technical animators, elevating the overall quality of the studio’s output.

• Iteration: Lead the “playtest and tune” cycle. You will be expected to play the game constantly, identifying areas where responsiveness can be sharpened and “jank” can be eliminated.

• Direct Contribution: Remain a strong individual contributor, setting the visual and technical benchmark through your own high-fidelity animation work.

Qualifications: What You Bring to the Team

Professional Background

• Industry Experience: A minimum of 7 years of professional gameplay animation experience, with at least one shipped PC or console title in a Senior or Lead capacity.

• AAA Pedigree: Proven experience working on high-budget, action-oriented character gameplay.

• Unreal Expertise: Professional-grade experience in Unreal Engine is required; specific experience with UE5’s latest animation toolsets (Control Rig, Motion Warping, etc.) is highly preferred.

Technical & Artistic Skills

• Mastery of Mechanics: A deep understanding of body mechanics, weight, and the principles of animation as they apply specifically to interactive gameplay.

• Readability: The ability to create animations that communicate intent clearly to the player, even in the middle of chaotic combat.

• Collaboration: A “design-first” mindset—the ability to work with gameplay designers to find the balance between a beautiful animation and a responsive control scheme.

Submission Requirements

• The Reel: A strong portfolio or demo reel is mandatory. Your reel should showcase gameplay animations in-context (showing the character being controlled in the engine) rather than just linear cinematics. We want to see how your animation handles transitions, stops, and combat interrupts.

Why Join Striking Distance Studios?

Working with us means joining a community that values your unique perspective. We offer:

• Creative Empowerment: The setting and tools to do the best work of your career on a brand-new IP.

• Inclusive Culture: We are dedicated to building an authentic workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

• Competitive Benefits: A robust salary package based on experience, education, and skills, alongside the perks of working in the scenic San Ramon Hills.

How to Apply & Security Note

To apply, please submit your CV and a link to your demo reel.

Security Warning: Due to recent recruitment scams, please note that our official recruiters will only contact you via addresses ending in:

• @sds.com

• @krafton.com

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If you receive a suspicious message, please verify it by contacting View email address on us.fitly.work .

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