Lead Animator

Founded in 2000, Frogwares is an independent game development studio based in Ukraine and Ireland.

Thanks to the work of our talented teams, our games are available on major platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Best known for the popular The Sinking City and Sherlock Holmes series, we strive to create immersive single-player experiences that resonate with players long after they put down the gamepad. 

With millions of game units sold worldwide, Frogwares continues to build a rich portfolio for the new generation of gamers and is currently working on its most ambitious title yet - The Sinking City 2, a Lovecraftian survival horror game, powered by Unreal Engine 5.

For more information, visit www.frogwares.com

What are you working on?

• The name of the project(s): The Sinking City 2
• Platforms: PC, Console

For which tasks (responsibilities)?

We are looking for a talented Lead Animator to drive the animation team and bring life to our next big project.

As a Lead Animator, you will play a key role in shaping the look and feel of the characters and gameplay animations. You will manage the animation pipeline, lead a team of animators, and collaborate closely with designers, artists, and programmers to ensure smooth, high-quality animations that align with the creative vision of the project.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of animators, providing feedback and ensuring deliverables meet project standards and deadlines;

• Oversee the creation of high-quality keyframe and motion-capture animations for characters, creatures, and environments;

• Collaborate with the Creative Director, Design Leads, and Technical Artists to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and visual style;

• Set up and maintain animation workflows, tools, and pipelines to streamline production processes;

• Produce high-quality keyframe animations and process mocap data for characters, creatures, and various game elements;  

• Review animations and identify areas for improvement, troubleshooting issues in collaboration with technical teams;

• Provide hands-on animation work as needed to meet project goals;

• Advocate for the animation team, managing workloads, and contributing to hiring and team growth;

What kind of professional are we looking for?

• 5+ years of professional experience in game animation, with at least 1 shipped AA/AAA title in a Lead or Senior Animator role;

• Strong expertise in creating fluid, dynamic, and realistic animations (keyframe and motion capture);

• Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Maya, Blender, and MotionBuilder with additional experience in Unreal Engine animation tools like animation trees and motion matching system;

• Solid understanding of animation principles, anatomy, and movement;

• Familiarity with animation integration into game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar);

• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience mentoring or managing other animators;

• Problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot animation issues during development;

• Passion for video games and understanding of how animation supports gameplay;

• Strong English level;

Nice to Have

• Experience working on open-world or narrative-driven games;

• Familiarity with rigging, technical animation, and implementing animations using blueprints;

• Experience with cinematics or cutscene animations;

• Basic understanding of programming or scripting for animation tools.

Why do we enjoy working here?

• Work either in an office near the “Pochaina” metro station, equipped with a power generator, or fully remotely;

• 20 working days of vacation per year;

• 10 paid sick days per year;

• Large, active, and friendly team;

• Opportunities for professional growth and trying new things;

• Work in a well-known Ukrainian game studio.