Frontier is hiring 3D Animator (Cambridge, UK) Frontier Developments

Are you a passionate, highly skilled animator with a deep love for crafting compelling character and creature movements that elevate core gameplay to new heights? If you are searching for an incredible opportunity to work with an industry-leading studio, look no further. Frontier—an independent video game developer and publisher renowned worldwide for crafting immersive gaming experiences, fun gameplay, and unparalleled artistic quality—is actively looking for a talented Animator to join our dynamic team.

Based in our modern studio located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK), this role invites you to immerse yourself in iconic creative management simulation games that captivate millions of players globally. Whether you prefer working on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid model (requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the studio), Frontier provides a supportive, creative environment. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to move to the UK.

Key Responsibilities & What You’ll Be Doing:

• Create high-quality, expressive character and creature animations using Maya.
• Implement animations into our proprietary Cobra engine.
• Collaborate across disciplines including Character Art, Code, Design, and VFX.
• Take direction from the Lead Animator and Game Director to realise the creative vision.
• Contribute to a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.
• Solve production challenges with creativity and technical know-how.
• Maintain accurate task tracking and validate assets to minimise bugs.
• Provide feedback to external development partners when needed.
• Support junior team members and contribute to team knowledge sharing.

What You’ll Bring (Requirements & Skills):

• Proven experience producing high-quality animation assets.
• Strong proficiency in Maya’s character animation tools.
• Excellent understanding of body mechanics, posing, timing, and acting choices.
• Experience with creature animation and believable movement.
• Familiarity with animation state machines.
• Understanding of versioning software (SVN, Perforce).
• Strong time management and communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of rigging pipelines.

Bonus Skills & Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience with external animation behaviour tree software (e.g. Havok, Unity, Unreal).
• Scripting knowledge (Python, MEL).
• Experience mentoring or training junior animators.

What We Can Offer You:

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Competitive Salary & Financial Incentives: Includes a competitive salary package, a success-based annual bonus, and share option schemes.
• Health & Life Security: Private family healthcare, life assurance, and enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
• Workplace Flexibility: Flexitime working hours and a balanced hybrid or in-studio working setup.
• Wellbeing Support: Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we support our people through dedicated activities, initiatives, and mental/physical health sessions.
• On-Site Perks: In-house subsidised catering, social activities, and events.
• Commuter & Eco Perks: Support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, and free bike servicing.