At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning character and creature animations that enhance gameplay using Maya.
- Company: Join Frontier Developments, a leading independent video game studio in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, wellbeing initiatives, and relocation support.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and mentoring junior animators.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team crafting immersive gaming experiences that captivate players worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-quality animation and proficiency in Maya required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.
This role is offered on a full in‑studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.
What’s The Role
Are you passionate about crafting compelling character and creature animation that elevates gameplay? At Frontier, animation is at the heart of our storytelling. We’re looking for an experienced Animator to join our talented team and help bring our worlds to life.
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
- 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 If You Have
- 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 love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.
Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success‑based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in‑house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.
We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.
For queries, please email: [email protected]
Animator in Cambridge employer: Frontier Developments
Frontier Developments is an exceptional employer that values innovation and creativity, providing a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge. With a strong emphasis on work/life balance, employees enjoy comprehensive benefits and ample opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship roles for those looking to advance their careers. The collaborative culture fosters teamwork and encourages a user-focused approach to tool design, making it a rewarding place for passionate programmers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Animator in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow animators and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there and show off your passion for animation.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your work! Create an online portfolio that highlights your best animations. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing, so potential employers can see your skills at a glance.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your knowledge of the company. Familiarise yourself with Frontier's games and be ready to discuss how your animation style can enhance their storytelling.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from us at Frontier.
We think you need these skills to ace Animator in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Animation Skills:When applying for the Animator role, make sure to showcase your best animation work. Include a portfolio that highlights your character and creature animations, especially those created in Maya. We want to see your creativity and technical skills shine!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Animator role at Frontier. Mention your experience with animation state machines and any relevant software you’ve used, like SVN or Perforce.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your written application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to highlight your skills and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Developments
✨Showcase Your Animation Skills
Make sure to bring a strong portfolio that highlights your best animation work. Focus on character and creature animations, as these are crucial for the role. Be prepared to discuss your creative process and the tools you used, especially Maya.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Do your homework on Frontier Developments and their games. Familiarise yourself with their style and the types of projects they work on. This will help you align your answers with their creative vision during the interview.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your technical skills, particularly around Maya and animation state machines. Brush up on your knowledge of rigging pipelines and versioning software like SVN or Perforce, as these are key to the role.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since collaboration is vital in this role, be ready to share examples of how you've worked with other disciplines in the past. Highlight any experience mentoring junior animators or contributing to team knowledge sharing, as this will show your commitment to a collaborative environment.
