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- Tasks: Create stunning character animations and cinematic camera movements for immersive training content.
- Company: SHIIFT is a creative studio focused on 3D animation for digital training and project visualisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health insurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and work on impactful projects that enhance learning through engaging visuals.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years of professional 3D animation experience and proficiency in Maya required.
- Other info: This role is an initial 3-month contract with potential for permanent placement.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 36000 £ per year.
Job Description
Midweight 3D Animator – Character & Cinematic Focus
Location:Â London
Type:Â Initial 3 month contract with option to be permanent
Experience:Â min 4 years in full time employment
Salary: £35k – £45k
SHIIFT is a creative studio specialising in immersive digital training and project visualisation – from animated safety videos to high-impact virtual simulations. We work with major clients in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing to help bring vital procedures to life in 3D.
We’re looking for a Midweight 3D Animator with a passion for crafting polished, realistic character animation and a flair for cinematic camera work. This role will sit at the heart of our animation team, contributing to a growing portfolio of stylised and realistic training content that places human motion, emotion, and clarity at the core.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Animating camera movements that support cinematic storytelling and clear visual communication
- Creating expressive, high-quality character animation, with a focus on realistic and semi-realistic body mechanics
- Blending motion capture data with keyframe animation to deliver smooth, believable results
- Collaborating with the team to iterate quickly based on feedback and maintain consistency across sequences
- Supporting rig testing and animation prep where required
What We’re Looking For
- 2–4 years of experience in 3D animation, in a production studio environment (not university)
- Familiarity with cinematic principles – camera framing, movement, and shot continuity
- Proficiency in Maya is a must; experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, or mocap pipelines (e.g. Rokoko, Xsens) is a plus
- A strong showreel demonstrating character animation skills, with supporting examples of camera workStrong grasp of body mechanics, timing, and naturalistic motion
- Confidence in animating realistic to semi-stylised human characters – emotion, weight, and subtlety matter
To see some of our projects click here: https://shiifttraining.com/our-projects/
You will also work across our sister brand here: https://myriadglobalmedia.com/our-work/
We offer 25 days holiday per year, health insurance and flexible working when needed.
This position is not for 2025 university graduates.
3D Animator - Character & Cinematic Focus employer: SHIIFT
Contact Detail:
SHIIFT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 3D Animator - Character & Cinematic Focus
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your best work in your showreel. Highlight character animations that demonstrate your understanding of body mechanics and emotional expression, as these are key aspects the studio is looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with cinematic principles before your interview. Understanding camera framing and movement will help you discuss how you can contribute to storytelling through animation.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your experience with motion capture data and how you've blended it with keyframe animation in past projects. This will show your technical skills and adaptability.
✨Tip Number 4
Research SHIIFT's previous projects and be ready to talk about how your style and skills align with their work. This shows genuine interest and helps you stand out as a candidate who fits their creative vision.
We think you need these skills to ace 3D Animator - Character & Cinematic Focus
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 3D animation experience, particularly in character animation and cinematic work. Include specific projects where you've demonstrated your skills in Maya and any relevant software.
Craft a Compelling Showreel: Your showreel is crucial for this role. Showcase your best character animations and camera work, ensuring it reflects your ability to create polished and realistic animations. Keep it concise but impactful.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for 3D animation and how your experience aligns with the job requirements. Mention specific projects or techniques that demonstrate your understanding of cinematic principles and body mechanics.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves working closely with a team, emphasise your ability to collaborate and iterate based on feedback. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at SHIIFT
✨Showcase Your Showreel
Make sure to bring a strong showreel that highlights your character animation skills. Include examples of your camera work and any projects that demonstrate your ability to blend motion capture data with keyframe animation.
✨Understand Cinematic Principles
Brush up on cinematic principles such as camera framing, movement, and shot continuity. Be prepared to discuss how you apply these principles in your work and how they enhance storytelling in animation.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves collaborating with a team, be ready to share examples of how you've worked with others in past projects. Highlight your ability to iterate quickly based on feedback and maintain consistency across sequences.
✨Know Your Tools
Familiarise yourself with Maya, as proficiency is a must for this position. If you have experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, or mocap pipelines, be sure to mention it, as it could give you an edge in the interview.