---
title: 'Character Animation Lead at Epic Games'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/character-animation-lead-epic-games-multiple-locations-q2gqc2qfmkrn'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Character Animation Lead at Epic Games

- **Company:** Epic Games
- **Location:** Multiple Locations
- **Compensation:** $191k–$309k
- **Posted:** 2026-05-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://epicgames.com/careers/jobs/5763803004?gh_jid=5763803004

## Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

ART

## What We Do

Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character, and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.

## What You'll Do

Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion.  This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.

In this role, you will

- Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
- Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
- Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems.  Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
- Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
- Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviours that feel intuitive and responsive
- Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
- Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
- Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence

## What we're looking for

- Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
- Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
- Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
- Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
- Animating in engine using Unreal Engine animation tools
- Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments

Bonus Points

- Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies
- Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine

This role is open to multiple locations in North America.

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical. California Base Pay Range $210,445—$308,652 USD

Washington Base Pay Range $191,313—$280,592 USD

## ABOUT US

Epic Games​ ​is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy [here](https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/eeo-policy).

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found [here](https://www.epicgames.com/note-to-recruitment-agencies).

## About Epic Games

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology, best known for developing Fortnite and Unreal Engine.
- **Entity Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: Cary, North Carolina, USA (with dozens of offices worldwide)
- **Founded**: 1991
- **Founders**: Tim Sweeney

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Video games, game engine development, digital storefronts, online services
- **Target customers**: B2C (gamers, especially through Fortnite) and B2B (game developers, film/TV studios, automotive, architecture, simulation professionals using Unreal Engine)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To empower creators and provide an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content.

## Products & Services
- **Fortnite**: A vibrant ecosystem of social entertainment experiences including Fortnite Battle Royale, LEGO® Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival, as well as creator-made experiences. Available across multiple platforms.
- **Unreal Engine**: The most powerful real-time 3D creation engine, used not only for games but also for film/FX, automotive design, architectural visualization, broadcast/live events, and simulation.
- **Epic Games Store**: A digital storefront for PC games and apps, offering developers an 88/12 revenue split and free games programs.
- **Epic Online Services**: A suite of backend services for multiplayer games, including matchmaking, voice chat, leaderboards, and cross-platform play.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: Over 800 million accounts and over 6 billion friend connections across Fortnite, Fall Guys, Rocket League, and the Epic Games Store.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not disclosed in official materials; historically, Tencent acquired a minority stake (~40%) in 2012 and 2020 (source not in provided web results).
- **Growth Signals**: Ongoing expansion of Fortnite ecosystem (LEGO, racing, music); widespread adoption of Unreal Engine across industries; consistent hiring across engineering, art, production, and corporate roles; active investment in the metaverse and creator economy.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unreal Engine dominance**: Industry-leading real-time 3D technology used by a vast range of developers and enterprises, creating a strong ecosystem and lock-in.
- **Fortnite’s massive, engaged user base**: Over 800 million accounts provide a built-in audience and a platform for content creators.
- **End-to-end digital ecosystem**: Epic owns the full stack – engine, store, online services, and games – enabling seamless integration and data feedback loops.
- **Proprietary technology and R&D**: Continuous innovation in rendering, networking, and interactive experiences.

## Strategic Focus
- Building the metaverse through Fortnite’s creative and social experiences.
- Expanding Unreal Engine’s use beyond games into film, TV, broadcast, architecture, automotive, and simulation.
- Growing the Epic Games Store and Epic Online Services to attract and support developers.
- Investing in creator tools and economy (e.g., UEFN – Unreal Editor for Fortnite).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Epic describes itself as a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment where talented, passionate employees are at the core of its success.
- **Disciplines**: Opportunities span Engineering, Art & Animation, Audio & Design, Production, Publishing (Marketing, Community), Data & Analytics, Product Management, Corporate (HR, Legal, IT, InfoSec, Finance), and more.
- **Global presence**: Dozens of offices worldwide including major hubs in Cary (HQ), Montreal, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, Porto Alegre, Shanghai, and others.
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Not explicitly stated in provided materials, but many roles list specific locations; likely a mix of in-office, hybrid, and limited remote based on role.
- **Perks and growth**: Internship programs, opportunities to work on award-winning games and cutting-edge engine tech, and a “Be Epic” ethos that encourages innovation and quality.

## Sources
1. [epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/careers) – Careers overview and culture
2. [epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/site/about) – About page with company facts
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-games) – LinkedIn company profile (funding and revenue data not shown)
4. [epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/about) – About page (alternative URL)
5. [epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/site/careers/jobs) – Current job listings and departments

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