Senior Animator

Job description

Gaming: Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it’s all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting-edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe. Position Summary We're looking for a Senior Animator to join our game development studio, creating high-impact animation for slot machine games destined for the Australian gaming market. You'll bring the game to life — and help the game stand out in a competitive market. This is a senior, hands-on role for an animator who can both execute at a high level and mentor junior artists, while collaborating closely with the rest of the team to ship polished and competitive titles. Key Responsibilities Design and produce animations for slot game elements, including symbol wins, anticipation effects, reel transitions, feature sequences, jackpot celebrations, and character animations. Translate storyboards and game design documents into fluid, appealing, on-brand animation. Own animation timing and impact — ensuring every win, near-miss, and feature trigger feels appropriately rewarding. Collaborate with Game Designers to align animation pacing with the game's goals. Work closely with Developers to ensure animations are coming up correctly in-engine, troubleshooting playback, timing, and performance issues. Maintain visual consistency across a game's full feature set and across a portfolio of titles/brand guidelines. Prepare and manage animation assets, rigs, and files for efficient handoff and reuse across projects. Review and provide creative and technical feedback on the work of junior and mid-level animators; mentor and upskill team members. Contribute to pitch/concept work, including animatics and proof-of-concept animation for new game pitches. Stay current with animation trends, slot game market trends (locally and internationally), and competitor titles. Essential Experience & Skills 4+ years of professional animation experience, ideally within the gaming industry. Prior experience animating for the land-based gaming industry strongly preferred. Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard animation tools; preference for a solid 2D animation core. Strong understanding of animation principles and how to apply them to short-form, high-repetition game content. Experience preparing and exporting animation assets for real-time game engines (**Unity** experience highly regarded). Excellent sense of timing and "feel" for what makes a moment satisfying. Ability to work within technical constraints without compromising quality. Strong communication skills and experience mentoring junior team members or directing animation on a project. A folio demonstrating character, FX/transition, and UI/motion graphics work. Examples of in-field industry work – (titles and aspects worked on) deeply appreciated. Highly Regarded Experience with rigging. Illustration or character design skills, and comfort collaborating on style development. Familiarity with the Australian market and regulations. Experience working in agile, cross-functional game development teams. Experience with 3D-to-2D hybrid workflows or particle/FX tools is a plus but not required What You'll Need to Bring A strong portfolio/showreel demonstrating relevant 2D animation work (slots/casino, mobile, or broadcast games preferred). Full working rights in Australia. Why Join Us? Exceptional Talent: Join forces with some of the brightest minds in the industry and unleash your full potential. Global Impact: Be part of a truly global team and make your mark on the gaming landscape worldwide. Innovative Culture: Innovation is in our DNA. Join a team that thrives on pushing boundaries, embracing new technologies, and redefining what's possible in gaming. Endless Opportunities: Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or just starting your career, Light & Wonder offers endless opportunities for growth, development, and advancement. With a wide range of roles and career paths available, the possibilities are limitless. Positive Impact : Beyond creating unforgettable gaming experiences, Light & Wonder is committed to making a positive impact on the world. Join us in supporting charitable initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and giving back to the communities where we live and work. Passionate Community: Join a community of passionate gamers and industry professionals who share your love for gaming and commitment to excellence. Want to know what else you get? Competitive salary and benefits package 4:1 on-site working arrangement Company-paid parental leave Access to the LinkedIn learning suite Novated car leasing Rewards & Recognition Program Employee wellness programs Company-sponsored events and activities Join Us Today! If you're ready to take your career to the next level and be part of a team that's shaping the future of gaming, we want to hear from you! Explore our current openings and apply now to join the game-changing team at Light and Wonder. Light and Wonder is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, age, or background. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. A workplace where you belong: Light and Wonder are committed to creating an inclusive, positive, and safe environment where our Creators feel valued and respected. Celebrating diversity not only enriches the workplace but also promotes innovation and understanding amongst our Creators. Light & Wonder recognizes the importance of embracing diversity and actively encouraging applications from candidates from all backgrounds. When you apply, let us know any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process so we can accommodate you. #LI-ONSITE Qualifications