Senior Animator

Job Description

Gaming:

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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.

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Position Summary

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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.

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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.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Design and produce animations for slot game elements, including symbol wins, anticipation effects, reel transitions, feature sequences, jackpot celebrations, and character animations.
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• Translate storyboards and game design documents into fluid, appealing, on-brand animation.
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• Own animation timing and impact — ensuring every win, near-miss, and feature trigger feels appropriately rewarding.
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• Collaborate with Game Designers to align animation pacing with the game's goals.
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• Work closely with Developers to ensure animations are coming up correctly in-engine, troubleshooting playback, timing, and performance issues.
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• Maintain visual consistency across a game's full feature set and across a portfolio of titles/brand guidelines.
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• Prepare and manage animation assets, rigs, and files for efficient handoff and reuse across projects.
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• Review and provide creative and technical feedback on the work of junior and mid-level animators; mentor and upskill team members.
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• Contribute to pitch/concept work, including animatics and proof-of-concept animation for new game pitches.
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• Stay current with animation trends, slot game market trends (locally and internationally), and competitor titles.
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Essential Experience & Skills

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• 4+ years of professional animation experience, ideally within the gaming industry.
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• Prior experience animating for the land-based gaming industry strongly preferred.
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• Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard animation tools; preference for a solid 2D animation core.
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• Strong understanding of animation principles and how to apply them to short-form, high-repetition game content.
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• Experience preparing and exporting animation assets for real-time game engines (**Unity** experience highly regarded).
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• Excellent sense of timing and "feel" for what makes a moment satisfying.
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• Ability to work within technical constraints without compromising quality.
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• Strong communication skills and experience mentoring junior team members or directing animation on a project.
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• A folio demonstrating character, FX/transition, and UI/motion graphics work. Examples of in-field industry work – (titles and aspects worked on) deeply appreciated.
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Highly Regarded

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• Experience with rigging.
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• Illustration or character design skills, and comfort collaborating on style development.
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• Familiarity with the Australian market and regulations.
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• Experience working in agile, cross-functional game development teams.
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• Experience with 3D-to-2D hybrid workflows or particle/FX tools is a plus but not required
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What You'll Need to Bring

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• A strong portfolio/showreel demonstrating relevant 2D animation work (slots/casino, mobile, or broadcast games preferred).
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• Full working rights in Australia.
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Why Join Us?

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• Exceptional Talent: Join forces with some of the brightest minds in the industry and unleash your full potential.
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• Global Impact: Be part of a truly global team and make your mark on the gaming landscape worldwide.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Passionate Community: Join a community of passionate gamers and industry professionals who share your love for gaming and commitment to excellence.
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