Sports Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Electronic Arts (EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment, developing and delivering games, content, and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers. EA SPORTS, a division of EA, is responsible for some of the world’s most iconic sports franchises, including Madden NFL, EA Sports FC, NHL®, and EA SPORTS UFC.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and passionate Cinematic Animator II to join our elite team. This role is pivotal in crafting the high-fidelity character performances and narrative sequences that define the “next-level” emotional immersion our players expect. Whether you are working from our state-of-the-art studio in Orlando, Florida, or our creative hub in Vancouver, B.C., you will be at the heart of the action, blending technical precision with artistic soul.

Feature Details

Company Name Electronic Arts (EA SPORTS)

Job Title Cinematic Animator

Work Model Hybrid (3x per week in-office)

Primary Locations Orlando, FL / Vancouver, B.C.

Employment Type Full-Time, Regular Employee

Department EA Studios – SPORTS

Core Software Maya, MotionBuilder, Unreal Engine (or equivalent)

Electronic Arts is committed to pay transparency and competitive rewarding. The following table outlines the expected base salary range for the British Columbia region. Note that US-based compensation (Orlando) follows a comparable market-competitive structure discussed during the interview phase.

Location Expected Annual Salary Range (CAD)

British Columbia (Vancouver) $91,100 – $126,900

• Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation annually to start, plus 10 sick days.
• Family Support: Paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits (100% of base salary) for new parents (12 weeks maternity, 4 weeks parental/adoption).
• Health & Wellness: Extended medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance.
• Financial Future: Robust retirement planning and savings options.
• Perks: Complimentary EA games and a culture focused on physical, emotional, and career wellness.

As a Cinematic Animator II, your mission is to breathe life into digital athletes and characters. You aren’t just moving joints in a 3D space; you are a digital director and actor combined. You will take ownership of the animation pipeline from the initial “pre-vis” (pre-visualization) phase through to the final implementation within the game engine.

The role requires a delicate balance of keyframe artistry and motion capture (mocap) refinement. You will be expected to take raw data from world-class athletes and polish it into a cinematic experience that feels both authentic to the sport and narratively compelling.

1. Feature Ownership & Mocap Integration You will be the primary driver for specific cinematic features. This involves planning motion capture sessions, directing talent to achieve the desired emotional beats, and then meticulously cleaning and enhancing that data. You ensure that the physicality of the performance translates perfectly to the character rigs.

2. High-Fidelity Keyframing While mocap provides the foundation, your expertise in keyframe animation will be vital for exaggerated athletic movements, complex prop interactions (such as handling a football or hockey stick), and environmental traversal. You must have a “feel” for weight, timing, and silhouettes.

3. Visual Storytelling & Cinematography A Cinematic Animator is also a cinematographer. You will be responsible for animating and staging cameras. This includes understanding lens choices, focal lengths, and framing to support the narrative tone and evoke specific emotions from the player.

4. Technical Collaboration & Integration You will work in the “trenches” with engineers and technical artists. Your goal is to ensure that the transition between a high-octane gameplay moment and a cinematic cutscene is “seamless.” You will use tools like Unreal Engine’s Sequencer to implement and trigger animations in real-time.

5. Mentorship and Workflow Optimization As a Level II animator, you are a leader within the craft. You will provide constructive feedback to junior animators and collaborate with tech art to refine rigs, tools, and scripts that make the entire team more efficient.

• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in game animation, film, or a related high-end CG field.
• Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder.
• Engine Knowledge: Proven experience working within modern game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Frostbite) with a focus on cinematic implementation tools.
• The Portfolio: A strong demo reel is mandatory. We are looking for sequences that show character acting, emotional weight, and a deep understanding of body mechanics.

• Storytelling: A deep understanding of the principles of visual storytelling and cinematography.
• Problem Solving: The ability to troubleshoot technical animation bugs and rig issues independently.
• Communication: Exceptional collaborative skills. You must be able to articulate your creative choices to the Cinematics Director and technical constraints to the engineering team.

• Specialization in facial animation and working with advanced facial rigs (FACS-based).
• Prior experience directing or assisting in a professional mocap volume.
• Familiarity with production management software such as Shotgrid or Jira.
• A genuine passion for sports—understanding the nuances of how a quarterback moves or the tension in a UFC clinch.

At EA, we believe that “Everyone is part of the story.” We are a team where creativity thrives because we invite new perspectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, or veteran status.

Our Commitment to You: We provide a holistic approach to employee well-being. From leadership that actively seeks to bring out your potential to creating a “safe-to-fail” space for experimentation, we empower you to do your best work.

To apply, please ensure your resume is updated and includes a link to your portfolio or demo reel. Applicants for the Vancouver or Orlando locations must be prepared for a hybrid work schedule, as we believe the best collaborative creative work happens when we can connect in person three days a week.

Join us in shaping the future of sports entertainment. Make play happen.