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33 Riot Games Animator Jobs Hiring Near You

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Riot Games Jobs Information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of motion, timing, and storytelling, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender, and familiarity with digital drawing tablets are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help animators collaborate well and bring ideas to life. These skills are vital for producing high-quality, engaging animations that meet project goals and client expectations.

What are some typical challenges animators face when working on collaborative projects?

Animators often collaborate with teams of artists, directors, and sound designers, which can present challenges such as maintaining consistent visual style and meeting tight production deadlines. Communication is key, as feedback and revisions are frequent, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, animators need to be proficient in various software and workflows to ensure their work integrates smoothly with other departments, such as modeling or lighting. Balancing creative vision with technical requirements is a common aspect of the role.

What does an animator do?

An animator is a creative professional who designs and creates moving images for films, television, video games, and other forms of media. They use computer software or traditional hand-drawn techniques to bring characters, objects, and scenes to life. Animators often work closely with other artists, directors, and writers to ensure their animations fit the vision of a project. Their work involves storyboarding, character design, and creating sequences that convey emotion and action. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of movement are essential skills for animators.

What jobs can animators do?

Animators can work in various fields such as film, television, video game development, advertising, and online media. They create visual content using tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and often collaborate with designers, directors, and clients to produce animated sequences or characters.

What is the difference between Animator vs 3D Modeler?

AspectAnimator3D Modeler
Required CredentialsAnimation courses, portfolio3D modeling courses, portfolio
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game companiesDesign studios, game development
Industry UsageBrings characters to life through movementCreates 3D assets and models

While both roles work closely in the animation and gaming industries, an Animator focuses on bringing characters and objects to life through movement, whereas a 3D Modeler specializes in creating the detailed 3D models used in animations and games. Both require similar technical skills and often collaborate on projects, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What is it like to work at Riot Games?

Riot Games is known for its collaborative and innovative culture, prioritizing teamwork, creativity, and player-centricity in game development. The company's structure is divided into various teams, including game development, esports, and community engagement, with a focus on open communication and cross-functional collaboration. Working at Riot Games may appeal to candidates who are passionate about game development, enjoy a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, and are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the creation of engaging and immersive gaming experiences.
Infographic showing various Animator job openings at Riot Games in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.
Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Summary:
Riot Games is a company dedicated to creating player-focused experiences, and they are seeking a Senior Software Engineer for an unpublished R&D product. This role involves designing and implementing scalable gameplay and animation systems, collaborating closely with animators and technical artists to enhance the player experience.
Responsibilities:
• Design, prototype, and implement robust, scalable gameplay and animation systems, evolving underlying systems to improve reuse, polish, maintainability, and performance.
• Contribute to locomotion, movement feel, and animation-driven gameplay systems across multiple gameplay domains.
• Partner closely with animators and technical artists to improve workflows, clarify handoff points, and enable efficient content production.
• Identify technical risks in animation and gameplay systems and collaborate with technical leaders to implement sustainable architectural solutions.
• Contribute to adjacent gameplay domains such as combat systems, camera, VFX integration, or other core gameplay systems as needed.
• Mentor peers across disciplines by sharing insights on animation systems, gameplay feel, and technical problem-solving.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years of professional experience in game development.
• 3+ years of experience developing or supporting animation systems.
• Strong C++ programming skills and solid computer science fundamentals.
• Experience working with Unreal Engine, including its animation systems.
• Experience implementing gameplay systems closely tied to animation.
• Strong debugging, optimization, and performance-tuning skills.
• Experience collaborating effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, with strong product sense and player empathy.
Preferred:
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine internals and extending or modifying engine animation systems.
• Experience improving content pipelines and animation workflows.
• Exposure to related domains such as gameplay VFX, camera systems, etc.
• Experience working on mid-sized engineering teams in a live or in-development game environment.
Company:
Riot Games is a global company that develops online games. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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