Senior VFX Animator (Unity / Spine)

# Senior VFX Animator (Unity / Spine)

We are hiring a Senior VFX Animator for our client — a product-focused gaming company building next-generation interactive gameplay experiences inspired by modern casual and skill-based games.

We’re looking for a hands-on VFX expert with strong real-time production experience in Unity and Spine who can independently own the full VFX animation pipeline — from concept creation to final in-engine implementation.

The ideal candidate combines strong artistic sensibility with deep technical expertise, creating effects that are visually impactful, gameplay-readable, and optimized for real-time performance across mobile and desktop platforms.

You will collaborate closely with game designers, UI/UX teams, engineers, and artists across multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment.

## Responsibilities

### End-to-End VFX Ownership

• Own the complete VFX workflow from concept to implementation
• Create:

• UI interaction animations
• Gameplay and feature-related VFX
• Reward and bonus animations
• Item usage effects
• Gameplay feedback animations
• Translate gameplay requirements into clear and satisfying visual feedback
• Ensure animations improve gameplay clarity, engagement, and user experience

### Real-Time Production & Technical Execution

• Work extensively with Spine for:

• Rigging
• Mesh deformation
• Animation state setup
• Export optimization
• Build and optimize VFX workflows in Unity:

• Particle systems
• Animator & Timeline integration
• UI animation integration
• Prefab organization
• Combine Spine and Unity workflows efficiently
• Optimize assets for mobile and desktop performance
• Maintain strong performance standards while preserving visual quality

### Artistic Quality & Gameplay Readability

• Create animations with strong timing, impact, and rhythm
• Balance visual richness with gameplay clarity
• Maintain consistency with overall art direction
• Improve user interaction through polished feedback systems
• Iterate quickly based on reviews and feedback

### Pipeline & Integration

• Structure assets for clean integration and scalable workflows
• Collaborate closely with engineers on implementation and optimization
• Maintain organized file structures and naming conventions
• Anticipate technical integration issues early in production
• Help improve internal VFX pipelines and standards

### Collaboration & Production Agility

• Communicate effectively with design, engineering, and art teams
• Work across multiple concurrent projects
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and fast iteration cycles
• Participate actively in reviews, testing, and feedback sessions

## Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in real-time VFX and animation production
• Advanced experience with Unity VFX workflows
• Expert-level Spine animation skills
• Strong understanding of real-time optimization for mobile and desktop
• Experience with:

• Particle systems
• Animator / Timeline
• Prefabs
• Texture atlases
• Draw call optimization
• Shader/material setup
• Strong understanding of gameplay readability and animation timing
• Experience shipping mobile or cross-platform games
• Ability to independently solve technical and artistic challenges
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• English or Mandarin or Ukrainian proficiency

## Nice to Have

• Experience in casual games, gaming products, poker, or UI-heavy experiences
• LiveOps or fast-paced production environment experience
• Experience mentoring other animators
• Familiarity with distributed/global teams
• Basic understanding of 3D workflows or real-time lighting pipelines
• Experience with version control systems such as Git

## What Success Looks Like

• High-quality real-time VFX that enhance gameplay and user engagement
• Smooth and optimized implementation across platforms
• Clear gameplay feedback and polished interaction design
• Fast iteration cycles without sacrificing quality
• Strong collaboration between art, design, and engineering teams

## What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package
• Remote-friendly work environment
• Optional relocation support
• Home office & hardware budget
• Flexible paid time off policy
• Learning & development budget
• Referral bonus program
• Long-term product-focused environment with modern workflows