UNREAL TECH ANIMATOR 🎮 Freelance Remote for “Ahoy” First-Person WWI Experience 3D Animation

We are seeking a skilled Technical Animator for a freelance, remote position to contribute to the development of an immersive, first-person experience set in a rich, historically inspired world built with Unreal Engine 5.

Our team is small and independent, recently achieved funding through a successful Kickstarter campaign, and is working on an ambitious first-person project titled “Ahoy,” set during the Age of Sail.

This role involves designing and implementing advanced animation systems in Unreal Engine 5, including first-person full-body animations with additive adjustments, motion matching and warping, Control Rig, and procedural animation techniques. Collaboration with fellow animators will be essential for asset preparation and integration. The scope also includes building traversal systems for navigating within tight interior spaces, ladder climbing, and procedural ducking logic. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for optimizing Animation Blueprints, state machines, and animation graphs, as well as mentoring junior team members and supporting other departments with animation-related technical tasks. Contributions to the design discussions related to character systems and locomotion strategies are also expected, along with ownership of animation pipelines for players, AI crew, and land-based NPCs.

Key qualifications include proven experience with Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Control Rig, motion matching, procedural animation techniques, and the creation of Animation Blueprints and graphs. A strong understanding of immersive first-person experiences and the ability to solve traversal and environmental interaction challenges are essential. Excellent communication skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently within flexible deadlines are required.

Nice-to-have skills include experience working with Metahumans and complex facial animation systems, familiarity with Unreal Engine 5’s physics-based animation, IK solutions, ragdoll systems, and scripting or tooling experience in Blueprint, Python, or similar languages. An interest in historical-themed immersive games, grounded worldbuilding, or emergent NPC behaviors is also valued.

This position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, with flexible hours as long as project deadlines are met. You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with a dedicated team where your contributions are valued, and potential options for additional revenue sharing are available.

To apply, please submit your portfolio or reel demonstrating relevant technical animation work focused on Unreal Engine 5, along with your availability, time zone considerations, and your hourly rate or compensation expectations. We look forward to reviewing your application.