Wargaming is hiring 3D Character Animation Team Lead

Wargaming , an award-winning global leader in the gaming industry, is embarking on its most ambitious journey yet. Headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus, and operating 15 world-class studios globally—including hubs in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, and Tokyo—we have spent over 25 years defining the free-to-play landscape with hits like World of Tanks and World of Warships.

Now, Wargaming is expanding our creative horizons. We are looking for a 3D Character Animation Team Lead to join our Warsaw studio to help anchor a groundbreaking, unannounced AAA title. This is a rare “ground-floor” opportunity to shape the technical and artistic foundations of a massive project while mentoring a diverse team of talented animators. At Wargaming, we don’t just make games; we build ecosystems where veterans and fresh talent collaborate to push the boundaries of real-time graphics.

Job Overview : 3D Character Animation Team Lead

Category Details

Company Name Wargaming

Position Title 3D Character Animation Team Lead

Employment Type Full-time

Work Location Warsaw, Poland (Onsite)

Salary Range 18,000 – 28,000 PLN Gross Monthly

Contract Type Employment Contract (Umowa o pracę)

Core Software Maya, Unreal Engine / Unity

Required Seniority 5+ Years Professional Experience

The Role: Visionary Leadership & Technical Mastery

As the 3D Character Animation Team Lead, you sit at the intersection of creative storytelling and technical execution. You aren’t just managing a schedule; you are the guardian of the “feel” of the game. You will translate the Art Director’s vision into fluid, responsive movements that resonate with players. This role requires a hybrid professional—someone who can dive deep into a complex rig in Maya one hour and lead a high-level production meeting the next.

• Creative Execution: Create and oversee high-fidelity in-game character animations that define the project’s visual style. This includes everything from subtle idle bipedal movements to complex creature mechanics.
• Cinematic Integration: Lead the creation of immersive cutscenes, ensuring a seamless transition between gameplay and narrative moments.
• Technical Rigging: Oversee and execute the rigging of characters, vehicles, and environmental props, ensuring they are optimized for the game engine.
• Pipeline Optimization: Evaluate and improve the animation production pipeline. You will be tasked with identifying bottlenecks, improving workflows, and implementing new tools to enhance team efficiency.
• Mocap Leadership: Manage the integration of Motion Capture data, ensuring it is cleaned, retargeted, and polished to meet AAA standards.
• Team Mentorship: Act as a technical and artistic beacon for the animation team. You will mentor junior and mid-level animators, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work in lockstep with the Art Director, Character Artists, and Technical Artists to maintain a cohesive visual identity across the game.
• Performance Management: Ensure all content meets strict technical requirements for real-time graphics while managing deadlines and resource allocation within the animation department.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate for this role is a veteran of the animation craft who finds equal joy in the “how” (the technical pipeline) and the “what” (the final artistic performance). You are a leader who inspires by doing and someone who thrives in the high-stakes environment of AAA development.

Core Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience animating characters within a high-end production environment (Maya is preferred).
• Mechanical Understanding: Deep confidence in animating both organic characters and complex mechanical vehicles.
• Technical Rigging: Proven experience in character rigging and a solid understanding of skeletal structures.
• Real-Time Expertise: A comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and limitations of modern game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity, or proprietary tech).
• Leadership Instincts: Demonstrated ability to lead a team, manage project timelines, and provide constructive feedback that elevates the work of others.
• Language: Professional fluency in English is required for collaboration across our international offices.
• Legal Status: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Poland at the time of their application.

Standing Out from the Crowd

While the above are required, we are particularly interested in candidates who bring:

• AAA Pedigree: Experience working on at least one successfully released AAA title.
• Multi-Disciplinary Skills: Knowledge of 2D animation fundamentals, modeling, VFX, or sound design.
• Technical Curiosity: A history of experimenting with AI-driven animation tools or procedural animation systems.

Why Wargaming Warsaw?

Our Warsaw studio is a vibrant hub of innovation. We have tailored our benefits to reflect the local culture while maintaining the high standards of a global industry leader. We believe in taking care of our people so they can focus on making world-class games.

• Financial Stability: A competitive monthly salary with the security of a standard employment contract (Umowa o pracę).
• Work-Life Balance: Additional paid time off, including 5 Personal Days and Birthday Leave , on top of statutory vacation.
• Health & Wellness: 100% sick leave compensation (up to 10 days), premium private healthcare, and access to the iFeel mental well-being program.
• Professional Growth: Dedicated budgets for career development, workshops, and international education opportunities within the Wargaming network.
• Gaming Culture: A personal gaming account, Multisport card, and frequent company events to celebrate our milestones.
• Recognition: Seniority Awards and a lucrative referral program for bringing more top talent into the fold.

How to Apply

Wargaming is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of their background.

To Apply: Please submit your CV and Portfolio/Demo Reel in English . Your reel should clearly demonstrate your leadership in character and vehicle animation, as well as your rigging capabilities.

Wargaming is hiring 3D Character Animation Team Lead