Principal Cinematic Designer

Summary 

We are looking for a Principal Cinematic Designer to spearhead the development of in-game cinematic content for our open-world action-adventure video game. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will be responsible for translating narrative beats into compelling, immersive sequences that integrate seamlessly with gameplay. You will help to guide both the creative vision and the production pipeline for cinematic design, collaborating closely with writers, animators, designers, and engineers to deliver best-in-class visual storytelling. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Lead the design and implementation of cinematic sequences using Unreal Engine’s Sequencer tool. 
• Collaborate with other creative leads to enhance the playable experience with powerful cinematic storytelling. 
• Define workflows and pipelines for cinematic production in partnership with technical and animation leads. 
• Oversee a team of cinematic designers and animators, providing creative direction, mentorship, and feedback. 
• Work with VFX and audio teams to enhance the polish and impact of cinematic sequences. 
• Troubleshoot technical and performance issues related to cinematics. 
• Continuously seek opportunities to innovate and find new methods of cinematic expression that blend gameplay and player agency with strong visual storytelling. 

Core Qualifications 

• 5+ years of experience in cinematic design for games, with at least one shipped title. 
• Expert knowledge of Unreal Engine, especially Sequencer and Blueprint-based cinematic integration. 
• Strong sense of cinematic language: shot composition, lighting, pacing, camera movement, and editing. 
• Experience with motion capture workflows, including blocking, cleanup, and implementation. 
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to align teams around a shared cinematic vision. 
• Comfortable working across disciplines in a fast-paced, creative development environment. 
• Innovative thinker with creative problem-solving skills who thrives in a collaborative team environment. 
• Passion for narrative-driven, immersive gameplay experiences. 

Plus if... 

• You have directed performance capture sessions or worked closely with actors. 
• You have a background in film, animation, or television production. 
• You have worked on open-world or non-linear narrative titles. 
• You are familiar with facial animation pipelines or procedural cinematic systems. 
• You can prototype cinematic systems using Blueprint or scripting tools. 

Description 

• Full-time job with benefits.  
• Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.  
• Office is located near downtown Santa Monica – near metro and freeways. 

The base pay range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) match to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.