Lead Technical Animator
Smilegate Barcelona
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Posted:
March 10, 2023
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Onsite
About the position
The Lead Technical Animator is responsible for bridging the gap between character modelers, animators, and programmers in order to integrate characters, cinematics, and gameplay animations into the game. They will establish tools and pipelines to enhance the character modeling, rigging, cinematic, and animation team workflows, ensuring they align with the game vision and technical limitations of the project. This role also involves implementing character and prop animations into the Unreal engine, creating and maintaining photo-realistic character rigs, and collaborating with programmers to define and achieve character and animation performance targets. Additionally, the Lead Technical Animator may support mocap production, contribute to recruitment projects, and stay updated on VFX and AAA game working practices.
Responsibilities
- Define the animation and cinematic pipelines and assist the animation team to streamline and optimize their workflows in Maya
- Support the animation team to implement character and prop animations into Unreal engine
- Establish and develop the pipeline to deform and animate photo-realistic characters in Maya in an AAA game production
- Create and maintain photo-realistic character rigs that are modular and support multiple sizes, as well as non-biped characters
- Setup and maintain clothing and hair dynamics for all characters, as well as complex props for gameplay and cinematics
- Work closely with programmers to define and implement character and animation performance targets in engine
- Create blueprints and animation graphs inside Unreal engine to support implementation of animation systems and gameplay mechanics
- Support mocap production and offer solutions to streamline it
- Assist in planning and scheduling of technical animation production
- Research and share knowledge of existing VFX and AAA game working practices
- Occasionally support Associate Director in recruitment projects with HR collaboration
Requirements
- 6+ years' experience in AAA video games and at least one AAA shipped title
- Expertise implementing animation tools and pipelines in Maya
- Experience in rigging and skinning photo-realistic characters in Maya
- Experience implementing characters and animations in Unreal engine
- Knowledge of a high-level coding language (Python, C#, C++, etc.)
- Experience in motion capture techniques and Motion Builder is a plus
- Good level of English verbal and written communication skills
- Have a good eye for anatomy
Benefits
- Breakfast in the Office
- Restaurant Tickets: approx 180 € per month (2.160€/year)
- 23 vacation days per year + Christmas to the new year (the office is closed from 24th December to 2nd January)
- Fully stocked studio kitchen (Nescafe coffee, organic fruits, snacks, and beverages)
- 16 weeks Maternity and Paternity leave
- Hybrid work model (3 days in the office, 2 days work from home) and Flexible Friday
- Private Health insurance, including dental coverage
- Incredible office in Barcelona in Torre Glories, 15min from the beach and 1 min from Glories Mall
- Team Building Events
- Relocation Package with VISA support