Senior Technical Animator

Cloud Chamber•Novato, CA

5d•$108,900 - $161,160•Remote

About The Position

As a Senior Technical Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join the development team to shape advanced animation systems and runtime character performance in Unreal Engine 5. You will collaborate with game developers to build scalable technical solutions and animation workflows that support immersive gameplay and bring the world of BioShock to life. The role involves implementing animation assets and systems in Unreal Engine 5; authoring, maintaining, and optimizing Animation Blueprints and runtime procedural systems; refining Motion Matching and advanced locomotion; optimizing assets and systems for runtime performance and memory efficiency; and troubleshooting technical animation issues across Maya and the game engine. You will also work with animation and engineering leads to improve authoring pipelines, document tools and processes, and mentor team members. The position is part of a cross-disciplinary development environment working across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio. The team aims to deliver a world-class AAA experience through collaboration, high standards, and continued attention to technological advancements. For candidates located in Quebec, professional proficiency in both French and English is required.

Requirements

5+ years of professional technical animation experience in video game development.
At least one shipped AAA title.
Deep practical knowledge of UE5 animation toolsets, including Animation Blueprints, Control Rigs, Montages, Notifies, and the Rewind Debugger.
Thorough understanding of procedural runtime animation technologies such as Motion Matching, Motion Warping, Control Rigs, Full-Body IK, Retargeting, Ragdoll, and Cloth.
Solid grasp of human anatomy and kinesiology, including how skeletal mechanics drive deformation rigs and realistic performance.
Clear understanding of traditional animation principles and how to apply them within real-time gameplay constraints.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas clearly and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams.
For candidates located in Quebec: professional proficiency in both French and English, including English communication and technical documentation skills.

Responsibilities

Implement and configure animation assets and systems directly inside Unreal Engine 5.
Author, maintain, and optimize complex Animation Blueprints and runtime procedural systems, including cloth, IK, and secondary dynamics.
Tune, refine, and troubleshoot Motion Matching and advanced locomotion systems to deliver fluid, responsive movement.
Optimize animation assets, runtime systems, and editor frameworks for runtime performance and memory efficiency.
Diagnose and resolve technical animation issues spanning Maya and the game engine.
Partner with animation and engineering leads to refine authoring pipelines, document tools and processes, and mentor team members.
Collaborate across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize creative ambitions and overcome development obstacles.

Benefits

Eligibility to participate in the Company's 401(K) plan.
Eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Medical insurance coverage.
Dental insurance coverage.
Vision insurance coverage.
Basic life insurance coverage.
14 paid holidays per calendar year.
Paid vacation time of 15 to 25 days per calendar year, or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program.
Up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year.
Paid parental and compassionate leave.
Wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support.
Family planning support through Maven.
Commuter benefits.
Reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
The total compensation package may include a bonus and/or equity awards.