Technical Animator

Frima Studio • Quebec, QC

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

Ready to take your career to the next level? Frima is looking for a Technical Animator to join a team working on one of our latest co-development projects! We are Frima, a video game development studio based in Quebec City and Montreal for over 20 years, bringing together hundreds of passionate talents united by a single ambition: to create unforgettable games across all platforms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in arts, multimedia, 3D, or equivalent
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in the video game industry
• Highly versatile profile, capable of quickly switching between artistic creation (rigging) and technical aspects (engine/code)
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to create realistic rigs that accurately reflect the models’ morphology (both bipeds and fictional creatures)
• Advanced proficiency in Maya (constraint systems, deformers, expressions)
• Excellent knowledge of Advanced Skeleton and the ability to create custom rigging from start to finish, for both body rigging and facial expressions
• Ability to develop tools (Python/MEL) to optimize Maya and streamline animators’ workflows
• Hands-on experience with integration into Unity (Mecanim, Playables) and Unreal Engine
• In-depth mastery of Unreal Blueprints (specifically Animation Blueprints) and Anim Tree structures
• Good understanding of animation principles
• Ability to document and explain work clearly and concisely
• Strong understanding of rigging, skinning, and technologies related to characters, objects, and environmental elements
• Experience with at least one game release
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken)
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed
• Technical demo required—each rig demonstrated must be accompanied by a written description or presentation notes (e.g., PDF document, website, or video descriptions)

Nice To Haves

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and manage priorities
• Strong background in the arts (theater, multimedia, film, etc.)
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly
• Independence, resourcefulness, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team
• Commitment to quality work and meeting deadlines
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain animation systems in collaboration with animators, game programmers, and other team members
• Provide technical support for animation tools and the game editor
• Assist in the creation of technical tools for DCC and game engines (Maya, Unity, and Unreal)
• Assist in the design, integration, and validation of animations
• Integrate animations into the game engine and ensure they function properly
• Collaborate with animators to ensure that animation features comply with technical, aesthetic, and gameplay constraints
• Research and share knowledge about game engines and industry best practices
• Assist with the planning of animation tasks
• Analyze the pipeline and monitor industry trends regarding best practices in video game animation

Benefits

• 4.5 days of work per week, year-round. (Friday pm off)
• Truly flexible working: 100% remote (for residents of the province of Quebec), hybrid or 100% in person, the choice is yours
• Up to 7 weeks vacation per year, sick days & personal days
• Complete group insurance from day one
• A contribution to your RRSP
• 400$ allowance towards the purchase of ergonomic equipment
• Access to chair massages, fresh fruit and snacks, gym, sports activities, etc
• Regular presentations of projects and new developments
• Close-knit, caring and inclusive teams, even remotely!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior