Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) – Remote or On-Site

Studio Wildcard•Seattle, WA

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved. We are expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies. We’re looking for an exceptionally talented Technical Animator who lives and breathes Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. You will own high-impact animation systems that bring creatures, characters, and gameplay to life. This is a systems-focused technical animation role: deep expertise in visual programming (AnimBPs + Control Rig) is the core requirement. Comfort with programming logic is essential, but day-to-day C++ work is not the focus.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title.
Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems).
Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
Experience using Unreal Engine 5

Nice To Haves

C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
Degree in computer science or a related field
Experience with Rigging and Animation Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
Houdini experience

Responsibilities

Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems