3D Animator

Ludia; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid options

Flexible hours

Day-one benefits

RRSP match

Generous vacation

Job summary

Ludia in Montreal is seeking a seasoned 3D Animator to contribute high-quality animations for characters and creatures across multiple titles in our portfolio.

You will collaborate with the Lead Animator and cross-disciplinary teams to deliver expressive, gameplay-ready animations that support the visual identity and personality of each character.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in 3D animation, ideally in the video game industry.
• Concrete experience in character and creature animation for games and a good understanding of mobile gameplay-related needs.
• Excellent mastery of the fundamental principles of animation: timing, weight, poses, silhouettes, anticipation, rhythm, and body mechanics.
• Very good understanding of anatomy and movement.
• Experience with 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Good understanding of animation pipelines and the integration of animations into a game engine.
• Knowledge of rigging and skinning allowing for effective collaboration with technical teams.
• Experience with Unity or another game engine, an asset.
• Good artistic sense, observation, and movement skills.
• Autonomy and ability to identify and solve problems proactively.
• Ability to effectively receive, interpret, and integrate feedback.
• Good collaboration skills with different disciplines, notably Art, Design, and Programming.
• Ability to communicate ideas and technical needs clearly.

Responsibilities

• Design and create high-quality 3D animations for characters, creatures, and other animated elements of the game.
• Create animations that support gameplay mechanics while respecting the art direction and the personality of the characters.
• Work on locomotion, gameplay actions, interactions, reactions, and contextual animations.
• Ensure the fluidity, readability, and consistency of movements in a game context.
• Participate in the exploration of movements to define character personalities.
• Collaborate with programmers and designers to integrate, test, and adjust animations in-game.
• Assist in implementing animation systems for fluid transitions and responsive gameplay.
• Identify visual or technical problems and propose adapted solutions.
• Work within project constraints while maintaining high quality.
• Participate in animation reviews and integrate feedback to improve work.
• Define and maintain animation quality standards with Lead Animator.
• Collaborate daily with Art, Game Design, and Programming teams to meet gameplay needs.
• Estimate workload effectively and communicate challenges, respecting deadlines.
• Contribute to developing animation methods, tools, and best practices.
• Share knowledge and contribute to a collaborative culture.

Skills

5+ years in 3D animation

Animation principles mastery

Autonomy & problem solving

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Tools

3ds Max

Maya

Unity

Job description

Ludia is an innovative and dynamic studio specializing in mobile game development. Based in Montreal since 2007, over 3.5 million players around the world dive into our universes every month. Our portfolio combines iconic global franchises and original creations, including Jurassic World™ Alive, Jurassic World™: The Game, Dragons: Rise of Berk, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legends, and many more.

With more than 500 million downloads since our founding, we’re entering an exciting new chapter as an independent studio; one where growth is fueled by the passion of our team and our players.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a 3D Animator working on several games in our portfolio, you will contribute to bringing a wide variety of characters and creatures to life by creating expressive, dynamic animations tailored to gameplay needs.

Working closely with the Lead Animation as well as the Art, Game Design, and Programming teams, you will participate in all stages of animation production, from motion exploration to their integration and validation in-game. You will ensure that the animations support both the visual identity and the personality of the characters, as well as the readability and responsiveness of the gameplay.

You possess an excellent understanding of the principles of animation, movement, and body mechanics, while being comfortable with the technical realities of game production. Autonomous and collaborative, you identify potential challenges, propose adapted solutions, and contribute actively to improving the quality of the animation for the project.

Animation & Gameplay

• Design and create high-quality 3D animations for characters, creatures, and other animated elements of the game.
• Create animations that support gameplay mechanics while respecting the art direction and the personality of the characters.
• Work on different types of animations, including locomotion, gameplay actions, interactions, reactions, and contextual animations.
• Ensure the fluidity, readability, and consistency of movements in a game context.
• Participate in the research and exploration of movements in order to define the behaviors and personality of the characters.

Integration & Quality

• Collaborate with programmers and designers to integrate, test, and adjust animations directly in-game.
• Participate in the implementation and adjustment of animation systems to ensure fluid transitions and a responsive gaming experience.
• Identify visual or technical problems related to animations and propose adapted solutions.
• Work within the technical and performance constraints of the project while maintaining a high level of quality.
• Participate in animation reviews and integrate feedback to continuously improve the quality of the work.
• Work closely with the Lead Animator to define and maintain the animation quality standards of the project.
• Collaborate daily with the Art, Game Design, and Programming teams to meet gameplay needs.
• Effectively estimate workload, communicate potential challenges, and respect production deadlines.
• Contribute to the development of the team's animation methods, tools, and best practices.
• Share knowledge and contribute to a culture of collaboration and constructive feedback.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of professional experience in 3D animation, ideally in the video game industry.
• Concrete experience in character and creature animation for games and a good understanding of mobile gameplay-related needs.
• Excellent mastery of the fundamental principles of animation: timing, weight, poses, silhouettes, anticipation, rhythm, and body mechanics.
• Very good understanding of anatomy and movement.
• Experience with 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Good understanding of animation pipelines and the integration of animations into a game engine.
• Knowledge of rigging and skinning allowing for effective collaboration with technical teams.
• Ability to work with technical constraints and adapt animations to performance and gameplay needs.
• Experience with Unity or another game engine, an asset.
• Good artistic sense, observation, and movement skills.
• Autonomy and ability to identify and solve problems proactively.
• Ability to effectively receive, interpret, and integrate feedback.
• Good collaboration skills with different disciplines, notably Art, Design, and Programming.
• Ability to communicate ideas and technical needs clearly.
• Sense of organization and ability to effectively manage priorities in a production environment.
• Curiosity and interest in the evolution of animation tools, techniques, and workflows.
• Hybrid position requires being at the office for key moments.
• Eligible applicants must be located in the province of Quebec and have working rights in Canada.

WHY LUDIA?

At Ludia, we believe in creating a workplace as inspiring as the games we produce. Here's what you can expect:

Flexibility: Hybrid options, flexible hours, and a vibrant downtown Montreal studio.

Wellness: Competitive pay, day-one benefits, RRSP match, generous vacation, and mobile days.

Growth: Training, mentorship, workshops, and career opportunities in gaming.

Culture: A team of passionate gamers making memorable experiences worldwide where innovation and creativity thrives.

We value and celebrate diversity in our team, and we are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, and we are excited to hear from everyone!