Advanced Gameplay Animator

Certain Affinity, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Certain Affinity, Inc. is seeking an Advanced Animator in Canada to craft and refine in-game animations for AAA titles and original IPs. You will collaborate with the Art Director to visualize motion, test animation assets in engine, and mentor other animators across studios.

The role spans realistic to stylized styles and requires strong communication and time management. Ideal candidates have 4+ years in game animation, shipped 2+ titles, expertise in UE4/UE5, and a deep understanding of

Qualifications

• 4+ years’ experience in the game industry, specifically associated with character and object animation.
• Shipped 2+ titles as an animator.
• Experience establishing and driving new workflows for content creation.
• Experience establishing new tools for both internal and codev project use.
• Expert-level understanding of the principles of animation.
• Experience in UE4 and UE5.
• Excellent understanding of game animation pipelines and workflow.
• Strong communication and time management skills.
• Ability to work within predefined styles from realistic to stylized and effectively communicate this style to the rest of a team.
• Knowledge and application of both keyframe and performance capture animation in a real-time environment.
• Solid grasp of performance requirements and constraints of current-generation console and PC gaming development.
• Solid understanding of how animation by way of performance, staging, dynamics, timing, and pacing influences player response and feedback to help make a game fun and engaging.
• Experience mentoring other artists and animators.
• Must be able to initiate visual direction without specific concept or design.
• A desire to work and support a diverse and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Art Director, Lead Animator & Design team to visualize and integrate motion into a highly immersive world
• implementation of animation assets and testing in engine for accuracy
• Mentor other animators on technique and process
• Create animations in a variety of styles, from ultra-realistic mocap based movement to highly stylized hand-keyed motion depending on the needs of the project

Skills

Animation principles

UE4/UE5

Character animation

Performance capture

Mentoring

Time management

Communication

Tools

Maya

MotionBuilder

Job description

As an Advanced Animator at Certain Affinity, you'll be part of a creative team generating highly polished in-game animations for AAA and original IP titles. This is a great opportunity to assist in the project's design by providing pre-visualization animations for gameplay elements and evolving and refining motion for characters, weapons, vehicles, and environmental objects. Are you looking for an opportunity to work with insanely talented, humble, and collaborative game devs? Then look no further and read on.

*Candidates must be located in Ontario or British Columbia Canada to be eligible for this opportunity.*

Responsibilities

• Work with the Art Director, Lead Animator & Design team to visualize and integrate motion into a highly immersive world
• implementation of animation assets and testing in engine for accuracy
• Mentor other animators on technique and process
• Create animations in a variety of styles, from ultra-realistic mocap based movement to highly stylized hand-keyed motion depending on the needs of the project

Requirements

• 4+ years’ experience in the game industry, specifically associated with character and object animation
• Shipped 2+ titles as an animator

• Experience establishing and driving new workflows for content creation
• Experience establishing new tools for both internal and codev project use
• Expert-level understanding of the principles of animation
• Experience in UE4 and UE5
• Excellent understanding of game animation pipelines and workflow
• Strong communication and time management skills
• Ability to work within predefined styles from realistic to stylized and effectively communicate this style to the rest of a team
• Knowledge and application of both keyframe and performance capture animation in a real-time environment
• Solid grasp of performance requirements and constraints of current-generation console and PC gaming development
• Solid understanding of how animation by way of performance, staging, dynamics, timing, and pacing influences player response and feedback to help make a game fun and engaging
• Experience mentoring other artists and animators
• Must be able to initiate visual direction without specific concept or design
• A desire to work and support a diverse and inclusive environment

Extra Credit

• Experience in the setup, organization, and performance direction of a motion capture shoot
• Expert level knowledge of Maya. MotionBuilder and other 3D animation packages are a plus
• Strong foundational knowledge in traditional arts, including but not limited to graphic design or illustration, life drawing, acting, and cinematography
• Experience working with co-development partners

Salary: $110K CAD-$140K CAD