Animateur.trice avancé.e / Advanced Animator

WB Games; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WB Games in Montreal is seeking an Advanced Animator to create high-quality animation content for real-time gameplay and cinematics. You will collaborate across various disciplines to advance the project’s vision while implementing best practices for a seamless animation workflow.

The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience in video game development, particularly with AAA titles, and a strong understanding of gaming engines like Unreal 5. A portfolio demonstrating animation skills is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in video game development with at least 3 AAA games.
• Strong eye for cinematic storytelling.
• Experience managing outsourced content and working with external teams.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters for memorable storytelling.
• Produce and optimize gameplay animation graphs.
• Support integration of animation assets into the game engine.

Skills

Excellent communication and organizational skills

Excellent understanding of in-game engines

Strong animation foundations for body mechanics

Proficient with 3D animation software (Maya, Motionbuilder)

Good understanding of Python/MEL/Maxscript

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Maya

Motionbuilder

Job description

Advanced Animator

In this role, you will be responsible for creating high-quality animation content for real-time gameplay and cinematics for our games, thereby helping to bring the project’s vision to life. Your primary objective will be to implement gameplay features into the game engine by working closely with the different departments, while also providing secondary support for cinematics.

You will also be involved in defining best practices, processes, and pipelines with the goal of improving workflow while establishing a high standard of visual quality. With the ultimate aim of creating high-quality content and storytelling, you will need to collaborate across different disciplines including characters, art, technical animation, narrative, and programming in order to advance the vision coherently while respecting technical constraints and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for animating characters and bringing life to our games with memorable storytelling under WB branded IPs.
• Produce, maintain, and optimize gameplay animation graphs (NPCs, 3Cs, Combat).
• Support and improve the integration of animation assets into the game engine.
• Central point between Programming, Design and Animation teams.
• Work closely with the Animation team to define, create and maintain the animation pipeline.
• Be versatile working with motion capture data, keyframe animation, and in-engine manipulation of animation content.
• Work with production and associated departments to prototype new gameplay features.
• Participate in departmental meetings to share feedback while defining the look and feel of content on screen.
• Assist in R&D efforts for tools improvement and evaluation of new technology.
• Deliver tasks on time and on schedule and review content in engine.
• Animation bug fixing and support.
• Mentor and provide support to the animation team, especially to less experienced members.
• Be the first line of defense on the content side when a technical problem arises.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of experience in video game development and have worked on at least 3 AAA games.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Excellent understanding of in-game engines; knowledge of Unreal 5 is highly desired.
• Excellent technical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong animation foundations for body mechanics, posing and timing.
• Strong animation foundation for facial animation and acting.
• Strong eye for cinematic storytelling with camera language, acting and directed mise-en-scène.
• Proficient with 3D animation software (Maya, Motionbuilder, etc.).
• Proficient with the motion capture production process and able to support the pipeline.
• Good understanding of Python/MEL/Maxscript or similar systems is a plus.
• Positive attitude and strong understanding of the game development process and art/animation pipelines on PC and consoles.
• Experience with managing outsourced content and proven ability to work with outsourcing and external development teams.
• Portfolio/Demo Reel/Website demonstrating your animation skills is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Warner Bros. Discovery is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability and require adjustments or accommodations during the application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions on how to submit your request.