Lead Technical Animator

Sony Imageworks; Laval; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Animator (Tech) to enhance animation workflows and empower artists. This role involves close collaboration with various department heads to streamline processes, troubleshoot issues, and drive pipeline development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in feature film animation, exceptional technical skills, and a collaborative mindset. Join a dynamic team that values diverse perspectives and creativity, and contribute to innovative projects that push the boundaries of animation. If you're passionate about animation and technology, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in feature film animation or related production environments.
• Strong technical proficiency with Maya and troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and streamline animation workflows and requirements.
• Facilitate communication and problem-solving across departments.
• Manage workflow processes and troubleshoot technical issues.

Skills

Feature Film Animation

Technical Proficiency with Maya

Troubleshooting Creative and Technical Problems

Communication Skills

Optimization and Workflow Management

Collaborative Mindset

Familiarity with Python

Familiarity with MEL

Tools

Maya

SPI Pipeline

Job description

Lead Animator (Tech) - Vancouver or Montreal

Summary

The Lead Animator (Tech) will work closely with the HOCA (Head of Character Animation), Supervising Animators, Asset CG Supervisor, VFX Supervisor, and other department heads to oversee and streamline animation workflows and requirements as well as creative intentions. This includes communicating pipeline needs as well as improving and conceptualizing tools and technology to empower artists.

The Lead Animator (Tech) is responsible for communicating with other departments (specifically Pipeline and downstream) and advocating for the Animators. They will manage workflow processes and troubleshoot technical or creative issues to help empower our Artists. They are responsible for streamlining and maintaining animation workflows needed to deliver unique and show specific storytelling needs, while maintaining an efficient and workable Animation environment.

This role involves facilitating communication across departments, guiding artists, and ensuring the department operates efficiently while meeting artistic goals. The Tech Lead will also play a key role in driving pipeline development and contributing to studio-wide initiatives.

Role Specifics

1. Work closely with HOCA, Supervising Animators, Asset CG Supervisor and VFX Supervisor to create manageable workflows and technical solutions for unique show related needs.
2. Troubleshoot workflow or presentation related technical issues, providing guidance and support to the team.
3. Facilitate communication and problem-solving across departments to address dependencies and challenges.
4. Work closely with Pipeline and Rigging, guide their work, resolving technical problems with scalability and animators in mind.
5. Collaborate with Dev, HOD and Anim TD’s to improve the production pipeline, tools, and methodologies.
6. Manage show specific documentation, the shelf and picker needs.
7. Participate in meetings with leadership to align on technical and creative goals.
8. Drive efficiency in achieving creative objectives.
9. Support studio-wide initiatives and contribute to the unification of pipeline methodologies.

Leading People

1. Create an inclusive and collaborative work environment, encouraging open communication and addressing any challenges.
2. Be a liaison and representative for animation, providing guidance, feedback, and presenting animation challenges and solutions to other departments.
3. Foster team morale, ensuring a positive, inspiring, and productive work atmosphere.
4. Lead a team of fixers to handle technical tasks, freeing animators to focus on the creative aspects of their role.

Communication

1. Provide regular updates to the HOCA and Production Management on progress and challenges.
2. Communicate progress and challenges to HOD/Dev and provide show context when needed.
3. Actively participate in support chats, spotlights, and department meetings, ensuring a broad understanding of the needed workflows and tools in the animation team.
4. Collaborate with other departments to address creative and technical dependencies.
5. Work closely with the Supervising Animators on best practices and proactively help them solve sequence or asset related issues.

Qualifications

1. 5 years of experience in feature film animation or related production environments.
2. Strong technical proficiency with Maya. Some general knowledge of SPI Pipeline is a plus not a requirement.
3. Experience developing or improving animation pipelines is an asset.
4. Demonstrated strong ability to troubleshoot creative and technical problems effectively.
5. Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly present ideas and feedback.
6. Strong drive for optimization and finding easy to understand and clean workflows.
7. Demonstrated experience balancing creative ambitions with production constraints.
8. A collaborative mindset, with the ability to inspire and support teams in achieving their best work.
9. Familiarity with Python or MEL is an asset.

We value unique perspectives, and want diverse, unique talent to work with us. We encourage candidates from all identities to apply.

Please note that you must be able to provide a demo reel that illustrates your relevant artistic and technical experience that also includes the nuances for this specific role.

*Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. Reference: ECNJOBID-3-67-103-209 in the application