Gameplay Animator - EA Sports FC

Electronic Arts; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Electronic Arts is seeking a talented Animator to join FC Gameplay in Vancouver, BC. The role focuses on advancing animation quality for gameplay, leveraging Motion Matching, machine learning, and in-engine techniques while maintaining player-focused experiences.

Ideal candidates combine strong animation fundamentals with a passion for sports and games, and enjoy collaborating across disciplines to push the boundaries of motion in interactive experiences.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of animation principles and anatomy, especially athletic movement.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder.
• Highly self-motivated with ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with quick issue resolution.
• Passion for games and sports is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the director to understand the gameplay vision and polish motion capture data into animation sets.
• Collaborate with designers to ensure animation aligns with design goals for animation features.
• Provide feedback on rigs, tools, and animation with leads/technical artists.
• Collaborate with animation and engineering teams to solve unique animation challenges.
• Own end-to-end pipeline from motion capture to in-game implementation.

Skills

Animation principles

Self-motivated

Problem-solving

Passion for games/sports

Tools

Autodesk Maya

MotionBuilder

Job description

Role ID

216111

Worker Type

Regular Employee

Studio/Department

Work Model

Hybrid

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

EA SPORTS is one of the most iconic brands in entertainment – connecting hundreds of millions around the world to the sports they love through a portfolio of industry-leading video games.

Building on an incredible 30-year foundation, we’re redefining football with EA SPORTS FC - a genre-leading ecosystem of interactive experiences, bringing a global community of football fans closer to The World's Game. Together, we’re taking the largest football club in the world to new heights – and this is just the beginning!

With more opportunity than ever to innovate and create new, authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity, and immersion to fans everywhere, we invite you to join us as we pioneer the future of football with EA SPORTS FC, and welcome everyone to the club!

We are searching for a talented and experienced Animator to join FC Gameplay in Vancouver, BC. Our ideal candidate is, like us, passionate about gameplay and advancing animation in a collaborative environment with a team of veteran developers. The ideal candidate will possess a strong problem-solving mentality, have the ability to create high quality animation, maintain a sharp and continued focus on the player experience, and be fearless in the face of new technologies and tools. You will be responsible for supporting the development of current and next generation gameplay animation utilizing Motion Matching, Machine Learning and in-engine techniques (state machines, blueprints, database setup etc.).

Your Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the director to understand the vision for gameplay - Curate, edit, polish, and implement motion capture data into animation sets with a keen eye for quality
• Collaborate with designers to ensure animation is aligned with design goals for animation features
• · Work with technical artists/animators - providing feedback on rigs, tools, and animation
• Collaborate with the animation and engineering team to solve unique animation challenges
• Working with leads/director who will support the end to end pipeline ownership of capturing motion capture and building of animation data to the final implementation in-game

Your Qualifications:

• A strong understanding of animation principles and anatomy, especially in relation to athletic movement.
• Proficient in standard industry tools such as Autodesk Maya/Motionbuilder.
• Highly self-motivated and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills. Must be able to quickly identify issues and resolve them.
• Passion for games and sports is a bonus

Portfolio:

• All submissions must include a portfolio showing personal and professional artwork.

Pay Transparency - North America

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.