Gameplay Animator - EA SPORTS FC (12 month contract)

Electronic Arts; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent video game company in Vancouver is seeking a Gameplay Animator to join their team. The role involves curating motion capture data, developing animation tools, and collaborating closely with engineers and artists. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in AAA game animation and a strong understanding of animation principles. This position is hybrid and part of a 12-month contract with potential for extension.

Benefits

3 weeks of vacation per year

10 days of sick leave per year

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Basic life insurance

Complimentary games

Qualifications

• Proven experience in AAA game animation.
• Strong understanding of animation anatomy.
• Experience with motion capture and retargeting.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Curate and implement motion capture data into animations.
• Develop new animation solutions and tools for gameplay.
• Provide feedback on AI-generated animations.
• Direct motion capture to final game implementation.

Skills

Gameplay/Technical Animation

Animation Principles

Motion Capture Management

Proficiency in Autodesk Maya/Motionbuilder

Proficiency in Python

Collaboration with Designers and Engineers

Problem-Solving Skills

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Motionbuilder

Job description

Role ID

212048

Worker Type

Temporary 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.

As one of the largest sports entertainment platforms in the world, EA SPORTS FC is redefining football with genre-leading interactive experiences, connecting a global community of fans to The World's Game through innovation and unrivaled authenticity. With more opportunity than ever to design, innovate and create new, immersive experiences that bring joy, inclusivity, and connection to fans everywhere, we invite you to join our passionate and dynamic team as we pioneer the future of football fandom. We are searching for a talented and experienced Gameplay 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 and be fearless in the face of new technologies and tools. You will be responsible for helping drive the design and development of next generation animation utilizing both Motion Matching and Machine Learning initiatives. This includes providing guidance, feedback & imagining the future of industry leading gameplay animation.

This team works 3 days/week onsite in our Vancouver/Burnaby studio. This is a 12‑month contract to begin with and the possibility of longer term employment.

Your Responsibilities:

• Curate, edit, and implement motion capture data into animation sets to push the limits of our new technologies in Motion Matching and Machine Learning.
• Work side‑by‑side with engineers and animators to develop new animation solutions across Gameplay
• Help design cutting edge animation tools/pipelines for animators and designers in the animation space.
• Provide feedback and collaborate on R&D projects in other focus areas, including procedural runtime systems
• Review the animation results generated by AI models, and provide feedback for areas of improvement.
• Collaborate with partner teams to solve unique animation challenges.
• End to end responsibility of capturing/directing motion capture to the final implementation in‑game
• Coordinate with QA and engineers to validate and maintain the high quality of our animation systems.
• Work closely with the director to understand the vision of animation in Gameplay

Your Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Gameplay/Technical Animator showcased with state machines, motion matching and procedural solutions in AAA games.
• A strong understanding of animation principles and anatomy.
• Experience with managing animation pipelines and workflows.
• Experience with motion capture and retargeting.
• Proficient in standard industry tools such as Autodesk Maya/Motionbuilder.
• Proficient in Python.
• Experience working closely with other domains - especially Designers, Engineers and Artists.
• Highly self‑motivated and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills. Must be able to quickly identify issues and resolve them.
• 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

In British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, and extended health/dental/vision coverage and basic life insurance.

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

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.