Lead Animation Technical Artist

NetEase Games; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NetEase Games in Vancouver is seeking an experienced Animation Tech Lead to drive R&D and quality breakthroughs for a runtime animation system in a high-end PvP shooter. You will shape core systems for aiming, weapon handling, and procedural animation, while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Lead and mentor the animation TA team, set technical standards, and ensure delivery across assets, engines, and live operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in game animation and TA R&D on shooter titles.
• Experience on runtime animation development for high-end PvP shooters is preferred.
• Owns design, R&D, and delivery of core animation systems (aiming, weapon handling, procedural animation).
• Can drive cross-team collaboration to implement animation technical solutions.
• Able to set technical standards and guide animation TAs’ professional growth.
• Familiar with multiple engines and DCC tools; scripting/toolchains are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project’s animation technical approach and establish specifications.
• Design, validate, and implement core solutions for aiming and weapon handling, procedural animation, and state orchestration.
• Collaborate with animation, programming and game design teams to translate solutions into plans.
• Mentor the animation TA team, set technical standards, and drive capability building while prioritizing delivery.

Skills

Animation R&D

TA R&D

Dual-perspective PvP

Technical leadership

Engine familiarity

DCC tools

Cross-team collaboration

AI in animation

Job description

Job Description

1. Responsible for the technical R&D and quality breakthroughs of the runtime animation system for the dual-perspective shooting game, systematically improving character movement, aiming, weapon handling, combat states, and the overall shooting experience.
2. Personally design, validate, and implement core solutions for aiming and weapon handling experience, procedural animation, animation graphs, and state orchestration. Identify and resolve animation quality issues across assets, engine, gameplay, and runtime from both first-person and third-person perspectives.
3. Hold decision-making authority for the project’s animation technical approach. Establish animation technical specifications, review standards, problem-diagnosis methods, and effect acceptance mechanisms. Drive stable mass production and continuous iteration of solutions within the project.
4. Collaborate with animation, programming, and game design teams to translate animation technical solutions into executable development plans and advance cross-team implementation.
5. Lead and mentor the animation TA team through matrix management, with authority to set team technical standards. Responsible for technical direction, coaching on complex issues, capability building, and experience accumulation, while enhancing the team’s ability to independently tackle difficult problems with project delivery as a priority.

Job Requirements

1. Many years of experience in game animation and animation TA R&D, having worked on top-tier high-quality realistic PvP shooter products. Experience in runtime animation development for Call of Duty PvP or equivalent-level shooting projects is preferred.
2. Deep understanding of the feel and runtime performance of dual-perspective shooting games. Ability to independently take ownership of the design, R&D, and closed-loop delivery of one or more core systems, such as aiming and weapon handling, procedural animation, animation graphs, and state orchestration.
3. Complete game development pipeline experience. Ability to independently drive targeted quality breakthroughs in runtime animation — from problem identification and technical validation to cross-team execution and live-operation effect evaluation.
4. Matrix-style technical leadership capability. Ability to set animation technical standards, break down R&D tasks, guide animation TAs’ professional growth, and lead the existing team to upgrade capabilities while prioritizing project delivery.
5. Not limited to a single engine. Familiar with the runtime animation architecture of at least one mainstream or proprietary engine, and able to solve animation R&D problems using DCC tools, scripting, and toolchains. Experience with multiple engines is preferred.
6. Experience in high-quality action game development, international project collaboration, or the ability to balance quality, performance, and maintainability in multi-character, multi-state, high-concurrency multiplayer scenarios is preferred.
7. Ability to use AI/Agents for animation data processing, R&D assistance, tool automation, problem analysis, or workflow efficiency improvements is preferred.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity:

NetEase is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in its workforce. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We also comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding applicants with criminal histories. If you require reasonable accommodation due to a disability during any part of the application process, please email [e-mail].

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