Senior Technical Animator

Activision; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Activision Blizzard is seeking a Senior Technical Animator for a hybrid Toronto-based role. You will contribute to animation pipelines, build robust rigs in Maya, and implement scripted sequences within real-time engines.

This position emphasizes collaboration with designers and multiple animation teams to deliver high-quality content. You should have experience in game scripting, technical art, and Python tooling, with a strong eye for 3D production and problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Experience in game scripting, technical design, animation roles or technical art.
• Professional or personal experience working with real time game engines.
• Proficiency in building skeletons, skinning and rigging in Maya.
• Good understanding of proprietary engine and related tools.
• Strong artistic skills and working knowledge of 3D art production.
• Working understanding of Python tool and pipeline development.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with the development team.
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills.
• Must be flexible and comfortable with prototyping and quick iteration.
• An adaptable and continuous learning attitude.

Responsibilities

• Work with established game engine and animation systems within digital creation tools.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of Designers, Animators and Technical Animators.
• Work quickly and effectively to support content creators.
• Technical design and narrative scene support, and animation prop rig creation.

Skills

In-game scripting

Technical design

Animation/technical art

Real-time game engines

Rigging in Maya

Python pipeline development

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Technical Animation/Art Degree

Tools

Maya

Proprietary engine

Job description

Job Title:

Senior Technical Animator

Requisition ID:

R027891

Job Opening Type:

New Position / Headcount

Job Description:

Your Platform

Sledgehammer Games is a leading developer in the video game industry, best known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise. Since its founding in 2009, the studio has delivered iconic titles like "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare", "Call of Duty: WWII", and most recently, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.” We combinecutting-edgetechnology withcreativevision to produce games that resonate with players worldwide. With a focus on creating high-quality multiplayer experiences and captivating single-player campaigns, we continue to shape the future of first-person shooters.

We are looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our studio team in Toronto, Canada. In this role you will partner closely with our teams at our other studio locations in the United States and Australia in the creation of epic content for some of the biggest games in the world. Ifyou'reready to be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment where your skills can make a real impact, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us.

Please note:This is not a remote role.This is a hybrid position based in our Toronto Studio, offering flexibility with a combination of in-studio and remote workdays. Permanent remote work isnotavailable for this position.

Sledgehammer Games is part of the Activision family and is wholly owned by Microsoft. To learn more about our studio, please visit us at www.sledgehammergames.com or search for Sledgehammer Games on your favorite social media platform.

Your Mission

We are building a culture of collaboration andseekingan imaginative, skillful, and versatile Senior Technical Animatorwith a focus ongame scripting and cinematic scenes implementationto join our team inSan Mateo, California. If you share a passion for developing groundbreaking worlds and player experiences, then this may be the positionyou’vebeen waiting for!

• Work with establishedgameengineand animation systemswithin digital creation tools.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team ofDesigners, Animators and Technical Animators cultivating a positive team dynamic.
• Work quickly and effectively to support content creators.
• Technical design and narrative scenesupport, andanimationproprig creation.

Player Profile

• Experience ingame scripting, technical design, animationrolesor technical art.
• Professional or personal experience working withreal timegame engines.
• Proficiencyin building skeletons,skinningand rigging in Maya.
• Good understanding of proprietaryengineand related tools.
• Strong artistic skills and working knowledge of 3D art production.
• Workingunderstanding of Python tool and pipeline development.
• The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with the development team.
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills.
• Must be flexible and comfortable with prototyping and quick iteration.
• An adaptable and continuous learning attitude.

Bonus Points

• Technical Animation/Art Degree.
• Knowledge of real-time physics and ragdolls, pre-baked simulation, or shader creation.
• Experience inin-game cinematics and capturing and editing skills.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications?Let usdecide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! At Activision Blizzard, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and Guitar Hero. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up.

Ready to Activate Your Future?

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Extended health plan, including medical, dental, vision, lif ted games, and a variety of other benefit programs like supplemental life & critical illness, legal service, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.

The standard base pay range for this role is $130,140.00 - $171,960.00 CAD. These values reflect the expected annualized base pay range of new hires in Ontario, Canada. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.