Senior Technical Artist (Rigging) - EA SPORTS Technology

EA SPORTS; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 122,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

EA SPORTS in Vancouver, BC, is seeking a Technical Artist to drive character deformation, rigs, and animation for EA SPORTS titles. This onsite role collaborates with Art Directors, Engineers and Artists to push visual fidelity and optimize workflows.

Requirements include 5+ years in games production, a related degree, expert skin deformation knowledge, Maya/Houdini, and Python scripting. Onsite 3 days/week at EA Vancouver; 12-month contract with potential extension.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of games production experience in technical art/rigging/animation.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a related field.
• Expert knowledge designing complex skeletons, control rigs, and skin deformations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Art Directors, Development Directors, Artists and Engineers to achieve high fidelity deformation content for EA Sports games.
• Refine and improve workflows to tackle technical challenges and increase efficiency.
• Leverage common technology and implement techniques to solve character animation and deformation challenges.
• Mentor newer artists and partner with leadership on new initiatives.

Skills

Games production

Skeletons & rigs

Skin deformation

Animation principles

Python scripting

Unreal/Unity/Frostbite

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Unreal

Unity

Frostbite

Job description

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.

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fansevery 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.

Important Note

This team works onsite at EA Vancouver (Burnaby office). Applicants are required to work onsite 3 days, Tuesday - Thursday every week. This is a 12-month contract with the possibility of longer term employment.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs, and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sport through industry-leading sports video games, including Madden® NFL and College Football®, FC® soccer, NHL® hockey, and EA SPORTS UFC®.

EA SPORTS Tech provides specialized technology teams working on modern character motion, content pipelines and workflows, machine learning, game security, dev ops, long lead feature and technology development for all EA SPORTS titles, and improves Frostbite engine workflows and solutions for all in partnership with engineers. As part of EA SPORTS Tech, the Technical Art Team helps push visual boundaries and experiences for our players. We invest in future technologies, shared tooling, and production workflows. We combine creativity and imagination with technical expertise. We are a diverse group that encourages team members to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to work every day.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Art Directors, Development Directors, Artists and Engineers to achieve the highest fidelity deformation content for EA Sports games.
• Refine and improve workflows to tackle technical challenges and increase efficiency.
• Leverage common technology and implement techniques to solve character animation and deformation challenges.
• Partner with leadership to implement new initiatives and mentor newer artists.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of games production experience working in technical art/rigging/animation desired (cinematic experience also considered).
• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in a related field.
• Expert knowledge designing complex skeletons, control rigs, secondary animation (fat, jiggle, muscle sim), and skin deformations.
• Strong understanding of human anatomy and animation principles.
• In depth expertise with relevant 3d software packages such as Maya and Houdini.
• Experience with asset optimization challenges and real-time limitations specific to character deformation.
• Proficient scripting/programming in Python (C++/C# a bonus).
• A willingness to jump into the unknown and solve new problems to resolve technical challenges and limitations.
• Experience in working with content-driven game engines (e.g. Unreal, Unity, Frostbite) desired.
• A Passion for Games!

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).

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$122,300 - $170,700 CAD

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

In Canada, 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.

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.