Technical Animator

Gameloft; Montreal; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Gameloft is on the lookout for a passionate Technical Animator for an innovative Dungeons & Dragons PC/console project. The role involves creating custom rigs, streamlining animation pipelines, and collaborating with talented team members to enhance character lifelike qualities. Join a leading game studio dedicated to crafting diverse gaming experiences and contributing positively to the community.

Benefits

Friday afternoon off all year round

3 weeks’ vacation and mobile days off

Time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Group RRSP program with employer contributions

Great group insurance program

Free 24/7 access to a virtual medical clinic

Referral program with bonuses

Secure bike storage room and commute subsidy

Daily snacks and weekly happy hours

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of Maya.
• Experience writing scripts for automating rigging processes.
• More than 3 years' experience in a professional production environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up complex character and vehicle rigs.
• Create and maintain animation pipeline tools.
• Collaborate with the animation team for motion controls design.

Skills

Maya

Python

Communication

Job description

Here at Gameloft, we create moments of happiness for our players all over the world through exciting gaming experiences. This is our mission, and it has been the same for over 20 years. We are the proud creators of Asphalt, Dungeon Hunter, Modern Combat, and over 200 other great games.

There is a game for everyone, and we are now expanding to cross-platform games on PC and consoles, with titles such as Disney Speedstorm and Disney Dreamlight Valley, to provide our players with even more amazing adventures.

With more than 3,400 passionate Gamelofters across the globe, we take great pride in our differences and draw on them to create games just as diverse as we are.

If you’re looking for a new challenge and want to work with a bold and talented group of people, don’t hesitate to join the game!

Job Description

Join our talented team as we embark on an uncharted gaming adventure! We're on the lookout for a passionate Technical Animator to contribute their skills to our Dungeons & Dragons PC/console project. This innovative game will blend the features of action-RPG/survival with unique elements of life-simulation games to redefine the genre and capture the imaginations of players worldwide.

As part of a team based in Montreal, you will help shape the look and feel of the game’s characters and contribute to building a world full of life and personality.

Reporting to the Animation Director and collaborating with the Senior Technical Animator, the successful candidate will be in charge of the creation of custom rigs, skinning and R&D related to character rigging and run-time animation solutions. Specific tasks will include:

• Setting up complex character/creature/vehicle rigs with secondary dynamic animation support, and possibly environment FX rigs.
• Creating and maintaining animation pipeline tools (tools and methodologies for integrating animations and related assets).
• Writing scripts and creating tools to streamline the rigging setup process.
• Collaborating with the animation team to design motion controls (including facial expression systems).
• Developing secondary dynamic systems both in DCC packages and in-engine.
• Supporting the creation of a character customization pipeline.
• Working closely with gameplay programmers, designers, as well as the character team.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of Maya.
• Experience writing scripts and automating rigging process (Python/MEL).
• Basic knowledge of complex programming is an asset.
• More than 3 years' experience in a professional production environment.
• Experience with Unity (experience with Unreal is an asset).
• Experience setting up custom rigs for characters/vehicles.
• Good understanding of FK/IK rig animation systems for both control and deformation of 3D characters (stylized and realistic).
• Experience with secondary animation systems (cloth/hair simulation / facial).
• Excellent communication skills, able to clearly explain technical solutions to both technical and non-technical teammates.
• Able to adapt to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and remain calm under pressure.

Additional Information

What Gameloft believes in:

We play the good game for a better world. As a leader in the industry, we want to use the power of video games as a force for positive change.
If you join us, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to help the environment, make a difference in communities and build a more inclusive world.

We want our Gamelofters to focus on what matters: creating fun and high-quality games they’ll be proud to share with our players around the world.

To help you succeed in your role, we have some cool perks:

What Gameloft offers:

• Friday afternoon off all year round!
• 3 weeks’ vacation and mobile days off, available as of your start date
• Time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day to help you start the year off on the right foot
• Group RRSP program with employer contributions
• Great group insurance program
• Free 24/7 access to a virtual medical clinic
• The Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Partial reimbursement of your commuting costs (for public transit and/or parking)
• Support for new employees relocating from countries or regions outside Quebec
• Referral program with bonuses
• Regular activities and prizes courtesy of our Social Committee

And at the studio itself:

• Secure bike storage room and a subsidy to encourage active transportation (during the summer)
• Daily snacks (fruit, coffee, etc.)
• Wednesday happy hours
• A game room
• A rooftop terrace
• Studio located near Jarry Park and the charming Mile-Ex and Little Italy neighbourhoods
• Fitness classes at the studio itself or at Jarry Park (e.g., yoga)