Technical Animator

Frima Studio Inc.; Quebec; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangement

Up to 7 weeks vacation

Group insurance from day one

RRSP contribution

Ergonomic equipment allowance $400

Job summary

Frima Studio Inc. in Quebec City and Montreal is seeking a Technical Animator to join a co-development project and help build robust animation pipelines.

You will develop, test, and integrate animation systems with Maya, Unity, and Unreal, provide tool support, and collaborate with artists and programmers. Flexible work options include 100% remote for Quebec residents, hybrid, or on-site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts, multimedia, 3D, or equivalent.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in the video game industry.
• Highly versatile profile, capable of quickly switching between artistic creation (rigging) and technical aspects (engine/code).
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to create realistic rigs that accurately reflect models' morphology.
• Advanced proficiency in Maya (constraint systems, deformers, expressions)
• Excellent knowledge of Advanced Skeleton and the ability to create custom rigging from start to finish, for both body rigging and facial expressions.
• Ability to develop tools (Python/MEL) to optimize Maya and streamline animators' workflows.
• Hands-on experience with integration into Unity (Mecanim, Playables) and Unreal Engine.
• In-depth mastery of Unreal Blueprints (specifically Animation Blueprints) and Anim Tree structures.
• Good understanding of animation principles;
• Ability to document and explain work clearly and concisely.
• Strong understanding of rigging, skinning, and technologies related to characters, objects, and environmental elements.
• Experience with at least one game release.
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
• Technical demo required - each rig demonstrated must be accompanied by a written description or presentation notes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain animation systems in collaboration with animators, game programmers, and other team members.
• Provide technical support for animation tools and the game editor.
• Assist in the creation of technical tools for DCC and game engines (Maya, Unity, and Unreal).
• Assist in the design, integration, and validation of animations.
• Integrate animations into the game engine and ensure they function properly.
• Collaborate with animators to ensure that animation features comply with technical, aesthetic, and gameplay constraints.
• Research and share knowledge about game engines and industry best practices.
• Assist with the planning of animation tasks.
• Analyze the pipeline and monitor industry trends regarding best practices in video game animation.

Skills

Maya

Rigging

Python/MEL

Unity integration

Unreal Engine

Animation Blueprints

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in arts, multimedia, 3D, or equivalent

Tools

Maya constraint systems

Advanced Skeleton

Unreal Blueprints

Anim Tree structures

Job description

Ready to take your career to the next level? Frima is looking for a Technical Animator to join a team working on one of our latest co-development projects!

We are Frima, a video game development studio based in Quebec City and Montreal for over 20 years, bringing together hundreds of passionate talents united by a single ambition: to create unforgettable games across all platforms.

Job Description

We take care of our people

• 4.5 days of work per week, year-round. (Friday pm off);
• Truly flexible working: 100% remote (for residents of the province of Quebec), hybrid or 100% in person, the choice is yours;
• Up to 7 weeks vacation per year, sick days & personal days: your well-being is important to us.
• Complete group insurance from day one;
• A contribution to your RRSP
• 400$ allowance towards the purchase of ergonomic equipment;

Life at the Studio

• Access to chair massages, fresh fruit and snacks, gym, sports activities, etc;
• Regular presentations of projects and new developments: we keep our team up to date on all Frima developments;
• Close-knit, caring and inclusive teams, even remotely!
• Come and discover the rest for yourself!

What your weeks are going to look like

• Develop, test, and maintain animation systems in collaboration with animators, game programmers, and other team members;
• Provide technical support for animation tools and the game editor;
• Assist in the creation of technical tools for DCC and game engines (Maya, Unity, and Unreal);
• Assist in the design, integration, and validation of animations;
• Integrate animations into the game engine and ensure they function properly;
• Collaborate with animators to ensure that animation features comply with technical, aesthetic, and gameplay constraints;
• Research and share knowledge about game engines and industry best practices;
• Assist with the planning of animation tasks;
• Analyze the pipeline and monitor industry trends regarding best practices in video game animation.

Qualifications

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in arts, multimedia, 3D, or equivalent;
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in the video game industry;
• Highly versatile profile, capable of quickly switching between artistic creation (rigging) and technical aspects (engine/code)
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to create realistic rigs that accurately reflect the models' morphology (both bipeds and fictional creatures).
• Advanced proficiency in Maya (constraint systems, deformers, expressions)
• Excellent knowledge of Advanced Skeleton and the ability to create custom rigging from start to finish, for both body rigging and facial expressions.
• Ability to develop tools (Python/MEL) to optimize Maya and streamline animators' workflows.
• Hands-on experience with integration into Unity (Mecanim, Playables) and Unreal Engine.
• In-depth mastery of Unreal Blueprints (specifically Animation Blueprints) and Anim Tree structures.
• Good understanding of animation principles;
• Ability to document and explain work clearly and concisely;
• Strong understanding of rigging, skinning, and technologies related to characters, objects, and environmental elements;
• Experience with at least one game release;
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken);
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed;
• Technical demo required - each rig demonstrated must be accompanied by a written description or presentation notes (e.g., PDF document, website, or video descriptions).

What we value in our team

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and manage priorities;
• Strong background in the arts (theater, multimedia, film, etc.);
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly;
• Independence, resourcefulness, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team;
• Commitment to quality work and meeting deadlines;
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Additional Information

Technical demo required - each rig demonstrated must be accompanied by a written description or presentation notes (e.g., PDF document, website, or video descriptions).

Come and make a difference with us! #FrimaLife

The masculine gender is used only to lighten the text. Only selected candidates will be contacted.