Lead Technical Animator

Warner Bros. Discovery; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global media and entertainment company based in London is seeking a Lead Technical Animator to oversee and develop a technical animation team. Responsibilities include supervising rig creation and enhancing pipelines. Candidates should have strong expertise in rigging and Python, with experience in engine animation, particularly in Unity or Unreal. This role offers a hybrid work model, blending remote work with on-site collaboration.

Qualifications

• Applicable understanding of anatomy and body mechanics.
• Strong working knowledge of Python in Maya.
• Experience with gameplay technical animation, particularly in Unreal.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and create high‑quality rigs.
• Collaborate with teams to improve pipelines.
• Lead and support the technical animation team.

Skills

Understanding of anatomy and body mechanics

Rigging/technical animation experience

Python in Maya

Engine animation experience (Unity/Unreal)

Tools

Jira

Shotgrid

Motionbuilder

C++/Maya API

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next.

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Who We Are…

Rocksteady Studios is an award‑winning, critically acclaimed video game developer founded in 2004. We are the developer of the award‑winning Batman: Arkham series. Our philosophy for game development is all about treating people well to create quality entertainment that stands the test of time.

We’re a one‑project studio that built our success by combining genre‑defining gameplay and character‑driven cinematic narrative with AAA production values. Born in the heart of London, our multicultural team takes inspiration from the culture and history of our home in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Your New Role…

Rocksteady is looking for a Lead Technical Animator to join our dedicated and collaborative team working on AAA titles. The role involves leading, supporting and developing our team of technical animators. You’ll also be applying your technical expertise directly by creating rigs, developing pipelines, and collaborating with art and animation teams to solve all kinds of problems.

Your Role Accountabilities…

• Supervise and create high‑quality character, body and facial rigs.
• Collaborate with the art and animation teams to assist on technical challenges and improve pipelines and processes.
• Integrate, research and develop new technologies and tools to advance quality, efficiency and adaptability of animation, rigging and art pipelines.
• Create schedules and roadmaps alongside the production team.
• Lead and support the technical animation team through hiring, mentoring and running 1‑to‑1s and appraisals.
• Create and manage documentation for tools and processes within animation and asset production.

Qualifications & Experience…

• Applicable understanding of anatomy and body mechanics.
• Relevant rigging/technical animation experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Python in Maya and coding standards and practices.
• Engine animation experience (Unity/Unreal).

Bonus Points:

• Experience with gameplay technical animation – such as state machines, cloth, physics and ragdoll setups – particularly in Unreal.
• Experience with Jira and/or Shotgrid.
• Experience with Motionbuilder, Motionbuilder API and mocap processes.
• Experience with facial rigging.
• Programming knowledge such as C++/Maya API & Plugin Writing.
• Interest and experience with machine learning.
• Knowledge of vector maths, linear algebra and matrices.

Hybrid Working –

This role is advertised as a hybrid work model, that combines remote and in‑office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your line manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your line manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

How We Get Things Done…

This is probably the most important part. Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day‑to‑day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal‑opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page (http://careers.wbd.com/global/en/accessibility) for instructions to submit your request.