Principal Technical Artist: Animation – Rockstar Games

Festybay; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Impactful work on large-scale projects

Inclusive and collaborative environment

Unique studio location in Leeds

Job summary

A leading game development company in Leeds is seeking a Principal Technical Artist to enhance its animation pipeline and tools. This role requires 8+ years of experience in animation tool development, strong C++ skills, and the ability to mentor junior team members. Join an inclusive team that pushes the boundaries in AAA game development and leaves a lasting impact on the gaming world.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience as a Technical Artist or similar role.
• Experience with full production cycles of released games.
• Strong understanding of the underlying math for 3D animation systems.
• In-engine animation systems experience and knowledge of character rigging.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain animation tools and pipelines.
• Create automated solutions for efficient data processing.
• Provide technical support and mentor junior team members.
• Provide technical support, diagnose issues, and document new tools and workflows.
• Mentor junior team members and participate in code reviews.

Skills

Animation tools development

C++ programming

UI coding using PySide or PyQt

Problem-solving abilities

Tools

C++

PySide/PyQt

Job description

Job Type Full-Time, Permanent

Rockstar Games is seeking a passionate and experienced Principal Technical Artist to join its award-winning development team in Leeds. This role offers the chance to work on large-scale creative projects, focusing on revolutionizing animation pipelines and developing crucial tools for world-class entertainment experiences.

The Role: Driving Animation Innovation

The Principal Technical Artist is key to enabling the Animation team’s creativity by ensuring seamless, efficient, and innovative workflows. You will be responsible for managing complex workflows, developing advanced tools and technologies, and providing essential technical support for a growing Animation department.

• Design, develop, and maintain cutting-edge animation tools and pipelines in both Digital Content Creation (DCC) environments and standalone applications.
• Automation:
  • Create robust automated solutions to efficiently process data without requiring manual user input.
• Work closely with Runtime and Animation teams to advance and push the capabilities of the game engine’s animation features.
• Technical Support:
  • Help diagnose and swiftly resolve unexpected issues affecting animators and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for all new tools and workflows.
• Provide thorough, thoughtful feedback (e.g., during code reviews) and actively mentor more junior team members.
• 8+ years of professional experience as a Technical Artist or in a similar tool‑writing role.
• Production Cycle:
  • Experience working through a full production cycle of a released game or equivalent long-term project/toolset development.
• UI Coding:
  • A strong understanding of coding user interfaces using PySide or PyQt, including advanced feature utilization.
• Foundational Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of the underlying math utilized by 3D animation systems.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering concepts and patterns.
• Programming Skills:
  • Direct experience writing C++.
• Experience working with in-engine animation systems and a deep knowledge of character rigging, related tools, and systems.
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong problem‑solving abilities, capacity for “outside the box” thinking, and experience driving new ideas from initial concept to final product.

Desirable Pluses (Not Required)

• Experience working with package management and deployment systems (e.g., rez, pypi).
• Professional experience as an Animator in games or VFX (though this is a Technical Artist role).
• Experience developing in multi‑platform, multi‑project, or large, multi‑site team environments.

Why Join Rockstar Games?

• Impact: Contribute to some of the most rewarding and large‑scale creative projects in the entertainment medium.
• Culture: Work within an inclusive, highly‑motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with industry‑leading talent.
• Location: Be based in Rockstar’s unique game development studio located in the heart of Leeds.

This is more than just a job; it is an opportunity to leave your technical footprint on some of the world’s most critically acclaimed and successful entertainment franchises. As a Principal Technical Artist at Rockstar Games, your work will directly shape the fluidity, realism, and overall quality of character animation that defines our AAA experiences for millions of players globally.

How to Apply

• Application Instructions:
  • If you are a highly skilled and passionate Technical Artist ready to take on a leadership role in animating world‑class games, we encourage you to apply.
• Required Submission Materials:
  • CV (Curriculum Vitae)
  • Cover Letter (Demonstrating how you meet the specific skills outlined in the Requirements section)

Please submit your CV and a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the required skills listed above.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity, and respect. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.