Principle Combat Animator

FLIX INTERACTIVE; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Flix Interactive Ltd in the UK is seeking a Gameplay Animator/Combat Designer to own the creation, implementation and feel of character combat from Maya through to Unreal Engine 5.6/5.8. This hands-on hybrid role combines animation with gameplay design, requiring technical in-engine implementation and iterative polish.

You will work with engineers and designers to shape combat feel, build animation blueprints and tune timings, while delivering a fully playable combat experience on PC or console.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in gameplay animation and combat design on PC or console titles.
• Expert, technical hands-on Unreal Engine experience/implementation and strong Maya character animation skills.
• Proven ability to take animation from Maya through to fully playable implementation.
• Deep understanding of action/melee combat, including attacks, combos, hit reactions, dodges, blocks, parries, targeting and enemy interactions.
• Strong subjective judgement around combat feel, not simply animation quality.
• Technically confident with UE5+Animation Blueprints, Montages, Blueprints, root motion, Motion Warping, IK and related animation systems.
• Comfortable changing both animation and gameplay values to achieve the desired result.
• Highly self-sufficient, iterative and able to identify and solve technical problems rather than working within strict disciplinary boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside Lead Gameplay Designer and help to realize the project gameplay feel through animation and implementation.
• Design, prototype and iterate player and enemy combat mechanics.
• Createand manipulatehigh-quality combat animation in Maya and fully implement it inUnreal Engine.
• Own combat feel: responsiveness, weight, impact, timing, anticipation, recovery, readability and player control.
• Build and modify Animation Blueprints, Montages, state logic, blends, notifies, root motion and Motion Warping.
• Tune gameplay values including attack timings, movement, rotation, recovery, interrupts, hit reactions and combo behaviour.
• Rapidly playtest and iterate across animation, Blueprint and gameplay parameters until combat feels right.
• Assist with gameplay cameras for regular combat and special in-game moments such as executions etc.
• Diagnose and solve animation and gameplay implementation problems independently, collaborating with engineers where deeper code changes are required.
• Significant professional experience in gameplay animationandcombatdesign on PC or console titles.
• Expert, technicalhands-on Unreal Engine experience/implementationandstrong Maya character animationskills.
• Proven ability to take animation from Maya through to fully playable implementation.
• Deep understanding of action/melee combat, including attacks, combos, hit reactions, dodges, blocks, parries, targeting and enemy interactions.
• Strong subjective judgement around combat feel, not simply animation quality.
• Technically confident with UE5+Animation Blueprints, Montages, Blueprints, root motion, Motion Warping, IK and related animation systems.
• Comfortable changing both animation and gameplay values to achieve the desired result.
• Highly self-sufficient, iterative and able to identify and solve technical problems rather than working within strict disciplinary boundaries.

Skills

Gameplay animation

Combat design

Unreal Engine 5

Maya

Animation Blueprints

Montages

Root motion

Motion Warping

In-engine implementation

Problem solving

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Animation Blueprints

Montages

Root motion

Motion Warping

IK

Job description

UK Remote or West Midlands-based / Full-Time Contractor

Please note: We welcome applicants who prefer to work from home; however, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity at this time.

Role:

We are looking for a highly experienced Gameplay Animator/Combat Designer to own the creation, implementation and feel of character combat from Maya through to Unreal Engine 5.6/5.8.

This is a hands-on hybrid role for someone who combines excellent combat animation with strong gameplay design instincts and the technical ability to implement, debug and iterate directly in-engine.

You will be expected to take a combat mechanic from an idea to something that feels great in the player’s hands — creating and modifying animations, implementing them in Unreal, tuning timings and gameplay values, and solving technical problemsasrequired.

Responsibilities:

• Work alongside Lead Gameplay Designer and help to realize the project gameplay feel through animation and implementation.
• Design, prototype and iterate player and enemy combat mechanics.
• Createand manipulatehigh-quality combat animation in Maya and fully implement it inUnreal Engine.
• Own combat feel: responsiveness, weight, impact, timing, anticipation, recovery, readability and player control.
• Build and modify Animation Blueprints, Montages, state logic, blends, notifies, root motion and Motion Warping.
• Tune gameplay values including attack timings, movement, rotation, recovery, interrupts, hit reactions and combo behaviour.
• Rapidly playtest and iterate across animation, Blueprint and gameplay parameters until combat feels right.
• Assist with gameplay cameras for regular combat and special in-game moments such as executions etc.
• Diagnose and solve animation and gameplay implementation problems independently, collaborating with engineers where deeper code changes are required.
• Significant professional experience in gameplay animationandcombatdesign on PC or console titles.
• Expert, technicalhands-on Unreal Engine experience/implementationandstrong Mayacharacteranimationskills.
• Proven ability to take animation from Maya through to fully playable implementation .
• Deep understanding of action/melee combat, including attacks, combos, hit reactions, dodges, blocks, parries, targeting and enemy interactions.
• Strong subjective judgement around combat feel , not simply animation quality.
• Technically confident with UE5+Animation Blueprints, Montages, Blueprints, root motion, Motion Warping, IK and related animation systems.
• Comfortable changing both animation and gameplay values to achieve the desired result.
• Highly self-sufficient, iterative and able to identify and solve technical problems rather than working within strict disciplinary boundaries.

The ideal candidate sits at the intersection of Gameplay Animator,Combat Designer, and Technical Animator — someone capable of owning combat from concept through to final playable feel.

What We Offer:

Based just outside Birmingham, Flix is made up of welcoming, passionate, active gamers who support one another in all aspects of development. We offer you to:

• Join afriendly, nurturing work environment with the opportunity to build games as part of an extremely talented, ambitious studio.
• Work on market-leading AAA titles and IP with globally reputable studio and publisher partners.
• Be part of a sustainably growing game developer studio as we consciously expand our team and projects on a case-by-case basis.
• Learn within an independent studio across a wide range of projects and opportunities both internal and external.

GDPR COMPLIANCE – When applying for this job you’re authorising Flix Interactive to store your application information and distribute it to the appropriate email inboxes of senior team members in order to review your role eligibility.

Your application will be stored on a private cloud based online system for processing. If you would like us to update, delete or refine your application please email [e-mail]. Your request will be appended within 30 days of receiving your email.

Please note – In compliance with GDPR law your data will be used for recruitment purposes only. We are unable to accept candidates requiring visa sponsorship for this opportunity at this time.

Flix Interactive Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to inclusion and diversity. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership status. We also encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the gaming industry.

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