Senior Animator

Dovetail Games; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Dovetail Games is seeking an experienced Animator with technical abilities to work on existing titles and upcoming projects. Join their growing studio and contribute to game development using cutting-edge technology, while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Opportunity to work fully UK based remote

VISA sponsorship available

Half Day Pay Day holiday

My Rewards benefits package

Mental Health Support

Cycle to work and tech scheme

Amazon Voucher on your birthday

Regular social and sporting activities

Qualifications

• Experience in the games industry as an Animator.
• Understanding of Rigging and Animation transfer pipelines.
• Knowledge of Advanced Skeleton is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Produce animations based on production design.
• Character Rigging and Skinning capabilities.
• Manage and maintain animation libraries.

Skills

Animation skills

Problem solving

Maya

Creativity

Collaboration

Tools

UE4

3DS Max

Maya

Job description

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• Location: UK Remote / Office Based, Chatham

The Role

Want to work for a growing studio where you will have a direct and significant impact on the future of our games and new projects?

Dovetail Games are committed to promoting diversity, and all applicants will be considered on their merit, qualifications, competence, and talent regardless of any protected characteristics. At the individuals request all roles will be considered for part time, term time only and job shares.

With a huge emphasis on our culture and wellbeing you’ll experience an environment where you will be challenged but supported. We have an industry leading work life Balance and flexible working is offered from day one! Want to work fully remote as that’s where you do your best work? That is fine by us, though certain roles will require a more hybrid style with time in office.

Our studio is situated in a river-front building in the heart of the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, UK. We are growing fast, developing our games using cutting-edge technology and delivering these on multiple platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox One and Series S/X

We are looking for an experienced Animator with technical ability, to work on our existing titles and planned upcoming projects. A successful candidate should have a great understanding of the fundamentals of animation and how they relate to game animation and the ability to implement animations in the Unreal 4 & 5 Editor.

Leading and working with the character and animation team you’ll be integral to the vision of our games, bringing characters into our world that helps immerse our players in their experience, shaping the simulations to satisfy our high quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Produce animations as needed by interpreting the intention of the Production/ Design team as well as art leads.
• Character Rigging and Skinning capabilities.
• Be able to quickly prototype animation systems such as working with state machines and blend spaces that will serve as a basis for animation- and gameplay-related discussions.
• Apply animation principles to create high-quality character and vehicle animations while optimizing them to meet technical constraints.
• Ability to work with designers, programmers and other departments to realise gameplay to a high quality.
• Estimate the time required to carry out own tasks and manage time to meet deadlines.
• Be confident to own an animation set and able to input creative solutions to gameplay problems.
• Ownership of the animation pipeline.
• Manage and maintain animation libraries.
• Develop and evolve pipelines for efficiently, getting animation from 3D tools such as 3DS Max, Maya into UE4 engine technologies and continuously improve character rigs and pipelines to reduce time from concept to game ready assets.

What We Look For In You

• Experience working in the games industry as an Animator, you may be looking for your next step up to Senior level and have a drive and passion to progress your career.
• Understanding of Rigging and Animation transfer pipelines.
• Knowledge of Advanced Skeleton would be beneficial.
• Advanced knowledge of Maya.
• Must exhibit strong traditional animation skills and be able to demonstrate that knowledge.
• Knowledge and practical use of UE4, UE4 Blueprints, State machines and Blendspaces is desirable.
• Knowledge in UE5 would be beneficial.
• Your creative passion will shine through but you’ll also be a practical problem solver.
• You will be resourceful, self-motivated and organised.
• Excellent written skills; strong soft skills, a friendly and open nature with a passion for building high functioning teams.

Why work for us?

• Opportunity to work fully UK based remote.
• VISA sponsorship available on qualifying roles.
• Explorer policy, allowing you to roam up to 4 weeks of the year without using your leave.
• Half Day Pay Day holiday – adding 6 days to allowance.
• My Rewards benefits package including health cash plan, eyecare and 24/7 digital GP service.
• Mental Health Support, including Mental Health First Aiders and in house Connect 5 training for Line Managers
• Cycle to work and tech scheme.
• Green Car benefits scheme provided by Tusker.
• Amazon Voucher on your birthday.
• Branded merch and swag.
• Access to funded fitness events and health checks.
• Regular social and sporting activities, including charity fundraising.