Senior Technical Animator - Motion Capture Specialist

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first team

Flexible schedule

Career development opportunities

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Animator with mocap expertise to lead the full mocap pipeline, from capture to integration into game engines. You will develop tools and workflows to improve efficiency, collaborating with animators, riggers, and designers to deliver realistic and stylized character motion.

The role is remote-first, offering the autonomy to work from your location while contributing to award-winning titles.

Qualifications

• Proven professional experience as a Technical Animator with mocap focus in games.
• Experience cleaning, processing, and retargeting mocap data in MotionBuilder or Maya.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine or Unity and animation integration pipelines.
• Strong scripting skills (Python or MEL) for tools development.
• Portfolio showing high-quality mocap work and technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the motion capture process from setup to quality control.
• Clean, edit, and process raw mocap data for character performances.
• Retarget mocap data to various rigs with accuracy.
• Integrate animations into Unreal Engine/Unity game engines.

Skills

Mocap pipeline

Python scripting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

MotionBuilder

Maya

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

MEL scripting

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in interactive entertainment, is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Animator with a specialization in motion capture to join their remote-first development team. This pivotal role requires a blend of artistic skill, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of character movement and performance. You will be responsible for the entire pipeline of motion capture data, from acquisition and clean-up to retargeting and integration into the game engine. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional problem-solving abilities, a keen eye for realistic and stylized motion, and the proficiency to develop tools and workflows that enhance efficiency and quality. We are looking for a candidate passionate about bringing characters to life through realistic and compelling motion, contributing to the immersive experience of our award-winning titles. This is a unique opportunity to shape character animation on a large scale, working from the comfort of your own location.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the motion capture process, including setup, data capture, and quality control.
• Clean, edit, and process raw motion capture data to achieve desired character performances.
• Retarget motion capture data to various character rigs, ensuring accurate and believable movement.
• Integrate cleaned and retargeted animations into the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Develop and maintain custom tools and scripts to streamline the mocap pipeline and improve efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with animators, riggers, and game designers to ensure motion data meets project requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to motion capture data and character animation.
• Advise on character rigging best practices to facilitate high-quality animation.
• Stay current with advancements in motion capture technology, software, and workflows.
• Ensure the consistency and quality of character performance across all animations.

Requirements

• Proven professional experience as a Technical Animator with a strong focus on motion capture in the video game industry.
• Expertise in cleaning, processing, and retargeting motion capture data using software such as MotionBuilder, Maya, or equivalent.
• Proficiency with game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and understanding of animation integration pipelines.
• Strong scripting skills (e.g., Python, MEL) for developing pipeline tools.
• Solid understanding of character rigging, anatomy, and animation principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• A portfolio showcasing high-quality motion capture work and technical solutions.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and remote work flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunity to work on highly anticipated, flagship game titles.
• Access to state-of-the-art virtual collaboration tools.
• Professional development opportunities and training.
• Contribution to a cutting-edge, remote-first team culture.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Regular virtual team events and social interactions.