Senior Technical Animation Designer

2K; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development company is seeking a Senior Technical Animation Designer to develop and maintain character animation systems for their new project, Project ETHOS. This role requires collaboration with multiple teams to ensure a cohesive and immersive gameplay experience. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in AAA titles, proficiency with animation tools, and strong problem-solving skills, making a critical impact on the game's development process.

Qualifications

• Shipped one AAA title with 4+ years of professional animation experience in Maya.
• Strong understanding of third-person shooter mechanics.
• Experienced in Unreal Engine; knowledge of Blueprints and C++ beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Animation, Engineering, and Design teams for cohesive animation.
• Define goals and implement scalable animation solutions.
• Provide mentorship and document processes for team workflow improvements.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Animation system design

Procedural animation tools

Team collaboration

Animation content creation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Job description

WE ARE GAMEMAKERS

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

We are currently working on Project ETHOS, a new free-to-play, 3rd person rogue-like hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the genre!

What You Are:

We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining animation systems that drive the gameplay motion of our characters. This will include features that support major gameplay mechanics, such as locomotion and abilities, UI selection animations, and procedural solutions.

You will be a communication hub in addition to the technical aspect of the job. You’ll need to ensure that everyone has the information they need to be successful. This role is focused on technical animation, but will also work with design and engineering teams to translate needs across those subject areas.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with teams across Animation, Engineering, and Design to help deliver a cohesive, high-quality animation style that supports an immersive gameplay experience.
• Work with key stakeholders to define goals and implement scalable solutions that streamline animation content creation and integration.
• Take initiative in building and refining animation systems, carefully balancing performance needs with desired in-game behaviors.
• Provide and offer technical support and mentorship to animators, contributing to their development while promoting effective cross-disciplinary communication.
• Regularly document processes and share insights to help improve team workflows and knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications:

• Shipped at least one AAA title with 4+ years of professional animation experience in Maya
• Strong understanding of third-person shooter mechanics and in-engine animation systems (state machines, blendspaces, animation graphs)
• Proficient with run-time and procedural animation tools such as IK, Control Rig, retargeting, ragdolls, and motion matching
• Experienced in Unreal Engine (2+ years), including scripting with Blueprints and/or C++, and solid foundation in vector math and code concepts.
• Skilled at bridging disciplines with strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Continuously up to date with the latest in Unreal, Maya, and animation technologies; portfolio demonstrating expertise.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $91,000 and $150,000 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employees will be in an 'at-will position' and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

SECURITY NOTICE - We have recently been made aware of increasing occurrences of bad actors posing as company HR personnel to gain information from "potential candidates", in the form of job interviews and offers. These scams can be quite sophisticated and appear legitimate.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com and thirtyfirstunion.com accounts.

If you believe you have been a victim of such a scam, you may fill out a complaint form at https://complaint.ic3.gov/ and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ detailing as much as possible. We are taking these matters very seriously and apologize for any inconvenience.

Join our mission: Bring fun, inspiration and awe to our lives and to our community: https://thirtyfirstunion.com/values

31st Union prides itself on the diversity of its team members, partners, and communities. For this reason, we remain committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of the employment relationship, from recruitment and hiring through compensation, benefits, discipline and termination. This means that employment at 31st Union depends on your substantive ability, objective qualifications and work ethic – not on your age, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), height, weight, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), alienage or citizenship status, transgender, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition, AIDS/HIV, denial of family and medical care leave, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, pregnancy status, childbirth, breastfeeding (or related medical conditions), marital status or registered domestic partner status, political activity or affiliation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, arrest record, or taking or requesting statutorily protected leaves, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are also committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the job application and/or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need to request reasonable accommodation.

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