Technical Designer in Animation

Epic Games; California (MO); On-site; USD 118,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Epic Games is seeking a Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join our team and design gameplay animation systems that deliver high-quality character motion. You will serve as the primary contact for animation implementation issues and work closely with Animation, Design, and Programming to ensure a smooth animation pipeline.

You will help identify issues, deploy solutions, and bridge communication between animation and other departments, contributing to pipeline improvements and training.

Qualifications

• Strong animation sense with understanding of realistic and stylized motion
• Expertise with animation pipelines including Maya, MotionBuilder, Unreal Engine and Control Rig tools
• Exceptional problem-solving ability with strong written communication and teamwork
• Familiarity with gameplay animation tools and concepts; Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints required
• Experience with AAA game development, preferably on a large team using Unreal Engine
• Self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and ability to work independently
• Coding knowledge or experience with C++ is not required

Responsibilities

• Creation of animation behavior tools and techniques to build complex movement systems
• Design and implement animation state machines and runtime solutions
• Collaborate with Animation, Design, and Programming to analyze and solve animation implementation issues
• Work with animation leadership to maintain style and quality bar for animations
• Identify performance bottlenecks and contribute to pipeline improvements and training materials

Skills

Animation sense

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication

Independent work

C++ not required

Tools

Maya

MotionBuilder

Unreal Engine

Control Rig

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

ART

What We Do

Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.

What You'll Do

Epic Games is looking for a Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join our team working across various animation systems. As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to design and create gameplay animation systems that facilitate appealing, high-quality character motion. You will be the primary point of contact for animation implementation issues and any animation-related technical challenges, and you will work closely with Animation, Design, and Programming colleagues to ensure the animation pipeline operates smoothly and efficiently. You will also help identify potential issues and deploy correct solutions, using your technical knowledge to help bridge and facilitate communication between the animation team and other departments.

In this role, you will

• Creation of animation behavior tools/techniques/philosophies that allow the building of complex movement systems
• Design and implement animation state machines/behaviors and runtime solutions
• Work closely with the Animation, Design, and Programming departments to analyze, troubleshoot, and solve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges
• Closely collaborate with the animation leadership to maintain the style and quality bar for animations in the game
• Look for opportunities to improve the animation pipeline/workflow and help provide solutions for technical animation problems, including performing training and creating documentation for the animation team

What we're looking for

• A strong animation sense with a clear understanding of realistic and stylized character motion and how to achieve them with modern animation methods
• Expertise with animation pipelines, including source content creation tools such as Maya, MotionBuilder, and the Unreal Engine, using our Control Rig tools
• Exceptional problem-solving ability with strong written communication and teamwork skills
• Familiarity with gameplay animation tools and concepts, such as blend trees and state machines; experience with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints required
• Experience with AAA game development, preferably on a large team using Unreal Engine
• Self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently
• Coding knowledge or experience with C++ is not required

This role is open to multiple locations in North America (including CA & WA).

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren't limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic's generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

California Base Pay Range

$129,273 — $189,600 USD

Washington Base Pay Range

$117,521 — $172,365 USD

ABOUT US

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.