Lead Technical Animator

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office setup stipend

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Technical Animator for a fully remote role with our celebrated game studio client. You will lead a global team of technical animators, guide animation systems, and collaborate with programmers and artists to push character fidelity in Unreal Engine and Unity.

The role requires 7+ years in technical animation, 3+ in leadership, expert Maya rigging, Python scripting, and strong pipeline knowledge.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in technical animation for video games, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience leading and managing a team of technical animators.
• Expertise in Maya and advanced rigging techniques.
• Strong proficiency in scripting languages, particularly Python, for tool development.
• Demonstrable experience with game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and their animation systems (e.g., Control Rig, Blueprints, Mecanim).
• Solid understanding of animation principles, character performance, and motion capture data cleanup.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Animation, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical animators, providing guidance and oversight on animation systems and implementation.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize character rigs, animation tools, and pipelines using Maya, Python, and other relevant software.
• Collaborate with game designers and character artists to define animation requirements and workflows.
• Work closely with programmers to implement and refine animation systems within the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Ensure the technical quality, performance, and visual fidelity of all character and object animations.
• Develop and troubleshoot animation-related bugs and issues.
• Create complex animation tools and scripts to improve efficiency and quality for the animation team.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in real-time animation technology and game development.

Skills

Team leadership

Python scripting

Animation pipelines

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Animation / Game Design or equivalent

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Unity

Control Rig

Blueprints

Mecanim

Perforce

Git

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a celebrated game development studio known for its immersive worlds and compelling characters, and they are looking for a Lead Technical Animator to join their fully remote team. This pivotal role involves bridging the gap between animation and game technology, ensuring that character and object movements are not only artistically compelling but also technically sound and performant within the game engine. You will lead a team of technical animators, guide the implementation of animation systems, and collaborate closely with programmers and artists to push the boundaries of character interaction and fidelity. This position demands a deep understanding of animation pipelines, rigging, scripting, and engine integration. If you are passionate about bringing characters to life through masterful animation and innovative technology, and you excel in a remote leadership capacity, this opportunity is ideal for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical animators, providing guidance and oversight on animation systems and implementation.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize character rigs, animation tools, and pipelines using Maya, Python, and other relevant software.
• Collaborate with game designers and character artists to define animation requirements and workflows.
• Work closely with programmers to implement and refine animation systems within the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Ensure the technical quality, performance, and visual fidelity of all character and object animations.
• Develop and troubleshoot animation-related bugs and issues.
• Create complex animation tools and scripts to improve efficiency and quality for the animation team.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in real-time animation technology and game development.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in technical animation for video games, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience leading and managing a team of technical animators.
• Expertise in Maya and advanced rigging techniques.
• Strong proficiency in scripting languages, particularly Python, for tool development.
• Demonstrable experience with game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and their animation systems (e.g., Control Rig, Blueprints, Mecanim).
• Solid understanding of animation principles, character performance, and motion capture data cleanup.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Animation, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a performance-based bonus structure. Our client provides a generous home office setup stipend, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development, including access to online courses and industry conferences. You will be part of a talented and supportive global team dedicated to creating exceptional gaming experiences. The company fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance, ensuring a fulfilling career in the exciting world of game development. This role provides the chance to significantly impact the technical and artistic quality of our award-winning titles from anywhere in the world.