Senior 3D Animator & Technical Artist - VFX

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Professional development

Generous vacation policy

Job summary

Placements24's client, a prominent visual effects studio in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior 3D Animator and Technical Artist. This dual role demands expert character animation and pipeline-savvy technical skills to optimize assets for film and gaming projects.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in VFX or gaming, a stellar portfolio, and strong knowledge of Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Python/MEL scripting. Unreal Engine or Unity experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of professional experience as a 3D Animator and Technical Artist in VFX or gaming.
• Strong portfolio showcasing outstanding character animation skills and technical art proficiency.
• Expertise in Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or MEL for pipeline development.
• Experience with real-time engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and their technical requirements.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, anatomy, rigging, shaders, lighting, and rendering.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character and creature animations for film, television, and games, focusing on realism and emotional depth.
• Develop and maintain complex animation rigs, ensuring they are robust, efficient, and artist-friendly.
• Collaborate with the art and technical teams to define and implement animation pipelines and workflows.
• Optimize 3D assets, shaders, and scene setups for efficient real-time and offline rendering.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks and improve pipeline efficiency for the Richards Bay team.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to animation, rigging, and rendering.
• Stay current with industry advancements in 3D animation software, rendering techniques, and real-time technologies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other animators and artists.
• Ensure all assets meet the technical and artistic requirements of the project.

Skills

Character animation

Technical art

Rigging

Python scripting

MEL scripting

Unreal Engine

Unity

Shading

Rendering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or equivalent

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent visual effects studio located in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a highly skilled Senior 3D Animator and Technical Artist. This dual role requires a creative individual with a strong command of character animation and the technical expertise to optimize assets and pipelines for efficient rendering. You will be instrumental in bringing characters and environments to life with stunning visual fidelity, contributing significantly to our projects in the film and gaming industries. The ideal candidate possesses a keen eye for detail, a passion for storytelling through movement, and the technical acumen to solve complex visual challenges within the Richards Bay studio. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on visually spectacular projects and contribute to the artistic direction of our productions.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality character and creature animations for film, television, and games, focusing on realism and emotional depth.
• Develop and maintain complex animation rigs, ensuring they are robust, efficient, and artist-friendly.
• Collaborate with the art and technical teams to define and implement animation pipelines and workflows.
• Optimize 3D assets, shaders, and scene setups for efficient real-time and offline rendering.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks and improve pipeline efficiency for the Richards Bay team.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to animation, rigging, and rendering.
• Stay current with industry advancements in 3D animation software, rendering techniques, and real-time technologies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other animators and artists.
• Ensure all assets meet the technical and artistic requirements of the project.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience as a 3D Animator and Technical Artist in VFX, gaming, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio showcasing outstanding character animation skills and technical art proficiency.
• Expertise in industry-standard 3D software such as Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or MEL for pipeline development.
• Experience with real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their technical requirements.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, anatomy, rigging, shaders, lighting, and rendering.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new technologies and workflows in Richards Bay.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a dynamic work environment. You'll have the chance to work on high-profile projects within our Richards Bay studio, utilizing cutting-edge technology. We provide excellent opportunities for professional growth and skill development, including access to workshops and industry events. Enjoy a generous vacation policy and a supportive team culture. The Richards Bay studio offers a creative atmosphere conducive to innovation and artistic excellence.