Senior Technical Animator

Placements24; Durban; Híbrido; ZAR 277 000 - 517 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Competitive daily rate

Remote-friendly contractor position

Access to industry tools

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 seeks a Senior Technical Animator for a Durban-based contractor role. You will bridge artistic vision and technical implementation, building robust rigs and animation systems for real-time 3D projects.

Responsibilities include rigging, tool development, and collaboration with artists, engineers, and other animators. Experience with Maya/Max/Blender and engines like Unreal or Unity is essential. A strong portfolio is required.

Qualificações

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical animation for real-time 3D applications.
• Strong proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Expertise in rigging, including complex character rigging, skinning, and blend shapes.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or MEL for tool development.

Responsabilidades

• Design, build, and maintain sophisticated animation rigs for characters and props.
• Develop and implement animation systems and tools using scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL).
• Collaborate closely with animators, artists, and engineers to ensure animation requirements are met.
• Optimize animation assets for performance within the target game engine (Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation, rigging, and deformation.
• Create and maintain documentation for rigging and animation pipelines.
• Develop and implement animation blending, state machines, and procedural animation techniques.
• Mentor junior technical animators and contribute to the growth of the animation department.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in real-time animation technology and game development.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of animations across the project.

Conhecimentos

Rigging

Animation systems

Scripting (Python/MEL)

Unreal/Unity

Ferramentas

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client, a prominent game development studio based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , is looking for a highly skilled Senior Technical Animator to join their innovative team. This role is critical for bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical implementation, ensuring character and object movements are fluid, believable, and optimized for real-time performance. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining complex animation rigs, creating robust animation systems, and solving intricate technical challenges. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of animation principles, character rigging, scripting, and game engine integration. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking interactive entertainment experiences and work within a supportive, forward-thinking studio culture in the scenic coastal city of Durban . Your expertise will be vital in bringing virtual characters and worlds to life with unparalleled realism and responsiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain sophisticated animation rigs for characters and props.
• Develop and implement animation systems and tools using scripting languages (e.g., Python, Maya Embedded Language).
• Collaborate closely with animators, artists, and engineers to ensure animation requirements are met.
• Optimize animation assets for performance within the target game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to animation, rigging, and deformation.
• Create and maintain documentation for rigging and animation pipelines.
• Develop and implement animation blending, state machines, and procedural animation techniques.
• Mentor junior technical animators and contribute to the growth of the animation department.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in real-time animation technology and game development.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of animations across the project.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical animation for video games or similar real-time 3D applications.
• Strong proficiency in 3D modeling and animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Expertise in rigging, including complex character rigging, skinning, and blend shapes.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or similar for tool development.
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, including their animation systems.
• Solid understanding of animation principles and character performance.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex technical animation problems.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating technical animation and rigging skills.
• Previous experience in a senior or lead role is highly advantageous.

Benefits

This contractor position offers a competitive daily rate commensurate with experience and the opportunity to work on exciting, high-profile projects. While remote, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team environment, contributing to cutting-edge game development. We provide access to industry-leading software and tools, and the chance to work with a passionate and talented group of creatives. This role offers flexibility and the chance to showcase your specialized skills on a global scale, contributing to innovative projects from the comfort of your chosen location, with potential for extension based on project needs.