Senior Technical Animator

Placements24; Upington; Híbrido; ZAR 850 000 - 1 100 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Health and wellness benefits

Hybrid work model

Continuous learning and development

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 is hiring a Senior Technical Animator in Upington, Northern Cape. You will bridge animation and programming, building tools, pipelines, and systems to enhance character performances and asset integration into engines.

You will mentor juniors, optimize data, and stay at the forefront of animation tech for high-profile projects in a hybrid work setting.

Qualificações

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, Game Design, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 6 years in technical animation for games, film, or VFX with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in Maya or 3ds Max and understanding of animation principles.
• Experience scripting in Python, Mel, C#, or Lua is essential.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine or Unity and their animation systems is desirable.

Responsabilidades

• Develop, implement, and maintain animation tools, scripts, and pipelines to support workflows.
• Collaborate with riggers to ensure animation-friendly rigs meet technical requirements.
• Work with animators to troubleshoot and resolve animation-related issues.
• Integrate animation assets into game engines or rendering pipelines with optimal performance.
• Develop complex animation systems such as IK/FK switching, control setups, and simulations.
• Optimize animation data for performance and memory efficiency.
• Stay updated with advancements in animation tech, engines, and software.
• Mentor junior technicians and animators with guidance and code reviews.
• Test and validate tools to ensure they meet project needs.
• Contribute creative approaches to character movement and performance.

Conhecimentos

Technical animation

Maya

Python

C#

Lua

Unreal Engine

Unity

Rigging

Tool development

Problem solving

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Animation/CG/Game Design

Ferramentas

Maya

3ds Max

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client, a leading studio in the entertainment industry, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Technical Animator to join their innovative team in Upington, Northern Cape. This role is critical for bridging the gap between animation and programming, focusing on developing and implementing animation systems, tools, and pipelines that enhance the quality and efficiency of character performances and object movements. You will work closely with animators, riggers, and game developers to solve complex animation challenges and ensure seamless integration of animated assets into the game engine or rendering pipeline. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of animation principles, scripting, and engine technologies, coupled with a passion for creating believable and dynamic motion. Based in Upington, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high‑profile projects and mentor junior technical artists. We are looking for a creative problem‑solver who can drive technical innovation and elevate the visual fidelity of our productions. Your expertise will be instrumental in achieving fluid, responsive, and visually compelling animation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain animation tools, scripts, and pipelines to support animation workflows.
• Collaborate with character riggers to ensure rigs are animation‑friendly and meet technical requirements.
• Work with animators to troubleshoot and resolve animation‑related technical issues.
• Integrate animation assets into game engines or rendering pipelines, ensuring proper functionality and performance.
• Develop and implement complex animation systems, such as IK/FK switching, control setups, and physics simulations.
• Optimize animation data for performance and memory efficiency.
• Stay current with advancements in animation technology, game engines, and relevant software.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior technical animators and animators.
• Test and validate animation tools and systems to ensure they meet project needs.
• Contribute to the creative process by suggesting innovative approaches to character movement and performance.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in technical animation for games, film, or VFX, with a strong portfolio showcasing technical animation skills and tools development.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard animation software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max).
• Strong understanding of character rigging and animation principles.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Mel, C#, or Lua is essential.
• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their animation systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to debug complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to manage time effectively and meet project deadlines.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and opportunities for continuous learning and professional development. Employees benefit from a creative and collaborative work environment with access to cutting‑edge technology. This hybrid role allows for a balance of in‑office collaboration and remote flexibility. Join our innovative team in Upington, Northern Cape, and help bring characters to life.