Senior Lead Technical Animator
This role sits out of our Toronto, Canada, or Austin, TX Studio Locations
Responsibilities
- Proficient at Python scripting, rigging, and tool development
- Drive the pipeline and tools discussion for the tech animation team
- Seek ways to improve and streamline art pipelines, enhance quality, and increase team efficiency
- Setting up rigs and overseeing the skinning process for a multitude of assets such as characters, creatures, weapons, props, etc
- Setting up runtime solutions for characters and assets in the Unreal Engine, such as control rig, cloth, dynamics, blueprints etc.
- R&D of new technology for DCC or engine content
- Push the boundaries of aesthetic quality while respecting and enforcing project performance constraints
- Work closely with other senior members in various disciplines, such as animation, character art, concept, and tech art.
- Collaborate with tech animators on the team and be a source of inspiration and knowledge in order to mentor junior coworkers
- Carry out key department responsibilities that include team leadership, 1-1’s, interviewing, hiring, and training employees, reviewing work for quality, and appraising performance and resolving issues
Requirements
- 5+ years experience in rigging and skinning characters, creatures, vehicles, and props
- Expert-level proficiency with Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder
- Strong foundation of Python scripting for extending content creation tools and automating tasks
- Actively stay on top of industry trends, technology and techniques and evaluate the impact on current pipelines and processes
- Strong mentorship abilities
- Strong communication skills and desire to collaborate with art, design, and engineering
- Experience in ramping up an animation team in a variety of engines and toolsets
- Experience with motion capture systems
Extra Credit
- Animation key-framing
- Knowledge of C++ or C#
- Experience writing Maya plug-ins
- Strong knowledge of facial rigging and deformation