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Associate Technical Animator

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our squirrels.

We operate as a hybrid-remote studio and currently have locations in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas; and Auckland, New Zealand.

Skills and experience are highly valued at BSG, but we recognize that talent is a product of hard-work, resilience, and a growth-mindset. We champion individuals who have demonstrated they have the grit to overcome challenges and subscribe to the notion that inclusion breeds synergy and innovation. To us, diversity isn't a metric—it's a must!

You've familiarized yourself with the ins-and-outs of game development through professional and/or independent work and are confident in your understanding of the tech art pipeline. You have a solid art and animation skillset but are ready to challenge yourself by starting to take on more responsibilities and larger projects within your specialization. You may have worn a couple of different hats during your early years in the industry, but you've narrowed down your focus and are fixed on harnessing what you've learned and what you will learn to launch your career as a technical animator.

You are collaborative, open-minded, and have an overall pleasant disposition. You can take direction and feedback, are not afraid to ask questions, and understand the value of autonomous work.

Collaborating closely with other technical artists as well as various cross-functional teams, such as Design, Animation, Engineering, and Graphics, the associate technical artist will create and optimize high-quality animation systems, assets, and tools, ensuring a seamless integration process and delivering high-quality visual experiences to our players.

This is a full-time position available to work based out of Orlando, Florida or Seattle, Washington.

The salary range being considered for this role is $62,000 - $72,000. The actual amounts may differ based on experience, performance, and location. These salary ranges do not apply to locations outside the United States.

• Assist in the design and implementation of animation behavior tools and techniques.
• Contribute to the development of complex movement systems that align with project requirements and player experience goals.
• Work closely with senior and lead technical artists to support cross-functional initiatives, including cinematics, asset integration, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure assets are seamlessly integrated into the game environment while adhering to technical specifications.
• Learn and apply scripting skills in languages such as LUA, Python, and JavaScript to automate processes and enhance workflow efficiency.
• Support the development of scripts and tools to streamline asset setup, export processes, and optimization procedures.
• Assist in maintaining project workflow documentation and communicating updates, concerns, and solutions to relevant team members.
• Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions on technical challenges and solutions, always remaining open to feedback.
• Other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned to help complete company or department objectives.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 1+ year of experience as a Technical Artist or Animator, professional, independent, or academic
• Portfolio that demonstrates a solid grasp of visual aesthetics and technical sensibility

• Understanding of animation pipelines and source content creation tools such as Maya, 3DS Max, and MotionBuilder.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as LUA, Python, or JavaScript, with a desire to expand scripting skills under mentorship.
• Familiarity with modern animation behavior tools and concepts.
• Willingness to learn and grow in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong interest in game design principles and cross-functional game development
• Previous experience working in contemporary game engines (Unreal Engine 4/5, Unity, CryEngine3+, etc.) as well as familiarity with associated tools and plugins.
• Passion for video games and game development, with a desire to learn and grow in areas such as animation, gameplay mechanics, and technical design.

• Interest in learning common scripting languages such as MEL script, MAX script, and PyMel, with a willingness to contribute to pipeline documentation and optimization efforts.

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.

We share personal information collected internally, with affiliates and with service providers for the purposes set forth by the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and with your consent. For the avoidance of doubt, Blind Squirrel Games does not sell your personal information to third parties, as those terms are defined in the CCPA.