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Lead Technical Animator [Avatar Frontiers] (f/m/d)
2 years ago
Job Description
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
As part of Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, you will play an instrumental role in bringing to life the beautiful and dangerous world of Pandora. This is a unique opportunity to keep growing your experience in games while working hand in hand with Disney’s creative minds and James Cameron's production company, Lightstorm Entertainment.
What You'll Do
As our new Lead Technical Animator you will be leading and managing the Animation and Technical Animation teams in our project, setting objectives for both short and long term, driving quality standards and collaborating with Directors to deliver AAA game experiences.
- You will collaborate with the Art Director, Technical Art Director and Animation Director to create animations that fit to the visual style of the project and set a new benchmark on animation quality for the team.
- Together with your teams you push the technical boundaries of our animation systems and help the animation teams to create outstanding gameplay animations in Snowdrop™
- You set ambitious goals for your teams and follow through on the achievement while making sure your teams have the necessary knowhow and resources.
- Your experience enables you to identify issues and blockers in our complex animation pipeline and you are able to identify improvements on the engine together with programmers.
- Continuous improvement of our animation state machines and runtime solutions is at the heart of your daily business
- You feel at home in the middle of modelling, rigging, animation, game design and gameplay programming and strive for creating vivid gameplay experiences by bringing all groups together.
- You understand yourself as a servant leader for your team and you build, develop and nurture a strong, empowered team with a healthy, diverse and supportive team culture and act as coach for each team member
Qualifications
What You Bring
Our new team member would have a high degree of self-motivation and initiative. You'll be able to communicate well and have a keen eye for animation.
As a passionate and valued lead technical animator on the team you will be positive and forward thinking and be able to anticipate the needs of the project and your team.
- 5+ years’ experience as an Animator or Technical Animator in game development with a strong understanding of rigging, skinning, keyframe animation, motion capturing and procedural animation.
- You shipped at least 1 AAA title in a leadership role, ideally as lead animator or lead technical artist on action-focussed games. You provide a strong practical understanding of animation logic: node graphs, animation trees and similar engine editors and technologies.
- You know the toolslike Maya, Motion Builder or 3DSMAX inside-out and have an understanding how these tools can be adjusted to production needs.
- You are able to work with a complex animation system and complex animation state machines and you are familiar with in-game engine implementation of animation features.
- You bring a deep understanding for the workflows and tools in animation production with the ability to modify and improve them.
- You are a strong communicator and can easily discuss and negotiate on a professional level with people up and down the hierarchy and are fluent in English, both verbally and written.
Bonus
- We highly value additional experience and skills in high-fidelity motion capturing, rigging, modelling or texturing.
- The ability to create custom tools and scripts is a great plus.
- Being an avid gamer is not required but helps to understand the players needs.
Additional Information
What We Bring
We offer a highly motivating opportunity for team players interested in showing personal initiate in an innovative and international company. If you are passionate about video games and would like to join an industry leader please apply via our career portal.
- Relocation and Visa Support
- 26 days paid vacation per year. Additionally, you will get half a day off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and 11 bank holidays
- Our Ubisoft Blue Byte Academy offers multiple opportunities for you to discover your full potential and develop yourself in various areas.
- Opportunities for growth on your desired career path: Leadership training, workshops, guest speakers from the industry, online Ubisoft learning platform, coaches, Experts and library.
- German classes for free. Main language in the studio is English.
- Company Pension Scheme
- Up to 350€ childcare support per child per month.
- Discounted Games and all games on Ubisoft Connect for PC
- Gym Subsidy. We contribute 50% (up to a maximum amount of 25€) towards the monthly cost of a gym membership of your choice.
- Monthly Mobility Budget. 80€
- All Legal residents of Germany are entitled to free public healthcare
PORTFOLIO
For us to review your application it would be great to see a portfolio of your work together with your application.
It would be great if it contain:
- A detailed shot breakdown of your work, including what you are responsible for in your reel, portfolio, screenshots etc.
- Examples of character animation (full body motion, emotions etc.)
- Examples of animation style variety
- Examples of environment animation or visual effects
- Examples of animation rigs and their functionality in a 3D package
For further information please check:
- www.bluebyte.de
- www.bluebyte.ubisoft.com/en/portfolio/the-avatar-project/
Company Description
About Ubisoft Düsseldorf
Ubisoft Düsseldorf is home to several teams dedicated to deliver AAA excellence and innovation across a wide portfolio of games and technologies. The studio is leading the development of beloved Ubisoft games like The Settlers and the innovative VR escape room experience Prince of Persia: The Dagger of Time. As renowned co-developers within the Ubisoft group, Ubisoft Düsseldorf contributes to high profile projects such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Snowdrop and Ubisoft Connect.
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