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Lead Technical Artist (Characters)

Forge alternate worlds that deepen players' lives! We're a game development studio based in Los Angeles, dedicated to the idea that online games can deliver deeper, more meaningful experiences.

We’re looking for a talented Lead Technical Artist (Characters) with a keen attention to detail and a passion for high-quality character performances and industry-leading innovative artist-friendly and real-time solutions.

Expectations and Responsibilities:

• Lead our Character Technical Artists in developing high-quality tools, pipeline and character rigs that support the fidelity of animation we are striving for.
• Work closely with our Art leadership and animators to help define the vision and set a high-quality bar for our in-game and cinematic animation performances.
• Be the connective tissue across disciplines to ensure we are aligned on how to achieve compelling character performances.
• Develop a pipeline with the art team to create efficient and scalable workflows.
• Be able to work with designers and the art team to make fun and enjoyable experiences for players.
• Create tools and pipeline solutions that are optimized for quality and productivity.
• Create prototype solutions as part of our explorative process.
• Mentor & manage a team of talented Character Technical Artists.
• Work in collaboration with our outsourcing partners to enable quality asset generation.

Requirements:

• Degree in a related field or equivalent industry experience.
• 5+ years of AAA games industry experience working as a Senior Technical Artist (Characters).
• Leadership and management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of UE4 animation systems and state machines.
• In-depth knowledge of Autodesk Maya.
• Able to write clean and extensible code using Python or Mel.
• Experienced in character and facial rigging.
• Cutting edge knowledge of technical art trends and techniques.
• Motivated by and is a strong advocate for a collaborative work environment.
• Effective at working in cross discipline teams to achieve a shared mission.
• Motivated by creating great games.

Preferred:

• Experience working with art outsourcing.
• Animation experience, the ability to speak “animation”.
• Experience in C++
• Familiarity with network replication.
• Portfolio showcasing a breadth of work in a range of styles.
• Experience and interest creating Stylized or 3rd person games.
• Other disciplines such as Shader Development, Node-Based Scripting, Procedural Asset Creation, VFX, Character Modeling are considered a huge plus.
• A passionate gamer on your own time.

Location:

• Choice of Remote (in approved states) or Hybrid office options in Los Angeles, CA, or Orange County, CA (office location pending) unless noted above
• Aligned to core Pacific Coast hours (10:00am - 4:00pm PT)
• Remote eligible locations: Quebec, Canada, or in one of the following US states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington

About S6:

We’re a game development team based in Los Angeles, dedicated to the idea that online games can deliver deeper, more meaningful experiences.

With our first project Palia, we’re exploring new styles of game design and tackling difficult technical problems to create a game that’s beautiful and intricate, delivering far more than superficial entertainment or basic wish fulfillment, an experience that becomes a meaningful part of your life. Our vision is to create a compelling virtual universe filled with rich and diverse gameplay experiences and social interactions that will keep you playing for years, evolving along with you and the rest of the community. We want our players to feel valued as well as a true sense of belonging.

Sounds ambitious? We think so, too. If you’re interested in the challenge of building a new genre, in making rewarding interactive and community experiences filled with amazing art and world class technology to support this living world, join us on the journey.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. We're excited to hear from you!

Check out our announcement trailer! https://youtu.be/lP009fvbt8c