Principal Technical Animator

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Technical Animator to work within our highly experienced Animation team. In this role you will join the Technical Animation department of Technical Animators, Riggers and Animation Programmers to help support our Animators with genre leading tools and pipelines. We are looking for an experienced Technical Animator who will own and push-forward our big-picture animation and rigging authoring pipelines.

Our catalogue of games has a wide range of requirements to fit different animation targets and art styles, and our animation pipelines and tools needed to reflect that. With such a diverse set of needs, we require lateral thinking and flexibility to be able to get the best out of our animation team.

This role can be on a hybrid working basis, which means you’ll have the opportunity to spend time working both in the studio and at home. We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• With the support of the Head of Technical Animation and Head of Animation, understand and provide the tools and pipeline requirements of the Rigging and Animation teams
• Own and develop our existing rigging and animation tools and workflows
• Research and develop new technologies and solutions
• Implement and uphold coding standards and practices for the Animation and Tech Art departments
• Provide feedback and guidance for junior Technical Animators and other Python users such as Riggers or Technical Artists
• Liaise and collaborate with other departments to implement or improve workflows
• Support the Animation teams with knowledge and solutions beyond DCC packages, including helping with problem solving for Perforce and Frontier’s Cobra Engine
• Support resolving day-to-date technical issues that the animation departments may run into

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Demonstrable Python scripting skills
• Deep understanding of creating scripts and tools for DCC applications such as Maya
• Excellent understanding of animation and rigging pipelines
• A showreel that demonstrates technical animation capabilities such as tools development and clear, technical problem solving
• Experience developing animation and rigging pipelines for Maya in a professional environment
• Great communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to discuss ideas and processes that will impact the end-users of our work
• An eye for animation
• Great analytical and problem solving skills
• Self-driven with a passion for pioneering new solutions
• Keen learner able to take on feedback for own development, and provide feedback for the development of the wider team
• Professional experience using Maya

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Experience within Unreal, Unity or other games engines, with regards to technical animation or rigging
• Knowledge of QT & PySide
• Knowledge of MotionBuilder, and other DCC packages
• Knowledge of Unreal’s Control Rig systems
• Knowledge of game development pipelines, and experience working in a game development environment

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.