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Senior 3D Animation

HB Studios is a driving force in the creation of sports video games and the studio behind PGA TOUR 2K Golf – presently working on PS4, XBoxOne, and PC. We have an opportunity for a Senior 3D Animator to join our team of developers, creators, and fans, who are passionate about the art and process involved in video game development.

As a Senior 3D Animator, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining top quality character animation for a ‘AAA’ gaming experience, breathing life and personality into the characters within our games. The successful candidate is comfortable with both realistic and stylized animation with the ability to deliver compelling performances on-screen. A proven understanding of human body mechanics and locomotion, working with motion capture (body and facial) to achieve realism in the movements and mannerisms, designing and maintaining animation controllers which bring our characters to life.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Process and retarget motion capture data to game assets (characters) using industry standard workflows.
• Utilize motion capture data as a base to create realistic human motion for gameplay and cut scenes.
• Animate props using rig and constraint systems.
• Animate facial rigs by hand, polishing ‘solved’ facial data or using facial clips layered over mocap data.
• Work within a game engine and pipeline to ensure all completed assets are in a build ready format.
• Maintain a high level of quality working within design and technical constraints while balancing performance issues.
• Collaborate with Software Engineers with implementation, troubleshooting, and debugging of animation systems.
• Participate in team and department meetings and collaborate with team to drive constant improvement and evolution of animation production methods, tools, and techniques.
• Respond to direction with an open-mind and willingness to refine character animation with direct input from the Creative Director, Art Director, Head of Animation, and Art Lead to ensure the highest quality and applicability of the game.
• Meet project deadlines set by Producer and Art Lead and work within pre-defined aesthetic goals.
• Build and maintain good relationships with team members.
• Ensure company art practices are followed.

Contacts and Interfaces

• Head of Animation
• Producer
• Technical Art / Animation
• Art Lead
• Creative Director
• Art Director

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience developing AAA Titles
• Sports knowledge and enthusiasm is a plus
• Expert knowledge and understanding of human body mechanics and locomotion
• Strong animation and technical skills working with Maya, Motion Builder, and Unity
• Knowledgeable in the technical aspects of rigging and skinning characters for animation
• Ability to visualize and design move-groups/controllers
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Ability to work with a high degree of self-direction when necessary
• Ability to consistently exercise sound judgement
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated, creative, outside-the-box thinker