This job might no longer be available.

Senior Character TD

Insomniac Games’ Character TDs are responsible for creating character setups, including the rigging of various heroes, enemies, weapons, vehicles and props, and support Animators and other developers with scripts and tools. This talented person will contribute to the design, implementation and maintenance of the animation and rigging pipeline. Also, our Character TD’s develop scripts in support of the art pipeline. Read on for more details, as we are looking for a creative Character TD:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Creates high quality animation rigs, systems, setups, and workflows
• Sets up technical animation/simulation setups for things such as hair and cloth for real-time in-engine or for animation within Maya.
• Writes and maintains scripts using Python and PyMel. General scripting duties include developing systems and workflows for animating and rigging characters, expediting the character setup and animation process, and writing scripts to aid the art team when required
• Possesses a comprehensive understanding of animation techniques for the purpose of proactive problem solving and trouble shooting
• Creates Maya tools and improves the art pipeline between the game engine and Maya
• Contributes to the design and improvement of the character set-up process
• Acts as an intermediary between the animation and technical teams to elucidate the workflows, needs, and terminologies of each team
• Understands (and assists when needed) the entire process of creating cinematics including set construction, camera setup, character blocking, character animation, motion capture, cloth simulation, animation troubleshooting, and ensuring that scenes run properly on the real-time game engine
• Creates simple Entity animations for the purpose of testing new and existing systems, and animates cameras and simple Entities for gameplay and cinematics as necessary
• Edits and improves existing character animation systems, including facial setups and animation transfer tools
• Solid understanding of UI design using PyQT and Python
• Other duties may be assigned

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or five to seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to Five years of experience in character setup, MEL, Python, and PyMel scripting and a comprehensive understanding of all technical aspects of Maya animation.
• Three years of animation training covering all basic animation principals.
• Strong knowledge of Maya and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong working knowledge of MEL, Python, and PyMel scripting as it applies to character setup and animation.
• Basic knowledge of DOS.

Other Skills: The ability to articulate thoughts and ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. This position may be required to help evaluate new technical tools, and make suggestions in either the implementation or practical uses of said tools.

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for- please use the link below to apply. Please also include your updated reel – thanks!