This job might no longer be available.

Senior Character Technical Artist

Crystal Dynamics, a part of the Square Enix family and the studio behind Marvel’s Avengers and the award-winning Tomb Raider game franchise, is constantly on the hunt to add even more top-tier gaming talent to our family. We pride ourselves on attracting and developing the best talent available to concept, create, and contribute to the most exciting projects in gaming today. Our 25-plus years of game development experience, as well as our combined AAA game industry pedigree, has established us as one of the premier studios in the world today.

Benefits for this full-time position include a competitive salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options and plenty of days of paid time-off.

Position Summary

The Senior Character Technical Artist will be responsible for creating and maintaining an efficient pipeline, building tools, and working closely with the animation and 3D art teams. The person in this role will be a pro-active problem solver who can demonstrate a strong sense of creativity and respect for aesthetics. This person will have successful track record of improving performance through analysis and optimization while maintaining the visual fidelity of a gorgeous and immersive world. Character Technical Artists must demonstrate their ability to work with both art and science.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Create and update character rigs (both facial and body), including key rigs that can be applied to similar characters
• Develop and maintain pipeline, tools, and processes.
• Research and development, troubleshooting technical issues, and keeping detailed records/documentation of tool creation
• Skinning characters and props. Ensuring that skin deforms properly.
• Scripting in Maya, including MEL/Python/GUI design
• Provide leadership, inspiration, and mentorship for technical artists and animators
• Seek to constantly raise the quality bar, develop solutions, and work with 3D and animation teams to streamline processes.

Position Requirements

• 7+ years of experience working on the technical side of animation and 3D art (in film or games)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Science, or related field, or equivalent years of experience
• Extensive character rigging experience while using Maya.
• Experience building and implementing new pipelines, tools, and processes from the ground up.
• Experience in Maya scripting MEL/Python/GUI design.
• Experience working with both key frame animation and motion capture data
• Keen eye for proper skin deformation, how shoulders and complex joints move, etc.
• Proactive self-starter with a positive attitude
• Strong leadership skills
• Shipped games a plus
• Prior leadership experience a plus

Crystal Dynamics is an EOE and M/F/D/V employer