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Senior Technical Animator

The role

As a Senior Technical Animator at Sharkmob, you will be a key leader responsible for ensuring that character animations are not only visually impressive but also seamlessly integrated into the game engine. You'll collaborate closely with animators, artists, and engineers to develop and implement advanced animation systems, rigs, and pipelines, contributing to the creation of immersive and visually stunning characters.

Responsibilities

• Character Rigging: Lead and contribute to the creation of complex and highly efficient character rigs that support a wide range of character types and animation styles. Ensure optimal deformation, control systems, and rigging workflows.
• Animation Pipeline Development: Spearhead the development and optimization of the animation pipeline, focusing on efficient data management, animation blending, retargeting, and transitions. Implement best practices to ensure a streamlined workflow.
• Animation Tools and Scripts: Develop and maintain custom animation tools, scripts, blueprints, and plugins that empower animators to work more efficiently. Collaborate with the technical animation team to create solutions that enhance the animation process.
• Motion Capture Integration: Oversee the integration of motion capture data into the animation pipeline. Refine and adapt motion capture data to match the game's style and technical requirements. Collaborate with motion capture teams to ensure high-quality data capture.
• Technical Problem Solving: Act as a technical problem solver, addressing complex animation-related challenges. Lead efforts to resolve issues related to character deformations, animation artifacts, and performance optimization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with animators, artists, designers, and engineers to understand animation requirements and implement solutions that align with artistic and technical goals. Serve as a bridge between these disciplines, fostering effective communication.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Provide mentorship and guidance to junior technical animators, helping them develop their skills and expertise. Lead by example, setting a high standard for quality and innovation in animation technology.
• Quality Assurance: Take a head role in testing and debugging animations within the game engine. Ensure that character animations meet both artistic and technical specifications and perform optimally in-game.
• Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Maintain comprehensive documentation for animation pipelines, rigs, and tools. Promote knowledge sharing within the technical animation team and across the development organization.

Requirements

• Extensive Professional Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience as a technical animator in the video game industry, with a strong portfolio showcasing significant contributions to published games.
• Technical Proficiency: Exceptional expertise in character rigging, animation tools, and animation pipelines. Proficiency in animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender. Strong programming/scripting skills in languages like Python, MEL or C++.
• Problem-Solving Expertise: Proven ability to tackle and solve complex technical challenges related to character animation, deformation, and performance optimization.
• Collaboration: Outstanding communication skills. Ability to inspire a team, work closely with cross-functional groups, and convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Willingness to adapt to evolving project requirements and embrace emerging technologies and techniques in animation.
• Portfolio: A portfolio demonstrating your senior-level technical animation work, including character rigs, animation tools/scripts, and examples of successfully resolved technical animation challenges.
• Passion for Games: A deep passion for video games and a strong understanding of game design principles. A commitment to contributing to the creation of immersive and engaging gaming experiences.

Sharkmob London is a brand-new AAA studio in the heart of London, with aspirations to build one of the largest and most creatively ambitious development teams in the world. Just like the original Sharkmob studio in Malmö, Sharkmob London was founded by a team of industry veterans. As a part of Tencent Games we have the experience, backing, and ambition to build the games of the future!

At Sharkmob, we are committed to building an inclusive team that represents diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skillsets – because we believe that helps us create great games. We welcome all candidates that are aligned with our core values of shared ownership, smart decisions and last but not least – having fun!

Remuneration and benefits

• Competitive salaries based on up-to-date data from external benchmarking providers & reviewed annually.
• 30 days annual leave, in addition to all UK Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid work-from-home policy.
• Discretionary annual performance-based bonus.
• Private pension (10% total, up to 5% individual contribution matched by Sharkmob).
• BUPA private Healthcare, Cigna dental cover, life insurance scheme and income protection policy.
• £425 yearly preventative healthcare allowance.
• Core studio hours 10:00-16:00 with 1 'wellness hour' to be used per week.
• Daily breakfasts, snacks & refreshments at the studio.
• VISA sponsorship (individual & dependents).
• Relocation assistance for people outside the UK (1 month accommodation, flights/travel paid for, logistics/removal costs reimbursed).
• Assistance for people relocating within the UK (reimbursement for expenses on travel into London for flat viewings and moving vans/couriers)