Technical Animator

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs, and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sport through industry-leading sports video games, including Madden NFL football, EA Sports FC soccer, NHL® hockey, and EA SPORTS UFC .

Job Description:

You will own features in the game with oversight by senior animators. Responsible for taking animations from mocap shotlist to engine. Working with designers and engineers to ensure animations are technically sound and fit the design.

Your Responsibilities:

• Work with artists, technical artists - providing feedback on rigs and tools
• Provide feedback and mentoring to junior animators on the team
• Help ensure that the flow between game-play and cinematics appears as seamless as possible
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams of designers and engineers, taking animations through the entire production pipeline.
• Plan and direct mocap sessions, demonstrating ownership of animation features.
• Address and fix animation-related bugs and issues.
• Attend and actively participate in continuing education to enhance skills and stay updated on industry trends.
• Create engaging in-game animations, leveraging state machines, and motion matching techniques.

Your Qualifications:

• Proven experience in animation within the gaming or related industry, supported by an impressive reel showcasing diverse animation work.
• A reel showcasing animation work, formal education or a demonstrable skillset to validate applicable animation abilities.
• Proficiency in animation software like Motion Builder or Maya, with the ability to deliver quality work on deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to handle different aspects of the animation pipeline.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to participate in planning, estimating, and scoping animation tasks.
• Familiarity with state machines and motion matching concepts, even if not extensively experienced.

Beneficial Qualifications

• Experience working with Slack/Jira/Shotgrid (or similar)

• A passion for sports and football knowledge, contributing to sports-themed game development

• Experience with planning, estimating, and scoping animation projects.
• Knowledge of motion capture planning and direction.