Principal Technical Animator (Artist) - Unreal Animation Blueprint Specialist

Thought Pennies Entertainment is a Role-Playing Game studio creating games focused on social storytelling. We celebrate diversity and a people-first approach to game development. We are fully remote.

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The Principal Technical Animator (Artist)-Unreal Animation Blueprint Specialist has a key role in defining the feel, design, and pipelines for all character and creature animation in an epic-fantasy RPG world. As a partner to the Lead Animator, Gameplay Designers, and Cinematic Artists, this technical animator will work on character pipelines, but specialize in troubleshooting and getting the look and feel of the the animations correctly in the Unreal Engine.

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This role requires a solid understanding of current AAA-quality bars in not only combat animation and player response but also in dramatic performance in the narrative. This is a hands-on role, by which the Technical Animator, equipped with an understanding of current animation authoring technologies, will establish animation workflows that empower designers, artists, and animators to create exceptional combat and cinematic performances.

What you do

• Under guidance of the Technical Art Director, work with designers, animators, tech artists, and engineers to define, create, and support a smooth workflow for animation and design within the Unreal Engine.
• Work closely with the Lead Animator, Combat Designers, and Cinematic Artists on creating, troubleshooting, and testing animation blueprints for Cinematics and Gameplay departments in the Unreal 5.0+ Engine.
• Support and modify blueprints within Unreal 5.0+.
• Assist and supervise the design, integration, and validation of animation assets.
• Train animators in tools and methods for implementing animation assets in Unreal Engine.
• Create and maintain documentation on tools, methods, and training.
• Value schedule and logistics, and partner with production to fit aesthetic goals within them.
• Contribute to a studio culture committed to craft, collaboration, and empowerment.

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What you bring

• 8+ years experience in game development, television, or film with a particularly strong focus on setting up animation blueprints within the Unreal Engine.
• A passion for designing and implementing performant and flexible animation systems.
• Extensive knowledge of Unreal 5’s animation and blueprint system and Maya.
• Experience with Unreal 5’s Sequencer and Control Rig
• Extensive knowledge of procedural runtime animation solutions (IK, ragdolls, retargeting, dynamics) and techniques.
• Detail-oriented problem solving ability, a service oriented mentality, and strong communication skills.
• A passion for exploring and developing techniques and tools that makes everyone’s lives easier.
• Deep knowledge of aesthetics in fantasy action cinematics and melee combat.
• Solid animation fundamentals - understanding of animation principles.
• General scripting and tools building experience

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Plus if you have it

• Prior experience developing 3rd person action games, especially in Unreal 5
• Fluency in one or more programming languages (Python, C#, C++,) and a strong understanding of 3D math principles.
• Experience skinning and rigging body + face assets.
• Hands on animation experience or background
• Knowledge of implementing ragdoll/physics, cloth.

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Application Materials

• Portfolio demonstrating personal or professional work in skinning, rigging, and animation tools and workflows.