nDreams - Technical Animator

Tech Artists; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading VR entertainment studio in the UK is seeking an experienced Technical Animator to develop and maintain animation systems, support the animation team, and integrate assets into the game engine. The ideal candidate should have robust experience with Maya and Unreal Engine, as well as scripting skills in Python. Join a creative culture with flexible hours and great perks including generous holiday and social events.

Benefits

Flexible core hours

20 days holiday (increasing to 25)

Duvet days

Birthday day off

Monthly socials

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a strong technical aptitude and knowledge in Maya and UE4.
• Real-time engine experience, ideally in Unreal.
• Experience with Python and familiarity with Maya API.

Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and maintaining animation systems.
• Participating in design and integration of skeletons and control rigs.
• Providing technical support for character artists.

Skills

Technical aptitude in Maya and UE4

Real-time engine experience

Experience with Python

Rigging and skinning characters

Understanding of animation, timing, and weight

Excellent communication skills

Time management skills

Ability to provide and receive feedback

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Python

Job description

Overview

We are nDreams, an award-winning independent developer and publisher, delivering world-leading interactive VR experiences. Our new VR projects are a leap forward for the studio and we are looking for talented people to help turn them into a reality.

We’ve just launched our latest title Phantom: Covert Ops, a stealth action game redefined for virtual reality, and we couldn’t be more proud of what the team have achieved. Once you’ve seen what we’re up to next, we’re convinced you’ll want to be involved…

What Will You Be Doing?

Developing, testing and maintaining artist-friendly animation systems and pipelines in collaboration with animators, gameplay programmers and other team members as required

Participating in integration of the animation assets into the game engine

Participating in design and integration of skeletons, deformation, and control rigs

Providing support and troubleshooting for animation team

Providing technical support for character artists and animators during entire production process

Working closely with the Principal Animator, Principal Technical Artist, Principal Character Artist and Code Team

Creating concise documentation for toolsets that the team can rely on

Working within a team-orientated environment to maintain the highest quality artwork, evangelising their specialism, illustrating the effectiveness of character and animation pipelines wherever possible, and applying their practical knowledge to the development process of an entire product.

Requirements

Demonstrate a strong technical aptitude and knowledge base in applicable areas of Maya and UE4

Real-time engine experience, ideally in Unreal, creating animation blueprints, designing and supporting in-engine animation tools

Experience with Python and familiarity with the Maya API.

Experienced at rigging and skinning characters, vehicles and props in Maya, with strong understanding of rigging requirements for game engines.

Have a fundamental understanding of animation, timing, and weight.

Be able to work as a part of artistic and technical teams.

Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise their own work schedule.

Able to articulate and receive constructive feedback on their own and peers work.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Consistently strive to maintain or exceed the highest quality standards of the Art Department.

Team culture & Perks

The team at nDreams encourages an open, creative and diverse culture. As part of our growing studio you’ll be empowered to explore your ideas and put your own stamp on the titles you work on.

We offer some great perks, including flexible core hours, share options, 20 days holiday (increasing yearly to a maximum of 25 days), two duvet days, a day off to celebrate your birthday and various monthly socials (including Breakfast Butty Monday and Free Drink Friday)! Our welcoming, open plan office has some great facilities with a cycle station, showers and more all on site.

Interested?

We are looking to fill permanent and Fixed term contract positions based in our modern studio in Farnborough, UK, within easy commuting distance from London and Guildford. Salary is competitive and dependent on your experience.

If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love you to get in touch! Drop us your CV via the link below.