Senior Animation Programmer

Frontier Developments plc; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading video game developer in Cambridge is seeking an animation programmer to join its talented team. In this role, you will enhance animation technology within the Cobra engine, work closely with animators, and mentor other team members. The ideal candidate will have expertise in C++ and experience with animation systems. Frontier offers a competitive salary and benefits, along with a flexible work environment. This is a great opportunity for those passionate about gaming and technology.

Benefits

Annual success-based bonus

Share option schemes

Life assurance

Private family healthcare

Flexitime working hours

In-house subsidised catering

Cycle to Work scheme

Social activities and events

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with team members.
• Proactive and independent problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of handling complex locomotion and behaviors.
• Experience with physics-driven or procedural animation systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality authored and procedural animation systems.
• Improve animation technology in the Cobra engine.
• Optimize Animation Systems for performance.
• Mentor team members.

Skills

Effective communication

Problem-solving

Feedback skills

Animation systems knowledge

C++ programming

Tools

Maya

Job description

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated animation programmer to work with our highly talented and experienced animation programming team. Working in our in-house Cobra engine you will create technology that improves how we create and use animations, both in developing tools and processes, and working directly on runtime animation systems specific to each game.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Working with Animators and Gameplay Programmers to deliver high quality authored and procedural animation systems.
• Expanding and improving animation technology within the Cobra engine.
• Profiling & optimising our Animation Systems across both the engine and game.
• Prioritising, planning and managing your time with minimal oversight.
• Mentoring team members.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• An ability to communicate effectively with team members.
• A proactive and independent level of problem solving.
• An ability to give and receive constructive feedback in order to strive for continuous improvements.
• Working knowledge of animation systems, handling complex locomotion and naturalistic behaviours.
• Experience creating physics driven or procedural animation systems that work alongside authored assets.
• Good modern C++ programming skills.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Familiarity with game asset pipelines and animation authoring tools such as Maya.
• Experience profiling and optimising for modern consoles.
• Track record of animation programming in AAA games.
• Comfortable working in a large codebase.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

For queries, please email: [e-mail]