d3t and Coconut Lizard are at the forefront of technology and creativity, delivering co-development video game services to our global triple-A clients. Our successful studios are continuing to grow and we are looking for an experienced Technical Animator to join the expanding Art Team. Our studios, part of the Keywords Studios Group, work on multiple exciting projects at any one time offering plenty of variety and involvement. Our studio projects have included: EA Sports FC24, Hogwart’s Legacy, Vampire: The Masquerade - Blood Hunt, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Alan Wake Remastered, Mafia II: Definitive Edition and Assetto Corsa Competizione.

Our studios are based in Daresbury, Cheshire and Newcastle, Tyne & Wear and we are looking for an additional Technical Animator to join the talented team. We offer an amazingly professional, fun and supportive working environment. We are passionate about what we do and pride ourselves on our inclusive mentality, mentoring ethos and have been awarded ‘Best Places to Work’ multiple times by gamesindustry.biz including 2021, 2022 and 2023. In addition, we recently won ‘Best Creative Service Provider‘ at Develop 2022 and were nominated in 2023.

The Role – Technical Animator

 Our studios need -

·        A passionate, talented Technical Animator with an understanding of rigging and tools creation, to devise solutions and workflows and create high quality character rigs both for in-game and cinematic scenes, alongside the rest of the fabulous d3t Animation Team.

Do you want to -

·        Create world class character animation rigs and tools for games animation.

·        Devise tools, pipelines and workflows to support game animation production.

·        Work on AAA games.

·        Collaborate with amazing games studios around the world.

 You will -

·        Create and develop high quality character rigs and tools for use throughout a variety of game titles.

·        Support the needs of the animation team and ensure they have the tools they need to do their jobs.

·        Work with and support internal teams and external partners in pushing the technical side of games animation.

 Responsibilities -

·        Build, skin, test and maintain rigs for characters, creatures & vehicles and working with the art/animation team to bring these to life.

·        Build, skin, test and maintain a facial set up which may be sent to outside companies to create new motion capture data.

·        Work closely with Tech Art to create and maintain tools for automation and refining the animation pipeline.

·        Work on both in game and cinematic rigs.

·        Use both commercial and in-house tools to integrate characters rigs into the game pipeline.

·        Report to the Lead Animator for tasks, revisions, training and creative ideas and take full ownership of all assigned tasks.

·        Work alongside art and animation leads to set the standard and to ensure final assets achieve the initial vision.

·        Ensure work hits all memory and frame rate guides and adhere to overall project guidelines in terms of naming conventions, folder structures etc.

·        Work closely with animators and tech art helping improve tools and practices.

·        Add to our library of tutorials, documents and technical guides to improve efficiency in the animation pipeline and be proactive in finding solutions to technical issues.

·        Adhere to schedules and promptly feedback regarding any resourcing concerns and productions risks.

·        Attend regular animation reviews and both give and receive feedback and encourage and mentor other members of the Animation Team.

·        Keep up to date with industry advancements and technologies and share knowledge with the animation team.

Requirements

Skills Required -

·        Enjoy the technical challenge and constraints of real-time game development.

·        Ability to create a variety of specific custom rigs.

·        Experience in rigging and skinning in Maya and 3DS Max.

·        Exceptional attention to detail, especially with regards to character deformations.

·        Thorough knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and kinesiology for humans and animals.

·        Excellent knowledge of constrain, deformer and dynamics systems and a thorough understanding of weighting, skinning.

·        Strong communication and organisation skills and confident working interactively with artists and animators to resolve challenges.

·        Good understanding of various tools, software and game engines used in current gen development.

·        Practical and methodical approach to both technical and creative problem-solving.

·        Ability to take art direction effectively and understand that amendments are part of the pipeline.

·        Demonstrate dependability and commitment to projects and tasks, and a hunger to learn and improve as a Technical Animator.

·        Flexible and calm approach with the ability to adapt to change.

·        Ability to deliver quality work within fixed time constraints.

·        Good knowledge of current game development practices and terminology and a passion for staying up to date with latest technology and embracing new game art techniques.

·        Ability to respond to feedback and/or changes where required and deliver them within fixed time constraints.

Benefits

Benefits & Perks – just some of the many offered by our studios:

·        25 days holiday (+ bank holidays + up to 5 days extra for length of service)

·        Company Pension Scheme

·        Flexible working hours

·        Private Medical Insurance Scheme (including dental) & Eye Care Scheme

·        Anti-crunch ethos - an amazingly professional, fun and supportive working environment!

·        Income Protection

·        Annual Bonus – be rewarded for great teamwork!

·        Free Parking

·        Tech and Bike Scheme

·        Company Share Scheme

·        Game Vouchers

·        Company Socials, Project Launch/Wrap Parties + Annual d3t Events

·        Breakout Areas – filled with perks such as games, BBQ area, complimentary snacks to suit all dietary preferences etc.

We offer a flexible working policy - this role is being offered as remote (within the UK only), hybrid or studio based at either d3t (Daresbury, Cheshire) or Coconut Lizard (Newcastle, Tyne & Wear).

Initial interviews will be help by video call with a second interview held at the studio.

Don't meet every single requirement? Not a problem - please apply. At d3t we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and culture. If this opportunity excites you but your current skills or experience do not align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles within our team.

Internal Use -

Role Information: EN

Studio: d3t

Location: Europe, UK, Daresbury

Area of Work: Game Development

Service: Create

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Working Pattern: Remote, Hybrid, In-Office

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