Technical Director, Animation
- Hybrid
- Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Animation
Job description
Headquartered in Montreal, Reflector, a company of the Bandai Namco group, is a new breed of studio working with top talents to create high-quality, compelling content for global audiences. By employing a true transmedia approach, where content is built outwards from fully fleshed “Storyworlds”, the company is able to tell richer, deeper stories that connect with fans everywhere.
SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the technical direction and in close collaboration with the animation direction, the Technical Animation Director will be responsible for developing the technical aspects of animation pipelines (gameplay animation, scripted event animation, cinematic animation, facial animation), technical animation, cinematics, and rigging.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with the animation, technical animation, rigging, and programming teams to design and maintain efficient animation and rigging pipelines, tailored to the needs of the project and the studio. Ensure optimal integration of the animation pipeline into game engines or animation software, in compliance with industry technical standards.
- Communicate technical constraints to animators and various artistic teams and explain their purposes.
- Act as the liaison between the programming and animation teams.
- Develop and optimize tools to improve and facilitate the work of animators, technical animators, character artists, and riggers.
- Prepare characters and assets for animation, including rigging (setup of skeletons and animation controls).
- Set up and implement physical simulations and clothing for animated assets.
- Configure facial animation tools.
- Oversee the optimization of data, animation graphs, and the technical architecture.
- Produce and/or update documentation and instructional videos regarding tools, methods, training, and standard procedures.
- Provide first-line support to animators, technical animators, and riggers on a daily basis to solve technical issues.
- Support production management teams in assessing the qualitative and quantitative deliverables achievable by the animation, technical animation, and rigging teams. Provide recommendations on the sizing and composition of the animation, technical animation, and rigging teams to meet deliverables.
- Perform any other tasks related to animation or rigging.
Job requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree in computer engineering, 3D animation, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in the gaming industry, preferably as a Technical Animation Director or in a similar position.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Technical Animation or Character Technical Director.
- Shipped at least 2 games, with experience working on a published game, from design to release, preferably on a AAA console title.
- Experience with systems such as Unreal Engine (preferred), 3ds Max, Maya, and Houdini (a plus).
- Expertise in real-time animation systems, file formats, and data used in animation.
- Experience required with MEL/Python/Maxscript or similar systems.
- Deep knowledge of production environments.
- Interest and experience in game technology development (engine, tools, animation, network, etc.) and cross-platform development is a plus.
- Understanding of resource optimization methods for game engines.
- Knowledge of technological constraints on different platforms.
- Excellent organizational skills, autonomy, and initiative.
- Flexibility, open-mindedness, and the ability to collaborate effectively.
- Strong leadership skills and experience in employee management.
Work Location
For this position, a presence at the Montreal, Canada office is required for a minimum of two days per week.
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