At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and enhance character artists' work with smart technical solutions.
- Company: Join Dream Games, a fast-growing company in the animation industry.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment with opportunities for creative input and career growth.
- Other info: Passion for storytelling and teamwork is essential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on world-class animation content and workflows.
- Qualifications: Experience in character-build workflows and proficiency in tools like Houdini and Maya.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Character Technical Director to join our creative team. In this role, you are responsible to support, enable and enhance the ‘build’ work of all character artists. You bring your smart technical solutions to our modelers, groomers and texturing & surfacing artists and create outstanding characters. At Dream Games, all team members have a genuine chance to contribute to the final product and have an impact on the company. If you want to be part of a fast-growing company, you might be the person we are looking for.
Responsibilities
- Configuring and maintaining the core pipeline, including how we load and publish work at each step of the asset department
- Supporting teams to review their work in a consistent and meaningful way
- Articulating and documenting best practices to build a culture of continuous improvement
- Creating sanity checks to ensure the highest quality assets
- Advising and supporting the team in creating assets that render efficiently
- Working with department leadership to accelerate workflows to reduce friction and automate manual steps
- Proposing and implementing new workflows or tools to continuously improve creative output
- Representing the character team on workflow decisions and cross-departmental technical challenges
- Helping artists with workflow and technical questions
- Contributing to our mission of delivering world-class animation content
Requirements
- Deep understanding of feature animation character‑build workflows (model, groom, texturing, lookdev)
- Deep understanding of core asset creation tools like Houdini, Maya and Blender
- Understanding of USD, particularly in regards to characters (variants, shading, etc.)
- Python and VEX skills to create gizmos, HDAs, and tools
- Background in lookdev or rigging favorable
- Experience with AYON, Renderman, Shading, C++, or AI is a plus
- Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines
- Experience working with both internal teams and external vendors
- Appreciation and understanding of teamwork
- Passion for storytelling, animation, and games
Technical Director, Build (Character) employer: Dream Games
Dream Games is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for those passionate about character animation. Located in a fast-growing studio environment, employees benefit from cutting-edge tools and pipelines, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement. Join us to be part of a team that values technical excellence and creativity, making a meaningful impact in the gaming industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director, Build (Character)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Dream Games or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Dream Games.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Dream Games.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Dream Games that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director, Build (Character)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Dream Games.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Dream Games and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dream Games
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Dream Games uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
