Principal Gameplay Animator - Remote/Hybrid

United Kingdom, Liverpool; United Kingdom, Remote

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Role Overview: We’re looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to join our Firesprite studio to bring the world of a dark, story-driven next generation ‘Narrative Adventure’ to life. Working closely with other teams, you’ll develop and deliver playable animations to the highest quality possible. We’re striving for a specificity of character and emotion that delivers distinct performance, heightens player immersion, and sets a new bar for gameplay character animation. As a part of the animation team, you will be instrumental in bringing that ambition to life. With genre-defining goals, this title has AAA ambitions and a strong focus on character. We are taking atmosphere, storytelling, player-agency and narrative into ground-breaking territory, on next-gen technology. We would consider hybrid and remote working (UK).

What you’ll be doing:

• In this Principal position, you will build high quality gameplay animation assets and systems.
• You’ll find creative solutions, artistic, technical or both, to deliver that specificity on a range of characters and other animated elements.
• Craft believable human / non-human keyframe and motion capture animation.
• Take charge of animation system and/or design features – oversee systems and ensuring they get delivered to the highest quality.
• Revising and refining digital content creation and in-engine tools – establish tools and develop pipelines.
• Work with related teams on block-out to final animations and systems, that work seamlessly with non-gameplay animation if required.
• Contribute to the artistic & technical gameplay animation goals for the project.
• Collaborate with all teams on animation workflows & pipeline development.

What we’re looking for:

• An experienced Principal Animator or a Senior on their way to being a Principal.
• State Machines development by creating and maintaining them.
• Proven knowledge of animation principles and a focus on dynamic poses, strong in keyframe animation and mocap methods.
• A deep understanding of human behaviour and a strong sense of expressing character through movement.
• Experienced in developing animation for game engines and movement systems; Working with motion capture data and relevant pipelines; working with Unreal Engine or similar.
• Excellent knowledge of Maya/Motion Builder.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Motion Matching with an understanding of its utilization and limitations would be highly desirable.
• Experience of animating creatures or animals.
• Python script.
• Facial animation experience.
• Rigging experience.
• Previs and prototyping experience.
• Experience and participation in motion capture for gameplay animation – planning, directing and reviewing data.
• Knowledge UE4 or similar engines.

Discretionary bonus opportunity

Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)

Private Medical Insurance

25 days holiday per year

Access to cycle garage and showers

Equal Opportunity Statement: Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.