Lead Animation Programmer in London

Rocksteady is looking for a Lead Animation Programmer to join our dedicated and collaborative team, who is ready for the challenge of bringing our next AAA title to life. The role involves leading and supporting our team of animation programmers to deliver world‑class animation techniques in collaboration with the Animation, Cinematics, Core Engine, and Game Code teams. Hands‑on coding is a key part of the role, working on animation systems and tools, focusing on gameplay animation.

Responsibilities

• Leading, mentoring and supporting a team of animation programmers, and coordinating with our development partners.
• Ensuring our AAA animation systems and pipelines are delivered successfully and implemented to a high technical standard.
• Collaborate closely with Production to plan the Animation Code team's schedule.
• Implementing and driving new animation and cinematics features and pipelines.
• Co‑ordinating with other disciplines, communicating technical concepts and requirements in a way that facilitates a smooth workflow.
• Acting as a first line of support for our gameplay teams, evaluating new feature requests for their pipelines and tools and implementing time‑saving and quality‑improving changes to help our team create best‑in‑industry gameplay and cinematic animation.
• Working with the Technical Director and other Code Leads to help improve development processes across the Code team.
• Hands-on coding on animation systems and tools, focusing on gameplay animation.
• Leading the Animation Code team to deliver world‑class animation techniques in collaboration with Animation, Cinematics, Core Engine, and Game Code teams.

Qualifications & Skillset

• Advanced understanding of C++ and software development.
• Proficient understanding of modern animation pipelines and tools.
• Comprehensive understanding of animation tools such as 3DSMax, Maya, or MotionBuilder, with experience developing plugins for DCC tools is a plus.
• Good understanding of the main gaming platforms and the requirements needed to develop software on them.
• Good understanding of cloth and motorised ragdoll physics simulation.
• Experience with optimising animation systems and assets.
• Experience with Motion Matching based locomotion systems.
• Unreal Engine 5 experience is an advantage; experience of line management and leading teams.
• Experience working on and shipping at least one AAA video game title.
• Good understanding of game technology principles.
• Experience defining, implementing and supporting production processes.
• Experience supporting and collaborating with artists to produce high‑quality content and create efficient processes.

Hybrid Working

This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in‑office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

About Rocksteady & WBD

When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next… From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career‑defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.