Animation Programmer - Unannounced project - W/M/NB

This Animation Programmer position at Ubisoft Paris Studio involves participating in the character creation pipeline and their animations (facial and body). Key responsibilities include developing tools and animation systems for technical teams, handling complex transitions between animations, and implementing procedural animation and Inverse Kinematics (IK) techniques. The role contributes to iconic franchises and promising unannounced projects, working under the project’s Technical Director.

Must Have

• Participate in managing the character creation pipeline and their animations (facial and body)
• Develop tools and animation systems for technical teams
• Develop tools and systems to handle complex transitions between animations
• Develop procedural animation and IK (Inverse Kinematics) techniques
• Background in computer science, ideally with a focus on video games
• Solid experience in game programming, particularly on topics related to animation
• Comfortable with C++ and strong debugging skills
• Ability to dive into complex codebases
• Solid understanding of 3D mathematics and physics
• Master animation techniques (motion matching, rigging, IK, facial animation, etc.)

Good to Have

• Knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 and its animation systems
• Experience working with other animation-related systems such as 3Cs, AI, or cinematics
• Familiarity with animation software such as Motion Builder, Maya, or HumanIK
• Knowledge of a scripting language such as Python

Perks & Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Possibility to work remotely up to two days per week
• 20 days per year of remote work from a country within the European Union (eligibility limited to European citizenship profiles)
• Internal e-learning platform
• Game library (Ubisoft titles, competitor games, consoles, and board games)
• Works Council (CSE) offering discounted rates on shows, movie theaters, concerts, gyms, amusement parks
• Clear career development plan with manager and defined objectives
• Join or create internal clubs (choir, yoga, tennis, lightsaber)
• Access to gym classes or bikes during lunch break
• Surf/yoga or ski weekends organized by the CSE
• Internal sale for Ubisoft goodies and games

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

You may already know this (but it’s always good to be reminded): the Paris studio is Ubisoft’s pioneering studio and was behind the publisher’s first major successes after its creation in 1992. Today, we continue to lead iconic franchises such as Just Dance, Ghost Recon, and Mario + Rabbids. We’ve also built a strong reputation as a key partner in inter-studio collaborations on titles like Watch Dogs, Skull & Bones, Beyond Good & Evil 2, and Star Wars. Drawing on this experience, we continue to push creative boundaries with highly promising, unannounced projects.

With 750 talents from 35 nationalities, we’re proud to be the largest studio in France and one of the most experienced in the industry. Young talents benefit from the strong presence of senior profiles across creative, technical, and artistic roles. Everyone shares the same passion: pushing the limits of what’s possible and offering new experiences to our players.

Want to know more? You’ll probably find your answers here: Paris Studio!

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under the responsibility of the project’s Technical Director, this position will allow you to take on the following tasks:

• Participate in managing the character creation pipeline and their animations (facial and body),
• Develop tools and animation systems for technical teams,
• Develop tools and systems to handle complex transitions between animations,
• Develop procedural animation and IK (Inverse Kinematics) techniques.

QUALIFICATIONS

• You have a background in computer science, ideally with a focus on video games,
• You have solid experience in game programming, particularly on topics related to animation,
• You are comfortable with C++ and have strong debugging skills, as well as the ability to dive into complex codebases,
• You have a solid understanding of 3D mathematics and physics,
• Your experience allows you to master animation techniques (motion matching, rigging, IK, facial animation, etc.)

It’s a plus if you have any of the following:

• Knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 and its animation systems,
• Experience working with other animation-related systems such as 3Cs, AI, or cinematics,
• Familiarity with animation software such as Motion Builder, Maya, or HumanIK,
• Knowledge of a scripting language such as Python.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Joining us means having access from day one to:

• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work remotely up to two days per week, in accordance with Ubisoft’s remote work policy;
• 20 days per year of remote work from a country within the European Union (eligibility limited to European citizenship profiles);
• Our internal e-learning platform to finally train on the tools you’ve always wanted to master;
• Our game library where you can borrow the latest Ubisoft titles, competitor games, consoles, and board games;
• Our Works Council (CSE) offering discounted rates on a wide range of shows, movie theaters, concerts, gyms, amusement parks, and many other great deals.

And after one year?

• You’ll have a clear career development plan with your manager and defined objectives to help you grow every year;
• You’ll have joined one of our clubs—choir, yoga, tennis, lightsaber… or even created your own!
• You’ll enjoy your 1.5-hour lunch break by taking a class in our gym or borrowing one of our bikes for a ride in the Bois de Vincennes;
• You’ll look forward to the next surf/yoga or ski weekend organized by the CSE;
• You’ll have raided our internal sale to complete your collection of Ubisoft goodies and games (because you can never have enough).

As an employer, Ubisoft provides equal employment opportunities to all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social status, disability, or age. Ubisoft is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of its player community within its teams.

Check out this guide to help you with your application, and learn about our actions to encourage more diversity and inclusion.