Animation R&D Programmer: Retargeting

6 Days ago • 3-7 Years • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Rockstar Games seeks an Animation R&D Programmer specializing in retargeting to contribute to their advanced animation systems for large open-world games. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining runtime animation systems, pipelines, and tools; creating robust and performant technology to adapt animation to various characters and environments; collaborating on R&D for procedural animation, motion adaptation, and character motion synthesis; and staying abreast of industry advancements. The ideal candidate will possess strong C++ skills, a deep understanding of character animation systems (especially retargeting and IK), and a passion for realistic, high-quality motion. This full-time, permanent role is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Must have:
  • Strong C++ programming skills
  • Experience in animation retargeting
  • Knowledge of character animation tech
  • Good communication skills
  • 3D math skills
  • Animation system experience within a game engine
Good to have:
  • AAA game or VFX animation experience
  • C# or Python programming skills
  • Motion synthesis or style transfer experience
  • Experience with large codebases and teams
  • Pipeline or UI tool development experience

Job Details

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences. 

Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry. 

Rockstar is on the lookout for a talented engineer to join our Animation R&D team, with a background in animation retargeting or related techniques.

This position will help us develop advanced animation systems for our large open world character-based games. The successful applicant will have strong C++ programming skills, good knowledge of and interest in character animation systems, and passion for realistic, high quality character motion.

This is a full-time, permanent and in-office position based in Rockstar’s state-of-the-art game development studio in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

WHAT WE DO

  • We develop animation technology, from performance capture to a sophisticated runtime engine, for massive open world games.
  • We are a global team of programmers and researchers who collaborate on pushing the boundaries of character animation on next generation hardware.
  • We support and work closely with animation, gameplay, physics, tools, graphics, performance capture, and technical art teams across multiple Rockstar studios.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Help invent, develop, expand, maintain, and support an extensive runtime animation system, pipeline, and tools.
  • Develop robust and performant technology to adjust animation to different characters, situations, and environments.
  • Collaborate and contribute to the research and development of features related to procedural animation, motion adaptation, and character motion synthesis.
  • Keep up to date with the latest academic and industry breakthroughs, independently research and develop improvements to continuously push our technology forward.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A degree in Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
  • Proven development of solutions in animation retargeting, motion adaptation, or related subjects.
  • Experience creating, extending or working directly with an animation system within a game engine.

SKILLS

  • Good communication skills, ability to clearly share complex technical information with other programmers, animators and technical artists.
  • Strong C/C++ programming skills.
  • Strong 3D math skills.
  • Knowledge of character animation technology, particularly retargeting and IK systems.
  • Familiarity with common optimization and multi-threading techniques.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

  • Industry experience working on AAA character based games, or character based VFX animation.
  • C# or python programming skills.
  • Experience developing within a large existing codebase, collaborating, or working independently within a large team.
  • Experience with motion synthesis or style transfer.
  • Practical success optimizing or debugging large/complex multithreaded C++ code.
  • Involvement with pipeline or UI based tools development or support.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department. 

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.

#LI-AN1

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About The Company

Join a tight-knit team responsible for creating and publishing some of the most popular, innovative and critically acclaimed interactive entertainment in the world including the Grand Theft Auto series, the Red Dead series and many more.


Known for our dedication to quality and authenticity, a career at Rockstar Games is an opportunity to work on some of the most cutting edge, creatively rewarding and challenging projects available in any entertainment medium with some of the most talented people in the industry.


We offer successful candidates highly competitive salary and compensation packages, including a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees. Rockstar Games is an equal opportunity employer.

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