Associate Animation Director

Start: Immediate

Duration: Full Time

Location: Liverpool or Remote (UK)

We are excited to be looking for an Associate Animation Director to join our growing team as we continue to build and raise the bar in interactive animation on our current and future projects.

As a key member of the animation team you will bring characters to life using keyframe and motion capture to create high quality animation, using an excellent knowledge of the principles of animation and understanding of animation production that has a passion to collaborate with artists, designers and other animators to develop new features and craft exciting gameplay mechanics from the ground up. This role is focused on game development and your expertise will breathe life into our characters and systems that will excite players all around the world. In this role you will work with the guidance of the Animation Director to achieve a desired level of quality across the projects animation team.

Responsibilities

• Direct a team of gameplay animators, providing support and guidance as well as technical knowledge where applicable
• Supervise your team during all animation related tasks.
• Work with the Animation Director / Seniors to establish the animation style and requirements for the project, actively participate in style discussions to ensure we achieve a unified look throughout the game.
• Create high quality, responsive and engaging animation assets for gameplay prototypes and production all the way through to final shippable polished assets.
• Setting a standard of quality for animators and actively participate in game development, showing abilities to influence, innovate and communicate
• Is capable of being autonomous when needed, reporting to studio management personnel and engaging with peers to create fun playable gameplay systems.
• Ensure that your team meets project deadlines in a timely manner whilst maintaining artistic integrity.
• Review and communicate with the team and provide feedback to the other animators in a collaborative environment.
• Actively participate in animation system design and problem resolution with design and engineering leadership
• Take ownership of the systems assigned to them and see them through to completion
• Working closely with technical animators, design and programmers to create an efficient development pipeline and ensure the quality of their animation upon integration.
• Collaborate across teams to find solutions to animation related issues.
• Implement assets in the game engine.
• Work closely with the Animation Director helping to prepare and to direct motion capture shoots.
• Assisting in the development of tools and working with the programming team to ensure these tools are continuously improved
• Assist with the recruitment and development of the wider animation team (project and studio)
• Play the game to validate movement control and identify improvements.

Required Experience

• Previous experience in a management role
• Strong keyframing and motion capture manipulation skills
• Excellent knowledge of (one or more of) Maya, 3DS Max or Motionbuilder
• Game Development experience (10+ years working in the video games industry)
• Experience with one or multiple character systems: Locomotion, Weapon Systems, Melee, Non Player Characters
• Passion for pushing animation quality of interactive systems.
• Strong keyframing and motion capture manipulation skills
• Good general technical knowledge of game play systems
• Be comfortable filming references for you and when needed the animation team.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, being able to support and share knowledge effectively
• Ability to accept feedback, interpret direction and constructive criticism.
• Deliver content on schedule and within technical limitations
• Self motivation and attitude.
• Be a leader in pushing innovation and new ideas

Desired Experience

• Experience with Unreal Engine
• Experience in developing character systems with multiple teams, i.e. programming, design, art.
• Good understanding of the game development process, from character modelling to animation and implementation
• Strong sense of how gameplay and animation relate to one another
• Experience with motion capture, realistic animation and creation
• Worked with the and Xsens system
• Good understanding of open world games
• Experience with Motion Matching is a bonus
• Excellent Problem solver

Benefits:

• Remote and Hybrid Working
• Company pension at 4% of annual salary
• 29 days holidays
• Cycle2work scheme
• Aviva healthcare cover which includes dental and optical
• Life Assurance
• Early Friday finish every last Friday of the month
• Profit Share Bonus & Christmas Bonus

Important:

The interview process for the Associate Animation Director role is made up of 2 stages:

• First interview (45 – 60 minutes) – An interview to discuss your experience and working history relating to the position with members of our Animation team. In return, we will provide a full overview of the role, life at the studio as well as answer any questions you may have.
• Second Interview - (45-60 minutes) - An interview with some of the members of design and engineering to discuss the project in more detail.
• Final interview (30 minutes) – A final Interview with our Studio Head and Studio Production Director. This will be a chance for you to get to know the Senior Management team and all the things that make Lucid, Lucid! You will have a lot of opportunities to ask any questions about the studio and Culture.

Our recruitment process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on availability. We work our process around your availability and try to be as accommodating as possible. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch prior to your first interview and will keep in contact throughout the process. If you have any specific questions prior to this please contact jobs@lucidgames.co.uk

Lucid Games is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We can provide suitable adjustments during our recruitment processes. Should you require adjustments/flexible arrangements to interview, or take up a role at Lucid, please let us know in the notes/cover letter section of your application. This will not affect your application.