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Principal Gameplay Animator

12 Hours ago • All levels • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Firesprite studio seeks a Principal Gameplay Animator to craft high-quality animation assets and systems for a dark, story-driven next-gen Narrative Adventure game. Responsibilities include creating keyframe and motion capture animation, overseeing animation systems, refining digital content creation tools, collaborating with teams on animation workflows, and contributing to project animation goals. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience as a Principal Animator on PC or console titles, a strong understanding of motion matching and state machines, and expertise in Maya/Motion Builder and Unreal Engine or similar. The role involves bringing believable human/non-human animation to life, focusing on character expression and player immersion, and setting a new bar for gameplay character animation.
Must have:
  • Principal Animator experience (PC/Console)
  • Motion Matching expertise
  • State machine development
  • Keyframe & mocap animation skills
  • Maya/Motion Builder proficiency
  • Unreal Engine or similar experience
Good to have:
  • Creature/animal animation
  • Python scripting
  • Facial animation
  • Rigging
  • Previs & prototyping
  • Mocap planning/directing
Perks:
  • Discretionary bonus
  • Hybrid Working
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Dental Scheme
  • 25 days holiday
  • Cycle garage & showers

Job Details

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

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:

  • Experience as a Principal Animator on at least one PC or console title.
  • Experience with Motion Matching with a strong understanding of its utilization and limitations.
  • 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.

Desirable skills:

  • 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.

Benefits:

  • Discretionary bonus opportunity
  • Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Dental Scheme
  • 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. 

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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Want to take your career to the next level? Search open job vacancies at any of the Sony Interactive sites by visiting playstation.com/careers/


Sony Interactive Entertainment pushes the boundaries of entertainment and innovation, starting from the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. Today, we continue to deliver innovative and thrilling experiences to a global audience through our PlayStation line of products and services that include generation-defining hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with global functions in California, London, and Tokyo, and game development studios around the world as part of PlayStation Studios, we believe that the power of play is borderless. Sony Interactive Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.  


For more information about our company, please visit SonyInteractive.com. For more information about PlayStation products, please visit PlayStation.com.

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