Animation R&D Programmer: Retargeting

5 Days ago • All levels • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Rockstar Games seeks an Animation R&D Programmer specializing in retargeting to contribute to their large open-world character-based games. Responsibilities encompass developing and maintaining runtime animation systems, pipelines, and tools; creating performant technology to adapt animation across characters, scenarios, and environments; collaborating on procedural animation, motion adaptation, and character motion synthesis research; and staying current with industry advancements. The ideal candidate possesses strong C++ programming skills, expertise in character animation systems (particularly retargeting and IK), and a passion for realistic character motion. They will work closely with various teams, including animation, gameplay, physics, tools, graphics, and performance capture teams.
Must have:
  • Strong C++ programming skills
  • Experience in animation retargeting
  • Knowledge of character animation systems
  • 3D math skills
  • Good communication skills
Good to have:
  • C# or Python programming skills
  • Experience with AAA games
  • Motion synthesis or style transfer experience
  • Experience with large codebases
  • Pipeline or UI tool development

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, in-office position based out of Rockstar’s unique game development studio in Oakville, ON. 

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 resume 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 accommodations to job applicants with disabilities (or on the basis of any other protected ground under human rights legislation) during the recruitment process, as well as to any Rockstar employees in order for them to perform the essential functions of their roles.  Rockstar will comply with its obligations under the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and will provide accommodations as long as such accommodations do not pose an undue hardship on Rockstar.  If you need more information about Rockstar’s 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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