Animation Tools Programmer

3 Months ago • 3 Years + • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

As an Animation Tools Programmer at Epic Games, you'll architect, implement, and maintain core animation systems for Unreal Engine 5. This includes designing user interfaces for these systems, collaborating with programmers, animators, and designers across multiple teams and time zones. You'll optimize systems for various platforms and contribute to technical documentation. The role requires 3+ years of experience in game/VFX/animation system development, Unreal Engine tool development expertise, strong C++ skills, and a deep understanding of linear algebra and multi-threaded programming. You will work on a team dedicated to improving the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
Must have:
  • 3+ years game/VFX/animation system development experience
  • Unreal Engine tool development expertise
  • Strong C++ skills and linear algebra knowledge
  • Experience with multi-threaded programming
  • Understanding of animation concepts
Good to have:
  • Experience with rigging systems, animation state machines
  • Low-level animation systems, physics-based animation, IK systems
  • Gameplay systems (character movement, collision, action sequencing)

Job Details

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

PROGRAMMING - UNREAL ENGINE

What We Do

Unreal-powered projects have been on the bleeding edge of real-time entertainment for over 20 years. Our team of programming experts are always innovating to improve the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.

What You'll Do

We are looking for an experienced Tools and Animation Programmer for our Engine Development team. You will be responsible for developing, enhancing, and maintaining the core systems, tools, and user interfaces of the Unreal Engine 5 animation system and optimizing them for multiple platforms. You will work directly with the brightest technical minds in the business as we build the premier game engine for a multitude of platforms.

In this role, you will

  • Architect, implement and maintain core animation systems of Unreal Engine 5
  • Design and develop user interfaces for the animation systems of Unreal Engine 5
  • Work closely with other programmers, animators, technical animators, product designers, leads and external technology
  • Partner across multiple teams and timezones 
  • Write technical documentation and designs

What we're looking for

  • 3+ years of professional game / VFX / or animation system development experience
  • Previous experience developing tools in Unreal and extensive experience in writing C++ applications
  • Excellent linear algebra skills and applications of linear algebra in software
  • Experience with multi-threaded programming and system tasks such as graphics, audio, I/O, networking, memory handling, debuggers, etc
  • A basic understanding of animation concepts
  • Experience with application-level programming such as script compilers and user-facing tools
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills with both technical and non-technical people alike
  • Performance-minded development and optimization skills

Nice to have skills

  • Experience with rigging systems, animation state machines, low-level animation systems, physics-based animation and/or IK systems
  • Demonstrated interest in games
  • An eye for detail and appreciation for the craft of making games and animation
  • Fluent in state-of-the-art animation systems, algorithms and techniques
  • Experience with gameplay systems, such as character movement, collision querying, and action sequencing

This role is open to multiple locations in North America and Europe (excluding CA, NY, & WA).

ABOUT US

Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 years, we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy .

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found .

Similar Jobs

Intrepid Studios,  Inc  - Senior Anti-Cheat Engineer

Intrepid Studios, Inc

San Diego, California, United States (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Endless Studios - Technical Game Designer

Endless Studios

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
Jam City - Manager, 3D Art

Jam City

Burbank, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Week ago
Zengame Technology - 2D Animator

Zengame Technology

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Wargaming - Senior Engine Developer (World of Tanks)

Wargaming

Belgrade, Serbia (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Activision - Senior AI Animator

Activision

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Gigglebug Entertainment - Animation Supervisor - Belzebubs

Gigglebug Entertainment

Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain (On-Site)
6 Days ago
Framestore - Previs Artist

Framestore

London, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
GameDuell - Senior 2D Animator (Unity) - Character & Asset Specialist

GameDuell

Berlin, Berlin, Germany (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Gigglebug Entertainment - 2D Animator - Belzebubs

Gigglebug Entertainment

Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain (On-Site)
6 Days ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Meta - Software Engineer, Machine Learning

Meta

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Resolution Games - Game Programming Internship (Audio)

Resolution Games

Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (Hybrid)
1 Week ago
Meta - Data Engineer, Product Analytics

Meta

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Amber - Senior Unity 2D Gameplay Engineer (Project Based)

Amber

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (Remote)
1 Month ago
Scopely - Senior Fullstack Engineer - Monopoly GO!

Scopely

California, United States (Remote)
1 Month ago
Garena - Senior Game Developer

Garena

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Luma Pictures - Emerging Technology Technical Director

Luma Pictures

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Meta - Software Engineering Manager, Product

Meta

Sunnyvale, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
NVIDIA - Senior Manager, Device and Modeling

NVIDIA

Canada (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Playrix - Senior Unity Software Engineer (Gameplay)

Playrix

Ireland (Remote)
6 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in United States

Riot Games - Senior Software Engineer - Data Foundation

Riot Games

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Netflix - Analytics Engineer (L5) - Consumer Insights DSE

Netflix

Los Gatos, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Google - Global Pixel Launch Lead, Foldables, 1P Goods

Google

Mountain View, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Sourcegraph  Inc  - Sales Development Representative [IC1]

Sourcegraph Inc

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Nintendo - Contract - Sr Engineer, Cloud (NTD)

Nintendo

Redmond, Washington, United States (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
The Pokemon Company International - Senior Corporate Strategy Manager

The Pokemon Company International

Bellevue, Washington, United States (Hybrid)
4 Weeks ago
ByteDance - Software Engineer Graduate (Unity Engine - PICO)

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Google - Equity Accounting Analyst

Google

Chicago, Illinois, United States (On-Site)
1 Day ago
PlayStation Global - Senior Legal Operations Specialist

PlayStation Global

San Mateo, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
X Studios,  Inc  - Engineer, Django/Python (Contractor)

X Studios, Inc

Winter Park, Florida, United States (On-Site)
8 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

Netflix - Software Engineer - Procedural Geometry & Simulation

Netflix

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)
1 Week ago
Rockstar Games - Animator: Gameplay (Mid/Senior)

Rockstar Games

Oakville, Ontario, Canada (On-Site)
10 Months ago
Rockstar Games - Principal Technical Artist: Animation

Rockstar Games

Leeds, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
7 Months ago
DNEG - Animator (DNEG Animation)

DNEG

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Paper Games - 3D Animator - Love and Deep Space (2025 Recruitment)

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
2 Months ago
ICON Creative Studio - Intermediate Asset Finaler

ICON Creative Studio

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
3 Weeks ago
Scorewarrior - Motion Designer

Scorewarrior

Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Technical Animation Director

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Rockstar Games - Senior Animation R&D Programmer

Rockstar Games

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
The Walt Disney Company - Supervising Animator

The Walt Disney Company

Bristol, Connecticut, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. Epic operates Fortnite, one of the world’s largest games with over 350 million accounts and 2.5 billion friend connections. Epic also develops Unreal Engine, which powers the world’s leading games and is adopted across industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation. Through Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store, and Epic Online Services, Epic provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content. Epic has over 40 offices worldwide with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Epic Games

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug