Senior Gameplay Animator

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. 

At Rockstar North we specialize in locomotion for humans and animals, traversal, vehicles, and conversation systems to name a few. If you are passionate about animation and interested in building ground-breaking animation systems within a creative and unconstrained environment, please get in touch. Candidates with technical, problem-solving skills are especially encouraged to apply.

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 create open-world gameplay mechanics that are used to make immersive experiences.
• We work as a global animation team to collaborate on player experiences.
• We use our onsite motion capture facilities to prototype new systems, directing talent and fine-tuning the results with code and design.
• We participate in multi-discipline gameplay reviews, ensuring animation data is responsive and implemented with a strong consideration of technical and gameplay constraints.
• We encourage ownership and creativity where everyone’s voice is heard.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with animators and programmers to devise, implement, and debug animation systems and gameplay mechanics.
• Collaborate with the animation, code and design leads, to achieve the perfect balance between animation fidelity and gameplay responsiveness.
• Verify the quality of the animations integrated into the game by playing regularly.
• Actively contribute to the development and improvement of cutting edge animation techniques and in game systems alongside other animators and coders.
• Contribute to the set-up and maintenance of the animation pipeline, and be proactive with its development and improvement.
• Expected to coordinate efforts of small groups of developers, and provide mentorship, training and guidance under a lead animator.
• Plan motion capture shoots and direct actors/stunt.
• Review the work of other developers, providing constructive criticism.
• Self-motivated and willing to get involved in wider areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Art/Animation or equivalent experience.
• Outstanding demo reel demonstrating experience working with gameplay systems.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience animating video games.
• At least one shipped game.

SKILLS

• Expert level proficiency in a major animation package (eg Maya, Motionbuilder, etc).
• Positive, solution-orientated individual, with a deep-rooted interest in video games, and game development.
• Ability to robustly debug and develop complex animation systems, including blend trees and state machines.
• Exceptional skill in animating the human figure to create realistic character animations.
• Strong understanding of development issues in getting animations into a game.
• Bring innovation and resolution to technical problems and challenges throughout production.
• Experience with setting up production pipelines while being able to follow guidelines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work closely with Artists, Designers and Programmers.

PLUSES

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

• Practical knowledge of programming languages (Python, C# / C++, etc.).
• Practical experience using parametric blend spaces, motion trees or state machines.
• Knowledge of commercial game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Expertise in MotionBuilder and working with motion capture data.
• Professional experience developing third-person action games.
• Willingness to travel to our other global studios.
• AAA experience a plus.

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.

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