Blackbird Interactive is looking for a passionate and experienced technical animator to become a key part of our animation team. You will be part of a small, high performing team who can crunch ideas quickly and come up with dazzling solutions to challenging problems. You will have a collaborative approach and be directly involved in the day to day decision making that will help us push our animation systems and help deliver a polished high quality game.
Responsibilities
- Learn all required features and functions of the animation system editor and tools
- Participate in and supervise integration of the animation assets into the game engine
- Collaborate to ensure compliance of animation features with technical, aesthetic and gameplay constraints
- Research and share knowledge of existing engines and animation packages within the industry
- Work closely with techs, animators and artists to create animator-friendly rigs, tools and scripts
- Design and implement processes that support and improve all applicable areas of the animation pipeline
- Understand and work with the game engine
- Carry out all other related tasks
Requirements
- Strong practical understanding of animation logic: node graphs, animation trees and similar engine editors and technologies
- Experience on character action focused games preferred with at least one shipped title
- Enthusiastic, methodical and organised approach to work with high quality standards;
- Able to document and explain their work clearly and concisely
- Good knowledge of Autodesk Maya, knowledge of Motionbuilder and similar packages useful
- Experience building tools that support animation in Maya
- Strong understanding of rigging, skinning and related character technologies;
- Ability to work flexibly, accept and give feedback, and adapt to change
- Good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- An understanding of animation techniques Ability to write scripts and code is a plus
At Blackbird, we're all about being true to our roots. We started small in our CEO's garage, and even though we're expanding, our desire is to stick to that foundation of creativity, community, and collaboration. Our team has proved that great ideas can come from any position in any discipline, so it's important to us to make sure every voice is heard.
Work/life balance is extremely important to us, and we've demonstrated that over the years by severely limiting over-time requirements. We want people to be happy about coming to work every day, and to that end we offer lots of opportunities for growth and development; whether it's lunch and learns, team events, or our generous vacation days, paid holiday closure and flexible schedules. We also try to provide every opportunity possible for our employees to spearhead R&D initiatives through our BlackOps program. In short, don't expect to feel like a cog in a machine working for BBI.
Due to COVID-19, applicants must be eligible to work in Canada, or currently in Canada on a work permit/visa. With the exception of specifically on-site roles, all roles will commence as a work-from-home arrangement. This arrangement will be revisited as COVID-19 government regulations are eased.
Please send a cover letter with your resume and application. If applying for an artistic role, please provide a link to your portfolio and/or demo reel.
If you are interested in the role, please apply even if your experience and skills don’t perfectly match our ideal credentials. We are committed to diversity and especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. BBI does not discriminate against applicants based on genders, races, national and ethnic origins, religions, ages, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities.
