This job listing expired on Sep 29, 2020
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Have you ever wanted to work at Blizzard?! Our Animation department is looking for a highly motivated Associate Animator to help the Outsource group as we expand the scope of the Franchise and ramp up on production on Overwatch 2.

As an associate animator, you will get the opportunity to animate in a structured training program that will level up your already strong animation skills, teach you aspects of the animation pipeline, and grow your technical expertise within our proprietary game engine. In-game animation, Emotes, Play of the Game… this position will give you an all-encompassing view of what goes into making the characters of Overwatch come to life in a fun, exaggerated, and highly polished style of animation.

In working on the outsource team, you will also be helping to refine and expand both the culture and capacity of our outsource group as we create content for both Overwatch 1 and 2 simultaneously. We are on the front lines of figuring out how to integrate remote teams of talented animators from all over the world to contribute increased flexibility and capacity for the Overwatch team. This will require a large focus on the integration of animation content being produced by our external, third-party vendors in addition to your own animation work. It’s a great opportunity to learn how a diverse set of animators approach their craft while also working with them to improve process, workflows and Toolsets.

With this position, you will get also get a front-row seat to the exciting challenge of adding a dynamic PVE experience to the world of Overwatch, working side by side with industry-leading talent across many diverse disciplines. In short, you will be part of a close-knit, collaborative community of artists, engineers and designers whose sole goal is to make a truly immersive game experience for our amazing community of players and fans from around the world.

If you’re ready to tackle the challenge of helping realize the evolution of the Overwatch universe, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

  • Develop, create, and maintain animations for real-time game assets.
  • Implementation of 3rd party vendor assets in-game, including troubleshooting and animation polish when necessary.
  • Work with lead and senior animators to ensure timely completion of character assets at the desired quality bar.
  • Serve as an active participant in team art discussions, critiques, and reviews.

Requirements

  • Exceptional skill in animating the human bipedal figure as well as other organic forms using Maya or equivalent 3D software packages.
  • Strong understanding of traditional animation principles and how they can be used to enhance gameplay
  • Previous experience and proficiency with current commercial game engines such as Unity/Unreal.
  • Self-motivation, good communication skills, and a great team-player attitude
  • Able to work creatively as part of a large or small group
  • Able to effectively collaborate with game designers and programmers
  • Understanding of the visual style of Blizzard games and a passion to push it to the next level
  • A passion for video games

Pluses

  • Industry experience in animation and game development in some capacity.
  • Have shipped an AAA PC or console title as a character animator
  • Experience in FX and particle animation
  • Skill in one of more related disciplines – illustration, modeling, rigging or technical art

Application Requirements

  • Cover Letter is required
  • Portfolio and / or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills required
  • Only online artwork submissions will be accepted (e.g. website, blog or online album).
  • Must be willing to complete an art test if requested to do so

Blizzard Entertainment is a global company committed to growing our employees along with the business. We offer generous benefits and perks with an eye on providing true work / life balance. We’ve worked hard to foster an intensely collaborative and creative environment, a diverse and inclusive employee culture, and training and opportunity for professional growth. Our people are everything. Our core values are real, and our mission has never changed. We are dedicated to creating the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Join us!

Job Status: Temporary

Primary Location: United States-CA-Irvine

Blizzard Entertainment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.