This job listing expired on Jul 20, 2020
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3D Animator

Redwood City, CA

IMVU is rapidly expanding its creative and development teams as it prepares to launch new features and a new platform. We are looking to add a 3D Animator to our creative team that is based in our Redwood City headquarters. The 3D Animator will contribute to a range of avatar/character animations, character accessory, UI, environment and object animations. The right candidate should also have a strong knowledge of rigging characters. A solid grasp of human anatomy, form, structure, motion and design of animated art assets is also essential. The 3D Animator sets the technical and quality standards for their area of work — and be well-versed in all related tools -- 3DSMax/Maya, etc. The ideal candidate also works well in an environment with peers who are passionate about making great products. They will work closely with the Avatar and 3D Art Production teams to build critical avatar/character and accessory assets. The 3D animator will also build and enhance assets and asset standards that allow millions of IMVU users to expand their creative potential. This is considered a senior individual contributor role that requires expertise in the 3D animation creation field and holds a wealth of knowledge in dealing with the technical issues around content creation for 3D animation asset production.

Responsibilities

  • Develop high-quality 3D animation assets - setting technical and quality standards for animations, etc, working directly with the Avatar Design Leads, 3D Production Team and the Engineering Team.
  • Help establish and follow the animation production pipeline; ensure production is created efficiently, and effectively integrated into products.
  • Produce 3D animation asset specifications as needed.
  • Guide or mentor less seasoned 3D animators.
  • Optimize 3D animations for technical or performance constraints.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues with any 3D animations.
  • Review 3D animations and provide recommendations for improvements.
  • Work on multiple products simultaneously.

Requirements

  • 3+ years experience working as a 3D Animator or Senior 3D Animator.
  • A strong sense of character design, animation and behavior.
  • Minimum 2-year 3D art degree, or equivalent with excellent critique and vocabulary skills.
  • Must be familiar with the majority of modern 3D animation software packages (Maya, 3DSMax, etc.).
  • Strong understanding of game development processes.
  • Superior eye for human motion, both real and stylized, and detail in creating animations.
  • An excellent understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette in regard to animation.
  • Ability to work within design or technical constraints, and adapt to animation (blending/behavior) systems.
  • Passionate about design, a positive “can-do” attitude, and the ability to be highly creative within an agile development process.
  • Ability to take direction and constructive criticism in a positive manner.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.
  • Diligence with individual and team tasks, schedule and adherence to technical limitations.
  • Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) - documenting work and workflow as needed.
  • Advanced ability to work independently and collaboratively, communicating task solution rationale and building consensus.
  • Positive attitude and a desire to bring new ideas to the team.
  • Passion for making and using great products, with an awareness of current products and the competitive landscape.

Desirable Skills

  • Strong understanding of Unity, Unreal or other game engine art pipelines is preferred, Mecanim in particular (as it relates to characters).
  • BFA or equivalent.
  • Experience with user-generated content driven systems is preferred.

About Us

IMVU is a global 3D avatar-based social community of users who come together to play, interact, and make friends. Far beyond traditional social media, IMVU users customize an avatar representing themselves to express and interact with other avatars creating a greater sense of social presence – the feeling of being with someone else as if you’re physically there.

Today, over 7 million IMVU users every month enjoy the freedom to live the life they create through highly-stylized avatars, interacting with friends in immersive chat rooms, shopping for new looks, and sharing their experiences. IMVU is an expressive and collaborative world which includes over 50,000 creators making real money using design tools to create looks and rooms to sell in the IMVU Store.

To continue our success, we are building an even better way for friends to spend time together, in 3D, first on mobile and later in VR. The new platform will support advanced real-time play and interaction of all kinds, and a marketplace for creators (UGC) of realistic virtual goods, spaces, games and social experiences. It’s the most ambitious technical stack for a 3D virtual world ever conceived for Mobile, enabled by the latest advances in consumer mobile devices. Come help us build the future of Social.

How To Apply

  • Please try out our core product before you apply. We’d like you to understand our products and have some understanding of our customers.
  • Please include a cover letter. Make sure to discuss why you are interested in learning more about IMVU. Job applications without cover letters will not be considered.

IMVU is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.