Ubisoft’s 19,000 team members, working across more than 30 countries around the world, are bound by a common mission to enrich players’ lives with original and memorable gaming experiences. Their commitment and talent have brought to life many acclaimed franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, Just Dance, Rainbow Six, and many more to come. Ubisoft is an equal opportunity employer that believes diverse backgrounds and perspectives are key to creating worlds where both players and teams can thrive and express themselves. If you are excited about solving game-changing challenges, cutting edge technologies and pushing the boundaries of entertainment, we invite you to join our journey and help us create the unknown.
Ubisoft Berlin is home to nearly 150 people, making up several teams dedicated to deliver AAA excellence and innovation across a wide portfolio of games and technologies.
Job Description
As our new Lead Animator (f/m/d) at Ubisoft Berlin, you will be responsible for leading and managing a projects’ Animation team, setting objectives for both short term and long term, driving quality standards, creating benchmarks, and collaborating with Directors and Technical Animators to deliver AAA game animations.
What you will do:
Build, develop, and nurture a strong, empowered team with a healthy, diverse, and supportive team culture
Define, prioritize, assign, and regularly follow up on tasks and the team’s progress together with the producers and production managers
Provide support, guidance, and feedback for the internal animation team
Establish animation standards and provide feedback for animations internally and potentially from external vendors
Be the main point of contact for other teams and act as a representative of the animation team
Qualifications
What you bring:
5+ years’ experience as an Animator in game development
Experience in leading, coaching, mentoring or training other team members
Strong understanding of keyframe animation, motion capturing and procedural animation
Proven experience on at least one shipped title
Being able to work with complex game animation systems and extensive animation state machines
Excellent knowledge of Maya, Motion Builder, 3DSMAX, and/or other commercial 3D authoring packages
Understand the technical workflows and tools in animation production for games with the ability to modify and improve them
Great communication skills and a positive attitude
You are Fluent in English, both verbally and written
Experience with node-graphs and node-based engines is a plus
Ability to create custom tools and scripts with Python is a plus
Rigging experience is a plus
What to send our way:
Your CV, highlighting your education, experience, and skills
A cover letter including your earliest starting date, expected salary and why you would like to join us
Portfolio: It is required that you submit a portfolio of your work with your application. You may do so by providing a link to an online portfolio (preferred) or attaching documents to your resume. All portfolios must contain a detailed shot breakdown of the work. It must be very clear what you, the applicant, are responsible for in your reel, portfolio, screenshots etc.
The portfolio should contain the following:
Examples of character animation (full body motion, emotions etc.)
Examples of animation style variety
Examples of environment animation or visual effects (optional)
Examples of animation rigs and their functionality in a 3D package (optional)
Additional Information
What we offer:
Relocation support: We offer financial support in form of a cash allowance and assistance with accommodation search and settle-in support via our relocation partner, for international candidates we offer visa assistance
Ubisoft Blue Byte Academy: We offer multiple opportunities for you to discover your full potential and develop yourself in various areas. Guest speakers from the industry, workshops, and access to our training and development platform as well as to our in-house library
Discounted and free games: Discount on employee game orders & free Ubisoft games on Ubisoft Connect
Hybrid work model: Provides the flexibility to combine working from the studio and your home within Germany
Monthly Mobility Budget: 80€ per month that can be used on bicycle lease, parking spot rental or public transportation ticket
Up to 350€ childcare support per child per month
Company Pension Scheme: We offer an attractive company pension scheme
Gym subsidy: We contribute 50% (up to a maximum amount of 25€) towards the monthly cost of a gym membership of your choice
English and German online lessons for free: Good to know: Our main language in the studio is English
26 days paid vacation per year
Corporate Benefits web portal: Employee discount program for affiliated retailers, shops, and service providers
Ubisoft offers the same job opportunities to all, without any distinction of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social status, disability, or age. Ubisoft ensures the development of an inclusive work environment which mirrors the diversity of our players’ community.