Sr Animator (External Development)
Join our award-winning God of War team!
We are looking for a mid-to-senior Animator to partner with the External Development group for all things animation-related! This role needs an experienced animator to help the studio successfully engage in outsourcing animation content. The ideal candidate has experience and knowledge in crafting high-quality character and creature animations from scratch with additional skills in rigging, skin weighting and facial animation considered a plus. In this role, you will be working hands-on with the on-site gameplay and narrative animation departments as well as providing feedback for our external partners.
Responsibilities
Help us to achieve the highest quality possible by identifying technical inefficiencies or aesthetic inconsistencies of delivered animation assets. Provide feedback for clear mistakes and quality issues before Animation Director and Lead reviews.
Document toolset functions, creative asset briefs, and asset feedback designed to assist external teams to deliver high quality assets.
Actively coordinate with the Animation Team to identify needs for external developers to fulfill.
Make minor adjustments on incoming assets as requested by the Animation Director or Animation Leads before implementing delivered assets into the game engine.
Occasionally build entirely new animations sequences or polish existing assets when time permits, including gameplay animations, motion capture cleanup and facial animations.
Requirements
Can show an online portfolio demonstrating high-quality animations. Portfolios demonstrating more than one variety of animation including character animations, creature animations, camera work and facial a plus.
High level of expertise in Maya. Motion Builder experience a plus.
Demonstrate an understanding of the game development process in relation to animation pipelines.
Keen aesthetic and artistic eye to constantly improve the quality of work by giving feedback or making final adjustments internally.
Ability to work on many different tasks and work with many people internally or externally.
A passion for game development and pushing art quality forward in the industry.
Highly organized, proactive, and able to demonstrate the ability to follow through on tasks.
Be able to communicate to external teams in a professional way that represents our studio in a positive manner and to strengthen relationships with our development partners.
Minimum 3 Years games industry or related experience.
Preferred Experience
Experience working with both body and facial performance capture pipelines recommended.
Character Rigging or Skin Weighting experience.
Shipped AAA games as an animator.
Understanding of the outsourcing process or experience working with outsourcing partners in past roles.
We value talent, self-motivation, and team spirit. In turn, we provide an environment with a large degree of autonomy and opportunities for growth.
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, legally protected physical or mental disability, covered veteran status, status in the U.S. uniformed services, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. We genuinely appreciate the time and effort you spent in contacting us and we thank you for your interest in Santa Monica Studio.