Technical Animation Lead

2 months ago

Vancouver, Canada Next Level Games Full time

**STUDIO** **:Next Level Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co. Ltd.

We’ve been passionate about video game development for 20 years now, shipping award-winning games for fans across the world and still going strong. Some of our titles include Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Metroid Prime Federation Force, Luigi’s Mansion 3 and most recently Mario Strikers: Battle League.

At NLG, we believe that a project finds success when we collaborate. Therefore, we place careful consideration to build an environment where everyone feels welcome and has fun in the process of achieving our shared goals.
***THE ROLE**: We are looking for a Technical Animation Lead who is excited to bring Nintendo characters to life by understanding every detail of NLG’s character production workflow and who is particularly focused on how rigging supports our award-winning animation team.

At NLG, a diverse team of craftspeople each contribute their expertise toward a shared goal of lifting Nintendo’s legendary IP to new heights of expressiveness, storytelling, and gameplay. This person will be a bridge builder and can see the whole character production pipeline from start to finish, shaping how we build our characters. This person also understands the Art Director’s goals, the Modelers’ tools, the Animators’ wants, and the Engineers’ runtime performance budget. When a creative problem can be solved by multiple approaches, this person is comfortable weighing the differences and communicating those options and tradeoffs, collaboratively helping the team converge on the best creative outcome.

That collaboration is borne out in amazing control rigs which put smiles on our animators’ faces.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Proactively collaborate with Directors, Character Artists, Animators, Designers and Engineers to help deliver the highest quality assets possible within the constraints of a real-time development environment.
- Consistently partner with animators to unblock their potential.
- Support artists and animators in developing new techniques to solve character production, pipeline challenges and ensure clean handoffs.
- Collaborate with the stakeholder teams to understand the technical and creative requirements for assets and suggest solutions for technical issues.
- Work with the concept team to ensure downstream considerations are evaluated and discussed early.
- Ensure the outsourcing partners have the resources to be productive and informed.
- Help identify workflow deficiencies and communicate requirements for improvement with the tools team.
- Partner with production to budget, prioritize, assign, track and organize all content deliverables.
- Ensure a constructive, collaborative relationship between the Modeling, Rigging, and Animation departments.
- Oversee building of prototype assets where applicable to unblock teams.
- Ensure creation of robust, efficient and intuitive body and facial controls.
- Ensure team growth and mentorship in craft excellence.
- Ensure creation of documentation, onboarding plans, and feedback for the technical production of characters, animation and prop assets.
- Brings teams together through consistent and effective communication.
- Represent studio values through modeling behaviour and approach as a leader.

**KEY QUALIFICATIONS**:

- 7+ years of experience as a 3D technical artist in video games and film.
- Have worked on at least one major project as a team lead.
- Experience setting up and maintaining 3D art pipelines and workflows.
- Intimate knowledge of Maya and strong understanding of Maya's rigging tools.
- Ability to pioneer practical production-oriented rig systems and workflows.
- Deep knowledge of animator workflows.
- Strong understanding of rigging optimization and budgeting as they pertain to game engine.
- Proficient with modeling and topology adjustments related to character deformations.
- Expertise in Python and/or C++ - specifically as it applies to programming and tool creation in Maya (MEL and API).
- Working knowledge of shaders, specifically as they relate to animation.
- Experience with Project Management (Jira, Confluence, SharePoint) tools.
- Experience with Source Control (Perforce) software.

***YOU SET YOURSELF ABOVE WITH**:

- Proactive, technical problem solver and a team player.
- Driven by cross-discipline collaborative environments.
- Excel at constructively giving and receiving feedback.
- Experience supporting and maintaining cinematics workflows.
- A strong understanding of the principles of animation.
- Ability to create high quality content.
- Stay adaptable to the iterative needs of the team by leaning into curiosity, experimentation and growth mindset.

This is a hybrid position, requiring at least three days per week at our Vancouver studio.

We wish to thank all applicants in advance; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

We are currently only consi

  • Animator - Lead

    2 days ago

    Vancouver, Canada Image Engine Design Full time

    **POSITION PURPOSE** The Lead of the Animation team plays a very important role in the quality control and supervision of Animation artists. The Lead will be responsible for ensuring all client notes and briefs are delivered in a constructive manner to all artists. They will build a good rapport with all artists to foster communication and increase...

  • Technical Animation Innovator

    4 weeks ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Electronic Arts (EA) Full time

    About Electronic Arts (EA)Electronic Arts (EA) is a leading global interactive entertainment software company, delivering games, content, and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, and tablets.The A-Team: An Innovative Character Animation Research TeamThe A-Team is an innovative Character Animation Research Team...

  • Lead Animator

    7 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada ICON Creative Studio Full time

    **-** ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC Canada with design, storyboarding, modeling, rigging, animation, technical finaling, lighting, visual effects, and compositing artists alongside creative and management teams. Known for our quality,...

  • Lead Animator

    15 hours ago

    Vancouver, Canada ICON Creative Studio Full time

    **-** ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC Canada with design, storyboarding, modeling, rigging, animation, technical finaling, lighting, visual effects, and compositing artists alongside creative and management teams. Known for our quality,...

  • Intermediate Technical Animator

    6 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada ICON Creative Studio Full time

    ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC Canada with design, storyboarding, modeling, rigging, animation, technical finaling, lighting, visual effects, and compositing artists alongside creative and management teams. Known for our quality,...

  • BC - Lead Animator

    6 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Zoic Studios Full time

    Lead Animator This position is onsite, based in Vancouver, BC. All applicants must reside in the lower Mainland of BC, Canada.  About Zoic  Zoic Studios is a Visual Effects company that specializes in high end visual effects for television, film, and advertising. Our mantra is Visual Evolution - we focus on every part of the process,...

  • Animation Lead Specialist

    3 weeks ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Next Level Games Full time

    **About Next Level Games**We are a renowned video game development studio, passionate about creating immersive experiences for gamers worldwide. With over 20 years of expertise in shipping award-winning games, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity.**The Role**We are seeking an experienced Technical Animation Lead to join our team in...

  • Lead Animator

    7 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Electronic Arts Full time

    ENTERTAINING IS OUR PASSION EA is a world-renowned entertainment leader, creating top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences enjoyed by players all over the world. EA artists aim to create characters, performances, scenery, moods and experiences that suspend disbelief and...

  • Animation Expert

    4 weeks ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Electronic Arts (EA) Full time

    Company OverviewELECTRONIC ARTS INC. (EA) is a leading global interactive entertainment software company, delivering games, content, and online services for internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, and tablets.We are a cross-functional, applied R&D team, strategically positioned in EA to drive and disrupt the future of character...

  • Lead Animator Engineer

    4 weeks ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Next Level Games Full time $100,000 - $144,000

    About UsAt Next Level Games, we strive to push the boundaries of video game development. With over 20 years of experience in creating award-winning titles, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality experiences for fans worldwide.Our Studio CultureWe believe that collaboration and teamwork are key to achieving success. Our studio fosters an environment...

  • 3D Animation Technical Specialist

    2 hours ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Bardel Entertainment Full time

    animation system developer opportunityBardel Entertainment is an internationally recognized, Emmy Award-winning studio with a commitment to quality, creativity, and innovation. We have been leading the animation industry for over 35 years and have worked on top audience hits such as The Dragon Prince, Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go, and Diary of a Wimpy...

  • Technical Animator

    6 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Electronic Arts Full time

    ENTERTAINING IS OUR PASSION EA is a world-renowned entertainment leader, creating top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences enjoyed by players all over the world. EA artists aim to create characters, performances, scenery, moods and experiences that suspend disbelief and...

  • Create Technical Animator

    6 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Electronic Arts Full time

    ENTERTAINING IS OUR PASSION EA is a world-renowned entertainment leader, creating top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences enjoyed by players all over the world. EA artists aim to create characters, performances, scenery, moods and experiences that suspend disbelief and...

  • Technical Artist 2

    7 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Electronic Arts Full time

    **Technical Artist 2 - Animation ( EA Create Technical Art )**: **EA Create**: EA Create is a collective of content production teams partnering with EA Studios game teams to bring outstanding visuals, audio and technology to life. Our teams consist of artists, engineers, technicians, designers and development directors. Worldwide, we combine our teams to...

  • Technical Animation Specialist

    4 weeks ago

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Bardel Entertainment Full time

    About UsBardel Entertainment is a renowned animation studio with a rich history of innovation and quality. As an internationally recognized, Emmy Award-winning studio, we've made significant contributions to the industry with hits like The Dragon Prince, Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.Salary InformationThe estimated salary for this...

  • Cg Lead Animator

    4 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Atomic Cartoons Full time

    This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced CG Animator to join the crew on a new CG show! Atomic Cartoons Inc. is an award-winning animation studio with locations in Vancouver's Mt. Pleasant Animation District, Ottawa's Hintonburg neighborhood and Los Angeles. Since its inception 25 years ago, Atomic Cartoons has created and produced numerous 2D...

  • Animator

    4 months ago

    Vancouver, Canada Electronic Arts Full time

    ENTERTAINING IS OUR PASSION EA is a world-renowned entertainment leader, creating top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences enjoyed by players all over the world. EA artists aim to create characters, performances, scenery, moods and experiences that suspend disbelief and...

  • ANIMATION - Senior Animator

    4 weeks ago

    Vancouver, BC, Canada Electronic Arts (EA) Full time

    Senior Technical Animator - A-Team Electronic Arts Inc. is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. EA delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. Meet the A-Team: an innovative Character Animation Research Team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with...

  • Dmp Lead

    1 month ago

    Vancouver, Canada Bardel Entertainment Full time

    **OUR STORY**: For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has led the animation industry through unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and innovation. We are an internationally recognized, Emmy Award®-winning studio - in two prominent Canadian cities, Vancouver and Montreal - and the creative force behind top audience hits such as The Dragon...

  • Animation Supervisor

    2 days ago

    Vancouver, Canada Image Engine Design Full time

    **POSITION PURPOSE** The Animation Supervisor will lead by example, deliver briefs and set the quality standards for all animation work completed. They will review and finalize all frames before submission. They will coach, guide and provide feedback to artists ensuring detailed and high quality work is delivered to Image Engine clients. Animation...