Unreal 5 Technical Animator

Location: Hybrid / Remote – Montreal, QCPreferred

Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: CTO

Role Overview

We’re seeking a seasoned Unreal Animation Engineer to develop and optimize the runtime animation systems for a next-generation UFC-style fighting game built in Unreal Engine 5. You’ll own the integration of motion‑capture data, procedural blending, and next‑gen animation technology (Motion Matching, Control Rig, and AI‑driven blending).

You’ll work closely with combat design, animation, and physics teams to deliver lifelike, responsive, and high‑impact character motion that defines the moment‑to‑moment feel of the fight.

Core Responsibilities

- Design, implement, and maintain character animation frameworks for combat, movement, and transitions.
- Build and optimize Animation Blueprints, Control Rigs, and custom AnimGraph nodes.
- Implement AI‑driven animation blending (Motion Matching, PFNN, Neural State Machine).
- Collaborate with animators to integrate mocap data into procedural runtime systems.
- Develop contact‑aware IK (hands, feet, knees, grapples) with Chaos Physics integration.
- Extend Unreal’s Pose Search and Motion Warping systems for hit reactions and combo continuity.
- Prototype and refine animation‑driven combat feel, ensuring responsiveness and weight.
- Work with the physics and gameplay engineers to synchronize animation with hitboxes, collisions, and camera events.

Pipeline & Optimization

- Establish efficient mocap → runtime pipelines (retargeting, compression, tagging).
- Integrate tools for animation debugging (pose visualization, contact tracing, profiling).
- Profile and optimize animation graphs to meet 60 FPS / 4K console targets.
- Maintain deterministic playback across networked (rollback) fights.

Collaboration & Support

- Partner with Gameplay Engineering to expose animation parameters to combat logic.
- Support Design in defining move lists, transitions, and animation data structures.
- Liaise with Art & Animation leads to ensure creative fidelity and technical feasibility.
- Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and mentoring of junior engineers.

Required Qualifications

- 8+ years professional experience as an Animation, Gameplay, or Technical Engineer in Unreal Engine (UE4 / UE5). Deep knowledge of Unreal Animation Framework, C++, Blueprint, and Control Rig.
- Strong understanding of state machines, blend spaces, IK solvers, and procedural animation.
- Experience with motion‑capture data cleanup, retargeting, and runtime blending.
- Proven track record in real‑time character animation for action, sports, or fighting titles.
- Comfort profiling animation performance using Unreal Insights, PIX, or RenderDoc.
- Strong math foundation (linear algebra, quaternions, kinematics).

Preferred / Bonus Skills

- Experience with animation development on combat fighting games.
- Familiarity with AI‑driven animation (Motion Matching, PFNN, Neural State Machines).
- Experience using ONNX Runtime or UE Neural Network Inference Plugin.
- Exposure to physics‑driven or ragdoll blending systems (Chaos Physics).
- Experience with MetaHuman rigs or custom deformation systems.
- Proficiency in Python / C# tool scripting for animation pipelines.
- Shipped title experience on PS5 / Xbox Series X / PC.

Success Indicators (First 6-12 Months)

- Combat animation system supports fluid transitions between all major move types.
- AI‑driven blending integrated with the gameplay combat loop.
- Foot/hand IK and contact fidelity validated across multiple fighters.
- Performance within 1 ms per‑character animation budget on consoles.
- Internal animation toolset and debug visualizers adopted by the team.

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