Contract: (Hybrid/Remote)
Overview
We're seeking a versatile Unreal Engine-focused Technical Animator to join our team. You'll serve as the bridge between art and tech, working closely with experienced designers and artists to bring our creative vision to life.
Key Responsibilities
* Design, implement and debug complex procedural animation systems in Unreal Engine, covering state machines, retargeting, control rigs, runtime animation logic, and gameplay facing features.
* Collaborate with artists, designers, and programmers to develop and maintain efficient content creation pipelines.
* Develop custom tools, scripts, and shaders to streamline the artistic workflow.
* Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to art asset integration, rendering, and performance.
* Provide technical support and training to the art team as needed.
* Research and prototype new techniques and technologies to push the boundaries of visual quality.
What We're Looking For
* Proven experience as a Technical Animator in game development or a related industry, with a portfolio showing off previous work in relation to rigging, Unreal Engine Anim Setups and dynamic character implementation
* Strong understanding of character based animation workflows, including body mechanics, rigging principles, deformation, and animator friendly setups across both gameplay and cinematic contexts
* Proficient with Unreal Engine Blueprints or C++ for gameplay logic, shaders, animations, and tool development.
* In-depth understanding of Unreal's animation pipeline, including Control Rig, Animation Blueprints, Anim Notifies, State Machines, Blendspaces, Animation Montages, Motion Matching and Procedural Tools.
* Dynamics: Oversee and implement simulations for cloth, hair, Lip Sync and other dynamic elements across a diverse range of characters, creatures and weapons.
* Deep expertise with Unreal Engine, including rendering pipelines, animation pipelines, and character systems.
* Proficiency with industry-standard 3D software such as Maya, Blender, Houdini or Substance Painter.
* Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines.
Nice to Have
* Comfortable working within an R&D / prototyping environment.
* Experience with emerging technologies across multiple platforms such as mobile, XR, Web
* Hands-on experience integrating assets, shaders, animation systems, and tools directly in-engine
* Create and optimise art assets (e.g. 3D models, textures, animations) for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring high visual fidelity while adhering to performance targets.
* Solid understanding of real-time rendering principles, lighting, and shading.
About PRELOADED
We are a BAFTA-winning games studio inventing new ways to play for everyone. We harness the power of play to create the experiences of tomorrow.
Founded in 2000, PRELOADED believes that play, in all contexts and for all audiences, has the potential to impact our world positively. As a cross-disciplinary team of artists, designers, play specialists, and creative technologists, we are united by this shared mission - what we call Play with Purpose®.
Together, we craft a diverse range of playful experiences. We help organisations, brands, and institutions engage next-generation audiences and collaborate with technology platforms to imagine the future of play.
Learn more about the studio here: https://preloaded.com/the-studio/