Principal Technical Animator

- Architect and oversee high-level design of gameplay animation systems, ensuring scalability, performance, and seamless integration. - Drive R&D initiatives to evaluate and implement cutting-edge animation technologies (e.g., advanced Motion Matching, machine learning/AI animation, next-gen physics). - Partner with Engineering and Tech Animation leadership to implement project-wide animation roadmaps and toolsets. - Solve deep, complex runtime bugs and drive animation optimisation efforts to meet strict performance and memory budgets. - Define and document technical standards, best practices, and pipeline workflows for the wider technical animation team. - Collaborate closely with Design and Animation leads to heavily iterate on and perfect 3C mechanics. - Actively mentor and upskill senior and mid-level technical animators. - Extensive proven experience architecting and integrating gameplay animation systems for AAA titles using Unreal Engine. - Master-level expertise in Unreal Engine’s animation suite (Anim Blueprints, Motion Matching, Control Rig, State Machines, and Sequencer). - Deep technical understanding of low-level animation concepts, including runtime optimisation, memory management, and threading for animation. - Exceptional cross-discipline communication skills, with a proven track record of aligning Art, Design, and Engineering directors on complex technical visions. - Expertise in feature breakdown and scoping, with the ability to translate abstract creative pillars into robust, production-ready plans. - A profound understanding of gameplay mechanics, game feel, and the mathematical principles behind smooth character movement and physics. - A portfolio or reel demonstrating a history of solving highly complex, innovative technical animation challenges in shipped titles. - Strong proficiency in C++ for extending Unreal Engine’s animation system, alongside Python for pipeline tool automation. - Experience contributing to proprietary engine tools or custom modifications to Unreal's core animation code. - Production experience with advanced DCC tools, including Maya API, MotionBuilder, or Houdini for runtime or pipeline integration. - Background in traditional animation or motion capture data manipulation to better bridge the gap between art and code.