Reports to: Executive Producer
Employment Status: Full-time, temporary (through July 2024) with the possibility of becoming a full-time, permanent position
Work Location: This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role could be any of the following locations: Bellevue, WA; Vancouver, BC; or Montreal, Quebec (preference will be given to candidates who are local or willing to relocate)
About Final Strike Games
Final Strike Games is a multiplayer focused game studio founded by industry veterans. FSG is currently developing AAA experiences for PC and Console. For more information please visit finalstrikegames.net.
Summary
Final Strike Games is looking for a collaborative, creative, and inspired Senior Gameplay Animator to help bring a brand-new PC/Console Action Exploration IP to life, creating fluid, well-tuned, responsive gameplay moments for human characters and creatures.
The right person has a... solid understanding of animation implementation and game engine state machines, and embraces a collaborative and iterative development process as part of a cross-functional team. Our studio looks for people who are dedicated to staying current with the latest techniques and who strive for excellence and personal growth. Our team values honesty, transparency, and respect for all, while working together to create industry inspiring action game experiences.
This is a remarkable opportunity to become part of a team at the inception of game development, offering unparalleled creative autonomy where every team member's ideas are not only welcomed but strongly encouraged.
Duties include but not limited to:
Create industry-leading animations for creatures and characters
Collaborate with engineering and technical animators to develop, implement, and optimize animation systems for character movement, facial animation, and other dynamic animations
Collaborate with designers and artists to understand the vision for the creatures and contribute ideas for their movement and behavior; research the anatomy, behavior, and movement patterns of real animals or creatures that serve as inspiration for the fictional ones
Collaborate proactively with all departments to ensure that finalized asset’s form, function, and technical requirements are met, and provide an animator’s perspective and feedback during project meetings that helps inform and inspire the team
Act as a liaison to other teams and experts involved in animation systems, including animators, engineers, artists, and game designers
Work with minimal animation direction to reach quality goals and match referenced style
Effectively implement feedback from Leadership while advancing the established animation style
Assist in organizing and optimizing workflows to improve the pipeline and process within the animation department and studio
Required Skills & Qualifications
6+ years of of professional gameplay animation experience as a 3D Animator
2+ shipped AAA titles for PC or console as an Animator
Experienced with keyframe and mocap animation for humans and keyframe animation for creatures
Experience using Maya
Experience with animation graphs and blueprints
Experience with UE4 and UE5 game engine and assets
Technical understanding of animation tools, pipelines and technical systems
Ability to implement and update animations in the game engine
Strong ability to communicate and collaborate across multiple disciplines to achieve team animation objectives
A creative problem-solver when it comes to animation technical challenges
Self-motivated and self-directed
Absolute passion for playing and making console and PC games
Compensation & Employee Benefits
When we find the right person, we try to make an offer that will excite you. We consider your unique experience and the skills you bring, other qualifications like level of education attained, certificates/professional licenses held, etc. where you live/will be performing the job, what similar jobs pay, internal equity, as well as what you’re looking for. The annual base compensation for this role is anticipated to be between $94,644 - $173,206 USD ($124,368 - $227,603 CAD). Final offer amounts are determined by a variety of factors, including where the work will be performed, and may vary from the range above. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. In addition to competitive base salaries, we also offer robust employee benefits:
Health & Wellbeing: We know wellness is multi-dimensional, just like our employees. FSG offers comprehensive health coverage and covers 100% of premiums for the whole family.
Total Rewards: We want you to feel empowered in all of life’s circumstances. In addition to offering competitive salaries, we offer stock options, bonuses, disability and life insurance, and retirement savings with matching.
Flexible Time Off: We know that being your best at work means the ability to be present outside of work. We offer generous paid time off benefits starting at 22 days per year, along with paid holidays, 2 paid week-long studio closures (summer and winter), and paid parental leave.
Growth: Our studio is filled with innovators and fearless explorers of the unknown. These values lend themselves to curiosity and a passion for learning, which is why we prioritize career advancement opportunities, training, and professional development.
Connection: We believe in hiring the best people, and that great teams make great games. We create opportunities several times a year to come together as a studio to play and build lifelong connections.
Final Strike Games is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due
Montreal QC