Senior Technical Animator - Freelance

Join CI Games and be part of shaping the future of gaming . As we embark on an ambitious strategic roadmap with major releases planned for 2026-2028, we're seeking a talented and dedicated Senior Technical Animator to help us create ground-breaking experiences that captivate players worldwide. Key Responsibilities: Technical Implementation & Animation Systems (Unreal) • Act as a key contributor to Unreal animation technology, helping to implement and maintain the technical vision for character pipelines and runtime systems. • Design and maintain complex animation systems within Unreal Engine, with a heavy focus on Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. • Contribute to the integration of new characters by implementing their Physics and Cloth assets, and fine-tuning their LODs. • Research and prototype new techniques to enhance animation quality and workflow efficiency for the wider team. Characters & Pipeline Support (Maya) • Participate in the creation of high-quality character and weapon rigs that meet the demands of our artistic and gameplay vision, using our internal Maya rigging tools. • Skinning high density characters with optimal deformation • Modifying and adapting Python-based rig definitions so as to address unique character requirements, all the while keeping the codebase consistent • Collaborate with engineers to solve complex technical challenges and ensure the performance and stability of all animation systems. Collaboration & Mentorship • Provide technical guidance and feedback to junior and mid-level technical animators, fostering their skills and growth. • Collaborate closely with the Technical Animation Lead and Director to translate artistic needs into robust technical solutions. • Document best practices for the technical animation pipeline to ensure consistency and quality across all projects. • Track your progress on a daily basis and help evaluating and scheduling upcoming tasks Key Requirements: • 5+ years of experience in technical animation, with a proven track record in a senior capacity. • Shipped at least one AA+ title in a technical animation capacity. • Expert-level expertise with Unreal Engine, specifically with Animation Blueprints, State Machines, and Control Rigs. • Solid knowledge of dynamic asset types, in particular Physics and Cloth Assets. • Proven skills in Maya character rigging and skinning for realistic characters. • Strong proficiency with python tools programming. • Outstanding communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with artists and engineers. Desirable: • Proficiency in C++ • Experience with procedural animation techniques • A deep passion for and expertise in the Action-RPG or Soulslike genre What we offer: • 5 months freelance contract with immediate start • Remote work with flexible schedules (core working hours 10am-4pm CET), allowing you to work alongside talented individuals from around the world. • An opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and stay at the forefront of the gaming industry. • A diverse and inclusive workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or social status. Originally posted on Himalayas