Senior Technical Animator, Outsource – Overwatch | Irvine, CA

Overview

The world could always use more heroes.

Blizzard is seeking a highly motivated and talented Senior Technical Animator, Outsource, to join the Overwatch 2 Development team. This role involves hands-on animation work, integrating content from our Ex-Dev partners, and collaborating with gameplay engineers to prototype new animation cosmetics for Overwatch 2.

As a Senior Technical Animator, you will collaborate closely with the Animation, Technical Art, and Gameplay Engineering teams to bring Overwatch 2's characters to life. Your role will involve integrating animation assets into the game, troubleshooting issues in the engine and Maya, managing final asset quality, and supporting the development of exciting new cosmetic types. This position is ideal for someone with a technical animation background who enjoys working with multi-disciplinary teams to create unique and dynamic character cosmetics for our diverse roster of 43 Heroes and counting.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work from home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.

• Implementation of approved assets into the game engine, along with making any needed polish and fixes to keep assets consistent and game ready.
• Technical ownership of future prototyping efforts to evolve the variety of animation cosmetics we ship in Overwatch 2.
• Work closely with the animation lead, senior animation supervisors, production team, and outsource manager to determine outsourcing needs, pipelines, and identify areas of improvement on technical implementation workflows.
• Lead quality control over incoming animation assets, providing detailed feedback and technical support as needed on ExDev content implementation in engine.
• Generate detailed documentation, visual references, and examples of animation asset production, procedures, and engine requirements to support our external vendors.
• Mentorship support for our team of outsource supervisors to help broaden the depth of their technical aptitude working in game engine.

• 8+ years of AAA game experience as an animator or technical animator or equivalent.
• Extensive experience working in one or more game engines (Unreal, Unity, proprietary, etc.) with an eye towards content implementation.
• Experience working with state script/animation blueprints to augment animation functionality and engine performance.
• Proficiency in Maya game animation asset creation, with a solid understanding of the principles of character animation and rigging.
• Strong problem-solving skills, both in content creation tools and in-game systems.
• Highly organized, self-driven, and a great team player!

• Experience with animation retargeting pipelines
• 1st Person animation experience
• Scripting experience (Python, C+, Lua, etc.)

• Resume & Cover Letter
• Portfolio, and / or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and Star Craft, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards.

Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via , Xbox, Play Station, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world s largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, Candy Crush and Bubble Witch. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of…