Principal Gameplay Engineer, Animation

Job Description:

• Architect and implement animation and gameplay systems with long-term stability and scalability in mind
• Design and own core character animation pipelines including locomotion, combat, and cinematic systems in close collaboration with animators and designers
• Prototype and iterate rapidly on features, embracing critical feedback and applying it constructively
• Advocate for quality, stability, performance, and appropriate prioritization across the project
• Coordinate efforts across products to encourage code and feature sharing
• Bring technical excellence across multiple features and platforms, optimizing and fixing bugs in existing animation and gameplay systems
• Collaborate across disciplines with design, art, audio, and production to problem-solve and generate new ideas
• Proactively identify opportunities and challenges before they become blockers
• Participate in play testing and provide hands-on feedback as the project progresses

• 10+ years of game development experience with experience in animation engineering
• At least one shipped title on Play Station and PC, ideally multiple
• Strong C++ skills with the ability to architect gameplay mechanics, animation systems, and tools
• Proficiency with multiple tools in Unreal Engine's animation tech stack, including:
  Anim Blueprints, Animation Montages, Blend Spaces, State Machines, Anim Notifies and Anim Notify States, Linked Anim Graphs, Linked Anim Instances, Mirroring, Inertialization, and Control Rig
• Solid understanding of skeletal mesh rigging, retargeting, and IK within Unreal Engine
• Experience implementing various animation synchronization methods, including time-warping and sync markers
• Deep understanding of the difference between the Update and Evaluate phases of an Anim Instance
• Comfortable with local vs. component space in animation calculations and blends, with an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of each
• Deep familiarity with the pipelines, tools, and processes of creating, building, shipping, and supporting live games
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of inspiring teams
• A passion for multiplayer online gaming and a rich history of playing across a wide variety of game genres.

• All roles require up to 10% air travel. Examples include Studio/Team Offsites, Team/Studio Events, etc.