Lead Technical Animator

Hangar 13 is the internal 2K development studio behind the award-winning Mafia franchise. The studio is comprised of industry veterans drawn from a diverse range of studios, who have collectively shipped hundreds of titles across a wide variety of genres. Though we hail from all over the world, and our backgrounds are wildly different, one thing binds us all together – the belief that “Every Player’s Story is Unique.”

Hangar 13 is based in four locations: Novato (California), Brighton (UK), and Brno & Prague (Czech Republic).

We work collaboratively across our 4 locations to develop games as one global team. Each of our locations provides the opportunity to work on big-budget, AAA console in a diverse and inclusive environment!

Located just 45 minutes via train from London, Brighton is one of the UK’s most diverse and downright interesting cities. Sat right on the south coast of England, the city is home to a vibrant creative community and is known as an easy-going and tolerant place to live and work. Brighton is home to Victorian piers and palaces, brightly coloured stucco homes and a 5-mile long shingle beach which becomes a post-work social hub during the summer months.

Onsite amenities inside our state-of-the-art Brighton studio include a fully equipped kitchen, games room, gym (with showers) and our very own bar. We’re a 30 second walk from Brighton station.

Who We Are

Hangar 13 is an internal 2K development studio that creates influential AAA video game experiences across all major platforms. The studio is based in four locations around the world: Brighton (UK), Brno & Prague (Czech Republic) and across the US, working collaboratively as one team. Each of our locations provides the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated developers in the industry, on creatively challenging and exciting projects, in a diverse and welcoming environment.

Our focus is on making the highest quality games with sustainable, healthy development plans; to tell stories that engage players through worlds and experiences that keep them hooked from start to finish.

We strive to be a studio where our team members know they can make a difference and grow professionally alongside creating games they are proud of.

What We Need

We are looking for a skilled Lead Technical Animator who is articulate about the state of the technical animation for modern AAA games, is passionate about empowering technical animators and the team, and is adept at problem-solving for unexpected and unique challenges. We are also looking for highly experienced Unreal Engine user. In addition, you will act as a hub and facilitator of technical knowledge for Engineering, Design, Animation, and Art and be a mentor for Technical Animators as they progress in their careers.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Manage technical artists, mentor and guide the team.
• Collaborate interdepartmentally to establish, refine, and optimize animation pipelines and procedures.
• Create Animation and Art tools for artists and animators.
• Work with all aspects of the animation export and implementation pipeline.
• Work with animators to resolve any roadblocks to their workflow.
• Work with TDs to integrate final and intermediate rigs in-game.
• Setup & manage Animation Source data as well as Engine side, for example Data Assets, Overlays, Character Templates, etc..
• Communicate with Design and Engineering to better anticipate and advise on animation-related technical issues.
• Work closely with engineers to setup & implement game animation systems, such as locomotion & state Blueprints, ensuring project performance.

What We’re Looking For:

You are someone who can see the bigger picture but also not lose track of the nitty-gritty details. Someone who is comfortable planning expandable pipelines, as well as implementing ad hoc fixes that are needed for rapid prototyping. But also quick to learn about and integrate new systems and tech. Most importantly, you are responsive, self-initiating, and work well with others.

• Solid experience working with animation game systems.
• Experienced in a leadership position managing technical Animators.
• Experience managing and updating animation pipeline tools.
• Strong creative and technical problem-solving skills.
• Degree in Computer Animation, Computer Science, or related experience.
• Comfortable with an industry-standard scripting language such as Python & DCC languages. C++ or C# a plus.
• Expert knowledge of Maya and Motionbuilder.
• Experience building animation systems such as Animation Blueprints, Mecanim, Morpheme, or comparable systems.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to collaborate across multiple locations effectively.
• At least one shipped AAA game.

You Might Also Have:

• Comfortable with version control software, particularly Perforce.
• Familiar with asset/ Task tracking clients like JIRA and Shotgun.
• Familiar with Havok and or FBX SDK
• Familiar with widely used animation techniques

Hangar 13 prides itself on the diversity of its team members, partners, and communities. For this reason, we remain committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship, from recruitment and hiring through compensation, benefits, discipline and termination.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are also committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the job application and/or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need to request reasonable accommodation.

SECURITY NOTICE - We have recently been made aware of increasing occurrences of bad actors posing as company HR personnel to gain information from "potential candidates", in the form of job interviews and offers. These scams can be quite sophisticated and appear legitimate.

Please know that Hangar 13 and 2K never use instant messaging apps to contact prospective employees or to conduct interviews.

If you believe you have been a victim of such a scam, you may fill out a complaint form at https://complaint.ic3.gov/ and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ detailing as much as possible. We are taking these matters very seriously and apologize for any inconvenience.

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