At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences.

A career at Rockstar Games is about being part of a team working on some of the most creatively rewarding and ambitious projects to be found in any entertainment medium. You would be welcomed to a dedicated and inclusive environment where you can learn, and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.

Rockstar North is on the lookout for talented Animation Programmers to support the global Animation team.  We have multiple entry and mid-level full-time permanent positions available in the areas of gameplay and cinematics.

Successful applicants will have strong programming skills using C++, an interest in character animation, and a passion for our games.

WHAT WE DO

• We develop animation technology, from performance capture, tools, and build pipelines, through to a sophisticated runtime engine, for massive open world games.
• We are a global team of programmers and researchers who collaborate on pushing the boundaries of character animation on next generation hardware.
• We support and work closely with gameplay, animation, design, and technical art teams across multiple projects at different Rockstar studios.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with AI, gameplay, and physics code teams as well as animation, design, and technical art teams to deliver features and improve interfaces, functionality, and workflows.
• Help develop, expand, maintain, and support an extensive runtime animation system, pipeline, and tools.
• Enhance, extend, and optimize our cinematic runtime with regards to playback, synchronization, lighting, and scalability.
• Work with the AI, gameplay, and animation teams to create seamless, natural looking transitions between gameplay and scripted cinematic moments.
• Assist AI and gameplay teams in pushing the boundaries of seamless character interaction across our many contextual gameplay mechanics through in-game animated scenes, dialogue, gestures, and facial animation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in computer science or related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Interest in character animation technology, a passion for character-based games, and a good eye for character and animation aesthetics.

SKILLS

• Strong C/C++ programming skills.
• Object oriented design.
• 3D math background.
• Familiarity with common optimization and multi-threading techniques.
• Good communication skills with the ability to clearly share complex technical information with other programmers, animators, designers, and technical artists.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

• Knowledge of character animation technology such as blend trees, motion warping, layering, pose matching, facial animation, streaming and asset management, and scripted control.
• Experience with entity component system (ECS) architecture pattern.
• C# programming skills.
• Experience developing within a large existing codebase, collaborating, or working independently within a large team.
• Practical success optimizing or debugging large/complex multithreaded C++ code.
• Experience creating, extending, or working directly with an animation system within a game engine.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to hiring, promoting, and compensating employees based on their qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities.

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, or race.

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