Technical Animator (FTC)

Technical Animator (FTC)

Dambuster Studios - creators of the BAFTA nominated Dead Island 2 - is looking for a Technical Animator for a fixed term contract until the end of March 2028. The role can be on site in Nottingham, hybrid, or fully remote within the UK.

Role overview

As a member of the Animation team, you will act as a vital link between creative and technical teams, ensuring seamless integration of animation content into the production pipeline. You will focus on developing and maintaining efficient animation workflows, creating high quality character rigs and deformation systems, and providing technical support to artists. By collaborating closely with animators, character artists, and other disciplines, you will ensure consistency, quality and performance across all animation related systems, while driving innovation and solving complex technical challenges throughout the project lifecycle.

What we can offer you

• Core hours 9.30am - 4pm, remaining hours worked flexibly
• Relocation support to Nottingham, UK (if required)
• Holiday allowance that increases with service (to a maximum of 30 days plus statutory public holidays)
• Inclusion into the studio's annual pay review (effective 1st July) following 12 months service
• Company pension contribution that increases with service
• Private Medical Insurance via AXA Health, including dental and optical cover
• Life Assurance Scheme via Zurich (x3 salary cover)
• Company enhanced full pay for maternity leave for the first 26 weeks (to qualifying expectant mothers)
• Clear career progression within Dambuster Studios
• Studio funded learning and development opportunities
• Modern game development environment with the latest technologies
• Vibrant, modern city centre location with good transport links
• Travel Loan Scheme for Nottingham based employees
• Fully subsidised gym membership with Virgin gym (Nottingham)
• Quarterly company funded cross team events such as our Annual Christmas Party, Summer Family BBQ and Teambuilding activities
• Free financial advice
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Weekly office treats, including breakfast on Monday and pastries on Friday

Responsibilities

• Acting as a bridge between creative and technical departments.
• Collaborating with other disciplines and contributing to the overall development of the project and raising any other issues to their Lead that may need to be addressed.
• Provide support and solve the problems encountered by our content creation teams, often moving between tasks to respond to issues in a timely manner.
• Defining and maintaining the standards for quality, consistency and efficiency.
• Creating technical and user documentation along with good practice guidance.
• Working closely with the Animation Leads and Character Art team, providing regular feedback to improve the Animation and Character pipelines.
• Representing a technical opinion and providing insight while attending various meetings with other stakeholders and disciplines.
• Hands on involvement, and raising the bar by guiding pipelines, processes, rigging, skinning, and character tech.
• Creating high quality animation rigs and character skinning for body and facial.
• Designing, developing and implementing animation pipelines that facilitate animators work in Maya character animation systems, including facial setups and performance capture workflows.
• Collaborating with other game departments and contributing to the overall development of the project and raising any other issues that may need to be addressed.

Requirements

• Solid understanding of character deformation techniques and dynamics.
• Solid understanding of facial rigging methodologies.
• Good communication skills and a great team player attitude.
• Collaborate with other disciplines on technical requirements for the animation pipelines.
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine 4/5 and the associated animation system and toolset.
• Experience in Maya Python.
• Understanding of facial animation methodologies.
• Experience using Motion Capture technology, retargeting and processing data.
• Experience using Facial Capture technology and Facial Analysis software.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Dambuster Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Anyone considering their next step in their career journey with Dambuster will receive consideration without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity or paternity, or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to apply.

We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for those who require reasonable adjustments. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment or onboarding process, or if you are successful in securing a position with us, please let us know what we can do to ensure your success.