Technical Animator

Who is SkyBox Labs?

Recognized as one of BC's Top Employers (2024), SkyBox Labs is a game development studio that works on some of the world’s most iconic games. The studio is currently co-developing Halo Infinite, working on projects in the Minecraft universe, supporting the dev team at Bungie on Destiny, supporting development of Fallout 76, and working on original IP. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing game studios, since our inception in 2011, SkyBox Labs has evolved from a group of 8 people to a team of over 270+ Engineers, Artists, Animators, Designers, Producers, and more! Join us in our Burnaby studio, or have the opportunity to work remotely within Canada for certain designated projects.

Interested? Let’s talk about what we’re hiring for:

SkyBox Labs is on the lookout for a Technical Animator (Rigging) to join our IP Division! Dive into the early phases of development and become a key collaborator in the creation process—from early stages to release and beyond. By collaborating with cross-functional teams to seamlessly implement high-quality animation assets into the game engine, the Tech Animator will have a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the design of our original AAA IP.

Ready to put your design skills and expertise into creating something extraordinary? Apply today!

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A snapshot of your role:

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to understand and implement project requirements
• Design, create, and maintain character rigs for complex characters
• Optimize rigs for game engine performance to streamline the rigging process
• Develop complex deformation systems, weight painting, and control systems for realistic movements
• Collaborate closely with the animation engineer to implement animations in the engine, creating and managing blueprints and assets (eg. blend spaces, aim offsets, pose drivers, etc)
• Gather feedback from animators, making necessary adjustments and improvements to rigs for optimal performance
• Work independently and proactively, managing tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision

Sound like you? This is what we're looking for:

• Portfolio/reel demonstrating high-quality rigging work in games, film, VFX, or a related field
• 3+ years of professional tech animation experience focused in rigging 
• Experience with animation implementation in engine
• Proficient in designing, creating, and maintaining gameplay character rigs, with a strong foundation in human anatomy and mechanical principles
• Experience in large game engines, including Unreal Engine 
• Proficient in Maya, with experience in Advanced Skeleton and mGear
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with engineers, designers, and animators for gathering feedback and iterating on requirements
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks with minimal supervision
• Passion for video games and creating immersive experiences!

• Experience working on rigs in a AA or AAA title is an asset
• Hands-on experience with facial rigging, cloth, hair, and facial recognition systems
• Ability to rig non-humanoid characters with unique joints and movements
• Experience with Unreal Engine's animation blueprints and character rig systems
• Knowledge of physics-based systems for dynamic elements (i.e. cloth and hair)

And here is why we think you'll love working at SkyBox Labs:

• Annual bonus and up to 3% RRSP matching available
• Comprehensive health benefits, along with a supportive Parental Leave policy
• Flexible hybrid and remote working arrangements: leverage our beautiful studio spaces as needed, and use our $400 work-from-home allowance to make your home office comfortable
• Take care of your mental health with our Employee Assistance Program, 3 weeks of vacation leave, and our free gym at our Burnaby Studio
• We relentlessly support your growth and development! Level up your C++ skills at SkyBox University, explore other disciplines through our Guild Program, and expand your game dev knowledge with Lunch & Learns. You’ll join a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and personal growth.
• Social events! Have fun with the team at trivia nights, karaoke nights, movie nights, and various group activities. Join our soccer team, game jams, or a board game sesh after work. You name it, we’ve got it!
• Generous relocation allowance to support your move to Vancouver
• You’ll contribute to industry-leading titles, from legendary AAA franchises to Original IP

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Our commitment to you:

SkyBox Labs is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workforce. You’ll join a collaborative, inclusive culture. One where we succeed together – across the desk and around Canada. Where like-minded people work naturally together to achieve great things (and games!).

Only candidates who reside in Canada or are willing to relocate will be considered for this role. Additionally, although we appreciate all interest, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Learn more about us at https://skyboxlabs.com/ 

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