Senior/Principal Gameplay/3C Animator (AAA Open-World Game)

Role Overview:

Tencent TiMi Studio Group is seeking an experienced Senior or Principal 3C Animator to join our team in developing a AAA, realistic, open-world, third-person action/shooting game on PC and console platforms. In this role, you will lead the design, implementation, and quality control of all Player 3C (Camera, Character, Control) animations. You will drive technical innovations, optimize motion capture workflows, and ensure the character animations reach AAA standards, delivering an exceptional player experience. This role is open to following locations: Seattle, WA; Palo Alto, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Irvine, CA; Montreal, Vancouver, or Toronto in Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and execution of 3C animation solutions, ensuring high-quality character animations that enhance player engagement and immersion.
• Leverage your extensive AAA project experience to offer technical insights and provide creative 3C design suggestions to game designers from animation perspectives.
• Guide and mentor other animators within the team, raising the overall quality and consistency of 3C performance across the project.
• Optimize motion capture workflows, from pre-production planning to actor direction and post-production animation.
• Work closely with the Stakeholders and 3C Designer module Product Owner (PO) to ensure the 3C animations align with the game's overall vision and quality goals.
• Work alongside the engineering team to design animation blueprints and state machines that integrate seamlessly into the game, ensuring smooth and natural animations.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience working on AAA realistic third-person action or shooting games, particularly in 3C animation and motion capture processes.
• Deep understanding of the Player Character Animation’s in-game mechanics and logic, with the ability to design animation asset structures and production guidelines based on the project’s specific needs. Additionally, able to provide implementation solutions within the engine.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5’s animation features (Blueprints, State Machines, etc.) is preferred but not mandatory.
• Expertise in full motion capture workflows, including pre-production, actor selection, on-set direction, and animation implementation.
• Strong collaboration skills with game designers, engineers, and technical artists, contributing to innovative and efficient animation solutions.
• Excellent animation design and aesthetic judgment, with a focus on driving both technical improvements and animation quality.
• Open to and comfortable working in a cross-cultural environment.
• Bilingual in Mandarin is preferred but not required to communicate with major stakeholders.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to work with industry-leading talent on a global AAA game project.
• A key role in shaping the core design and development of 3C animations, directly impacting player experience and game quality.
• Professional growth and development opportunities, providing a platform for technical innovation and creative input.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment focused on pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity.