Senior Animation Engineer

As a Senior Animation Engineer at 31st Union, your responsibilities include designing, developing, and optimizing animation systems for a AAA game. You will collaborate closely with animation, art, and gameplay teams to create high-performance character animations, ensuring they blend seamlessly with game mechanics while offering a realistic experience for players.

To qualify for the Senior Animation Engineer role at 31st Union, candidates should have strong proficiency in C++ programming and experience with game engine internals related to animation systems. Additionally, a solid understanding of 3D math, experience with Unreal Engine 4/5, and a proven track record of working on shipped AAA titles are essential.

31st Union fosters a collaborative environment for Senior Animation Engineers by encouraging teamwork across disciplines, including animators, designers, and engineers. This synergy allows for innovative approaches to character movement and animation blending, ensuring all team members contribute to the project's creative vision.

Key experiences that are advantageous for the Senior Animation Engineer role include a deep background in procedural animation, knowledge of animation middleware like Autodesk MotionBuilder, and familiarity with the Unreal Engine’s animation tools, including Animation Blueprint and Sequencer, all of which enhance your ability to deliver compelling gameplay.

The expected salary range for the Senior Animation Engineer position at 31st Union is between $120,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on factors such as market location and individual qualifications. Additionally, total compensation may include bonuses or equity awards along with a comprehensive benefits package.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of animation systems you’ve worked on, including details about tools you used, such as Unreal Engine’s Animation Blueprint or Control Rig. Highlight how you used these tools to implement innovative solutions or optimize animation systems in past projects.

Discuss your ability to communicate effectively with cross-disciplinary teams. Emphasize the importance of regular meetings and feedback sessions in your workflow and share examples of successful collaborations where you integrated animation systems with gameplay mechanics.

Explain the techniques you employ for performance optimization, such as using profiling tools, simplifying complex animations, or employing level of detail (LOD) strategies. Discuss how these methods have helped you improve the overall player experience in previous projects.

When asked this question, define procedural animation and provide examples of how you have utilized it in past projects. Discuss specific techniques like inverse kinematics and how they contributed to creating dynamic character movements.

Speak to your adaptability and willingness to revise your work based on feedback. Express that you see constructive criticism as an opportunity to learn and improve. Share examples of past experiences where feedback resulted in a successful outcome.

Demonstrate your industry knowledge by discussing current trends, such as advancements in real-time animation tools or the impact of AI on animation practices. Mention how staying informed motivates you to innovate in your work.

Detail your approach to testing and iterating animation integrations, highlighting your methods for working closely with gameplay engineers. Share practical examples of how your solutions enhanced player interactions within the game.

Describe specific challenges you encountered in past projects and articulate how you overcame them. Focus on problem-solving strategies and how they contributed to your growth as an engineer.

Explain the practices you follow to stay updated on animation techniques, such as participating in online courses, attending conferences, and engaging with online communities. Showing your commitment to continuous learning can resonate positively in an interview.

Share your perspective on the importance of animation in creating an immersive gaming experience. Discuss how effective animation can impact game dynamics and player engagement, and offer insights on how you contribute to this aspect in your work.