Technical Animation Director (unannounced project)

As a Technical Animation Director at Ubisoft, your key responsibilities include establishing and maintaining the animation pipeline, collaborating with animators and developers to improve animation systems, and supporting the animation programmer in setting up procedural animation systems and full-body IK. Additionally, you will mentor your team, ensuring that every member has the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.

To apply for the Technical Animation Director position at Ubisoft, you should have at least 7 years of experience in animation within the gaming industry, with 3 years in a leadership role. A strong understanding of game engines like Unity and Unreal, as well as proficiency in scripting languages including Python and C#, is essential. A degree in 3D animation, computer science, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Candidates for the Technical Animation Director role at Ubisoft should be familiar with various technologies, including game engines like Unity and Unreal, as well as 3D software such as MotionBuilder, 3ds Max, and Maya. Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, C#, and JavaScript is crucial for successful implementation of animation systems and pipelines.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Technical Animation Director role at Ubisoft. You will work closely with animators, developers, and riggers to enhance animation systems and support procedural animation, ensuring that both the creative vision and technical needs are met. Your ability to communicate effectively will foster a productive team environment and lead to the creation of immersive gaming experiences.

Ubisoft is supportive of talent from outside Canada. If you need a work permit for the Technical Animation Director position, your eligibility will be determined based on your educational background and relevant work experience, aligning with the government’s requirements. It's an opportunity to join a dynamic team in an exciting city!

When responding, be sure to discuss your previous experience managing animation teams and the specific pipeline processes you’ve established. Highlight any tools or technologies you’ve successfully implemented and the impact it had on production efficiency.

Share your methodology for assessing both aspects. Mention the strategies you employ to ensure animations are not only visually appealing but also run smoothly within the game engine. Use examples from your previous work to provide context.

Focus on mentorship techniques that promote continuous learning, such as regular one-on-one sessions, workshops, and encouraging collaborative projects. Illustrate your past experience in nurturing talent and how it benefited the team.

Discuss specific challenges related to deadlines, team dynamics, or technical restrictions. Highlight the creative solutions you employed and the outcomes that resulted, showcasing your problem-solving abilities.

Give a detailed account of your experience with MotionBuilder, including your familiarity with its scripting capabilities in Python. Share specific projects where you applied it, emphasizing the results achieved.

Elaborate on your understanding and application of procedural animation, including tools you've used and the projects where you've implemented these techniques. Make sure to mention outcomes and how they enhanced gameplay.

Discuss your approach to receiving and incorporating feedback constructively. Use examples to illustrate how collaborative adjustments have previously strengthened the final animation outcome.

Emphasize the importance of open lines of communication within your team and across departments. Provide examples of how effective communication has led to successful project completion under your guidance.

Mention specific resources, communities, and forums you engage with to keep abreast of industry trends. Discuss any relevant courses or conferences you attend that have contributed to your professional growth.

Share your visions for the future, focusing on how you intend to push animation boundaries, enhance team synergy, and contribute to the overall success of projects at Ubisoft. This demonstrates your ambition and alignment with the company’s goals.