Technical Artist/Animator - Unity

As a Technical Artist/Animator at Swoove, your primary responsibilities will include optimizing rendering solutions for the URP, writing custom shaders, and creating real-time animation systems. You'll bridge the gap between art and technology by collaborating with artists and developers to implement high-quality animations and troubleshoot technical issues. Your role is vital in ensuring both visual fidelity and performance in our mobile app.

To apply for the Technical Artist/Animator position at Swoove, candidates should have strong experience with Unity, especially with URP and a solid foundation in shader programming using HLSL or Shader Graph. A deep understanding of real-time rendering, animation systems, and Inverse Kinematics is crucial, as well as proficiency in scripting with C#. Ideal candidates will also have experience in developing tools for artists and optimizing performance in Unity.

Swoove encourages career growth for Technical Artists/Animators by providing opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects and fostering a flexible work environment. You'll have a chance to influence the artistic and technical direction of the app, and as a rapidly innovating studio, we offer various pathways for your professional development, whether through mentorship or exposure to new technologies.

A Technical Artist/Animator at Swoove should be proficient in Unity and familiar with tools like HLSL, Shader Graph, and animation systems within Unity such as Animator Controller and Animation Rigging. Knowledge of DCC tools (like Blender or Maya) and experience with GPU profiling and performance optimization are also valuable in this role.

The role of Technical Artist/Animator at Swoove is unique because you will be at the intersection of art and technology, working to make quality animation accessible to a wide audience. You'll have the creative freedom to design and implement advanced rendering techniques while collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in mobile animation.

To optimize rendering performance in Unity, I'd start by assessing the current rendering pipeline and identifying bottlenecks. Techniques like reducing draw calls, using texture atlases, and implementing LOD (Level of Detail) are essential. I would profile GPU performance to gain insights into which assets are costly and apply batching to combine meshes where possible.

In my previous roles, I worked extensively with shader programming, particularly using HLSL and Shader Graph. I developed custom shaders for various visual effects, focusing on both performance and aesthetic appeal. I can share specific examples of how my shaders contributed to achieving the desired look for projects.

I've implemented various animation systems in Unity, utilizing Animator Controllers and Animation Rigging to create smooth transitions and dynamic responses. My experience includes setting up state machines and blending animations effectively to ensure a responsive user experience.

I faced a challenge with real-time IK systems when attempting to integrate them into our animations. The initial implementation led to unexpected behavior in character movement. I systematically debugged the rigging and adjusted the algorithm, which ultimately improved character responsiveness and enhanced the user's experience.

I actively stay updated by participating in online communities, attending industry conferences, and following key publications in the game development field. Subscribing to forums and platforms like GitHub also helps me learn about emerging techniques that can improve my work in rendering and animation.

Collaboration is crucial in my role as a Technical Artist/Animator. I work closely with artists to understand their creative vision and with developers to ensure technical feasibility. Open communication fosters innovation and helps troubleshoot issues swiftly, ensuring the project stays on track.

I view constructive feedback as an opportunity for growth. I would first listen carefully to the feedback, seeking clarification if needed. Then, I'd evaluate the suggestions and implement changes as necessary, always aiming to enhance the animation in line with the project goals while preserving the original artistic vision.

I developed a custom pipeline tool that automates standard import/export workflows for artists. This tool significantly reduced the time artists spent preparing assets for animation, enabling them to focus more on creativity rather than repetitive tasks.

My approach to debugging rigging and skinning issues begins with checking the hierarchy of bones in the rig and ensuring the weights are correctly assigned. I use Unity's built-in debugging tools to visualize the skinning process, making it easier to identify and resolve issues promptly.

My biggest achievement was developing a fully automated asset pipeline for animation that integrated seamlessly with Unity. This project not only streamlined our workflow but also improved overall team efficiency, leading to faster project completion and higher quality animations.