Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) – Remote or On-Site

Summary

Studio Wildcard is the developer of the popular video game ARK: Survival Evolved, and they are seeking a talented Technical Animator to join their team. The role involves designing and implementing high-impact animation systems using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance current solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
• Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
• Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
• Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
• Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems

Skills

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title
• Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems)
• Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
• Experience using Unreal Engine 5
• C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
• Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
• Degree in computer science or a related field
• Experience with Rigging and Animation
• Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
• Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
• Houdini experience

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title
• Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems)
• Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
• Experience using Unreal Engine 5

Nice to Haves

• C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
• Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
• Degree in computer science or a related field
• Experience with Rigging and Animation
• Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
• Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
• Houdini experience

Benefits

• We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums.
• Medical (5 different plans to choose from)
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) option
• 100% covered Parental Leave
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Unlimited Sick Time
• FSA/ HSA options