Technical Animation Director - AAA Project (M/F)

About the company

Ubisoft is a global leader in video games, with teams spread across the world creating original and memorable gaming experiences, from Assassin's Creed to Rainbow Six, as well as Just Dance and many others. We believe that a diversity of perspectives moves both players and teams forward. If you are passionate about innovation and want to push the boundaries of entertainment, join our adventure and help us create the unknown!

Founded in 1996, Ubisoft Annecy has participated in the group's various successful blockbusters, notably collaborating on the Splinter Cell and Assassin's Creed sagas, as well as on entire game parts such as the raid in Tom Clancy's: The Division 2 and Ghost Recon Wildlands. We are also proud to have developed our own IP, Steep and then Riders Republic!

Beyond our AAA productions, we contribute to the group's technological innovation, thanks to our technological expertise hub around the Snowdrop game engine, as well as the Technology Group in collaboration with Ubisoft Montréal.

Your tasks

Reporting directly to the Technical Director Pipeline, the holder of this position is responsible for determining, preparing, and adapting the tools that must be used during production on the Animation and Animation Graph (behavior tree) side.

• You will define the projects and improvements to be brought to the existing pipeline (Ingame Animation, Ragdoll, Facial, Rig, Motion Capture, Cinematics...)
• Develop or find the best possible tools and methods with the aim of improving and facilitating the work of animators on all subjects related to animation (character as well as gear).
• Optimize the animation graph and architecture
• Support the animation team on a daily basis to resolve their technical issues and help them make decisions to optimize ingame animation graphs.
• Technical Guarantor of compliance with constraints established in partnership with other disciplines (memory, FPS, on various consoles)
• Guarantor of the technical aspect on all multiplayer and customization / modularity subjects
• Produce documents on tools, methods, training, processes, and engine constraints for consultation and future reference
• Coordinate and act as an interlocutor between the animation team and the programming team
• Regularly communicate technical constraints and their reasoning to the animation team
• Be the technical point of contact for technical problems related to animations
• Perform all other related tasks

Requirements

Technical and artistic innovation does not scare you; it will be present to achieve the desired level of quality.

• Solid experience as a Technical Animation Director (preferably in the video game sector).
• Excellent knowledge of real-time animation systems and video games and/or pipeline development
• Excellent knowledge of Motion Builder and/or Maya, and knowledge of Body and Facial Motion Capture is a plus
• Excellent knowledge of python
• Knowledge of another DCC (maya, max, Blender..)
• Ability to work in a team and take on challenges.
• Fluent English is essential to carry out your missions
• Knowledge of Rigging / Ragdoll (Havok) desired

Other

In one of the most dynamic regions of France, Ubisoft is located in an idyllic place between lakes and mountains, in the heart of the Venice of the Alps, just 30 minutes from Geneva international airport.