<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Summary</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">We are seeking a skilled </span><span data-contrast="auto">Animation Engineer</span><span data-contrast="auto"> to join our team and help develop the systems and technology that bring characters to life in a new IP AAA open world game. As an Animation Engineer at Absurd Ventures, you will work closely with Animators, Gameplay Engineers, Designers, and Technical Artists to build and support responsive, performant, high-quality character animation systems in Unreal Engine.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You will contribute to runtime animation systems, tools, and workflows that enable the team to create believable characters while meeting the technical and performance demands of a large-scale game. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys solving problems at the intersection of animation, gameplay, and technology.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Core Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop, maintain, and improve runtime animation systems for player characters, NPCs, creatures and enemy characters.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Work closely with Animators, Designers, and Gameplay and AI Engineers to implement responsive, high-quality character behaviors and animation-driven gameplay.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Build and support animation systems for locomotion, traversal, interactions, combat, crowds and other gameplay scenarios.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop tools and workflows that improve the efficiency and iteration speed of the Animation team.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Implement and support animation functionality using C++, Blueprints, Animation Blueprints, state machines, blend spaces, montages, and other Unreal Engine animation technologies.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with Technical Animation and Technical Art to integrate character rigs, animation assets, and procedural systems into the game.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Profile and optimize animation systems for runtime performance, memory, and scalability.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Work within existing engineering architecture and contribute clean, maintainable, well-documented code.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Participate in code reviews and technical discussions and contribute to engineering standards and best practices.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Proactively identify animation technology risks and communicate technical challenges and potential solutions to the appropriate disciplines.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Core Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">3+ years of professional experience as a Gameplay Engineer or similar role in the video game industry, including work on animation systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong C++ programming skills and experience developing real-time game systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Professional experience working with Unreal Engine.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong understanding of real-time character animation concepts, including animation blending, state machines, locomotion, inverse kinematics, and animation-driven gameplay.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience working with Unreal Engine animation systems such as Animation Blueprints, Blend Spaces, Montages, and skeletal animation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong debugging and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues spanning code and animation content.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience collaborating directly with Animators, Designers, Technical Artists, and other Engineers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Plus if...</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>&