Animation Jobs in Quebec (NOW HIRING)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Lead Animator(Animationand Tech Animation)

DISCIPLINE: Animation

REPORTS TO: Animation Director

The Studio

Compulsion Games is a first-party game studio and subsidiary of Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios,locatedin Montreal, Canada.

Founded by industry veterans, we have a human-first culture where we trust and respect each other, with shared love and passion for our craft. Our games have won praise and awards for their art, music, world-building, and engaging narratives. We are devoted to building experiences that feel unique and handcrafted, and our programming team is here to make sure our content creators and designers are as creative as they can be.

We aim to create characters with compelling, human flaws and narratives that explore heavy themes with care and empathy. Our storytelling typically has a healthy dose of darkness and comedy thrown in for good measure.

Our Culture

Compulsion Games is a quality-led studio with a humble team that enjoys experimenting with an artistic approach to making games. We like to hire people who are drawn to our core values of trust, autonomy,harmonyand craftsmanship and share our vision of a studio built around them. As a team, we do not want to grow too big to stay true to these values, as theydon'tscale well.

A core part of our hiring process is ensuring new hires are well-alignedin order tobuild a harmonious team and company. We care deeply about our team and their wellbeing, soyou'dbe joining a close-knit group who are creative,inclusiveandcareabout developing one another.

The Need

We'relooking to add a talentedLeadto our human-sizedanimationteam,to support and mentor ourteam of8people (animators, technicalanimatorsand animation systems designers). We need somebodythat has a strong understanding of both the tech and craftof animation, who is excited aboutusingthose skills to help lead and support theteamthroughout the entire production process.Success in this role is as much aboutshippingagreatteamas it is agreatgame.

The Role

As aLead AnimatoratCompulsion Games,you willbe responsible forleading andmentoringthefullanimationand technicalanimationteam, to help achieve the needs of the project while celebratingand empoweringthe craft ofbringinginteractivecharactersto life.Beyond supporting the full animation team, you willalsocollaborate withthe tech, design, art,narrativeand production teamto bring our worlds and characters to lifein waysthat enhance gameplay and storytelling.

Responsibilities:

• You arepeople-focused individual. As a professional, you deeply care for your colleagues and are alwaystheretosupportthem.

• Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with a diverse groupof artists, designers,programmersand producers.

• Leadandmentora team of animatorsand technical animators, providing feedback and guidance tomaintainquality,consistencyand collaboration.

• Be theprimary point of supportfor the team to help unblock any technical or production issuesencountered.

• Collaborate with theAnimation Directortoexecute ontheanimation style and visionofthe project.

• Develop and refinerigging and animation workflowstooptimizeefficiency and pipeline processes.

• Workclosely withthedesignand tech teamsto ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and player experience.

• Work closely withtheart,designand tech teamsto ensurecharacters and creatures are developedina way to meet both production and experientialneeds.

• Ensure animationsand charactersintegrate seamlessly intoUnreal Engine, troubleshooting and refining as needed.

• Help to conductanimationteamreviews,maintainingconsistencyandensuringanimationsand technical animation workmeet production goals.

• Bea part of the tech leadership groupto help shape the tech direction of the project.

• Stay up to date withindustry trends and advancements in animation technology.
  

Skills and Experience:

• Previousexperience in a leadership role in an animationor technical animation team

• Strong animation and technical animation skills

• Strong communicationand leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and mentor a team

• Proficiencyin Maya, Blender, or other industry-standard animation tools

• Strong understanding of rigging and DCC animation tools and pipelines

• Strong understanding of character motion, physics, and animation principles

• Strong codingorscripting knowledge to help develop animation and character pipelines

• Experience with organizing and defining priorities, within the team and with other disciplines

• Experience working with motion capture and keyframe animation

• Familiarity with Unreal Engine and real-time animation workflows

• Passion for creatingunique and expressive characters

What We Offer

Whilst weoperatea hybrid work environment, our preference is to hire applicants who can spend time in the studio regularly; therefore, we will prioritize applicants local to Montreal and/or within Quebec province.

Ifyou'reeager to contribute to a team that's redefining storytelling in games,we'dlove to hear from you.