3D Animator

About Our Studio

Komi is a developer and publisher of games for PC and consoles headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Our focus is on the creation of fun and immersive gameplay experiences across multiple genres, as well as providing support and porting services for other developers and publishers.

Our studio has considerable experience working on a host of titles including King of Fighters XV and Psychonauts 2 along with titles of our own creation such as Mighty Fight Federation.
Our current focus is the development of a dynamic, character-driven action title in partnership with Sega.

As a small and tight knit team of industry professionals, we offer an employee experience that stands apart from what you might expect or have experienced in the games industry.
A shared love of gaming, nerd culture and a reverence for the rich history of titles we all love and enjoy revisiting not only motivates the way we interact with one another, but also informs the projects we seek to work on.

The Opportunity

3D Animators are responsible for crafting high-quality animations that bring characters, assets and environments to life to immerse players in gameplay settings.
They are required to interpret specification and animation direction, taking full ownership of the artistic process of creating animations from inception to execution to implementation in-engine.

Animators possess knowledge of how to work efficiently with animation rigs, even if they are not specialized in their development, and are required to collaborate with other departments and subject matter experts to ensure animation work adheres to overarching art and design requirements.

This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy within our Studio.

What to Expect of the Role

• Design and create high-quality animations for characters, creatures, props and other assets that carefully adhere to project gameplay mechanics and artistic vision.
  
• Collaborate with the Animation Director to brainstorm ideas, receive direction, review drafts and act upon feedback to polish gameplay animations.
  
• Work within Unreal Engine to implement, test, and refine animations for optimal integration into game environments.
  
• Work collaboratively with other teams to develop a holistic sense of style, intentionality and overall project design to inform animation work.
  
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure animations support the desired gameplay objectives and player interaction(s).
  
• Leverage industry standard tools (i.
  e.
  , Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) to produce keyframe animations.
  
• Maintain and organize animation assets within Unreal Engine's asset management system.
  
• Troubleshoot and debug animation-related concerns, collaborating with QA, code and design to ensure their regression.
  
• Participate in regularly scheduled animation meetings to discuss strategy, identify any concerns and collaborate on their resolution.
  
• Adapt to accommodate different styles and dynamics.
  
• Assist the Animation Director in supporting outsourced animation services where suitable.
  
• Perform other role-relevant duties and support special projects where required.
  

What We're Looking For

Experience and Technical Skills

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience working on gameplay animation within the industry.
  
• A minimum of one (1) shipped video game title working as a gameplay animator.
  
• A post-secondary education or equivalent work experience related to video game animation.
  
• Experience, knowledge and acumen with industry standard modelling software (e.
  g.
  , Maya, 3ds Max, Blender).
  
• Proven experience working on animation within Unreal Engine, with a focus on animation tools, sequencer, blueprints, control rigs and state machines.
  
• Knowledge of cutscenes and cinematics is considered an asset.
  
• Technical animation knowledge or exposure (i.
  e.
  , rigging, skinning, programming languages such as Python/C++) is considered an asset.
  
• Knowledge of physics-based animation and procedural systems is also a plus.
  

Soft Skills

• A solid and demonstrable understanding of animation fundamentals and best practices (timing, weight, posing, dynamics, etc.
  )
• Diligence in your ability to reliably and effectively fulfill independent work and tasks and communicate any hurdles or barriers to work completion.
  
• Adaptable and welcoming of feedback and developmental opportunities.
  
• Supportive, open and collaborative when working with others as part of a team.
  
• Demonstrable communication skills, particularly around conveying ideas clearly and in a manner that respects one's audience.
  
• Curious and engaged in continuous improvement by keeping abreast of industry trends, new techniques and approaches in video game animation.
  

Applicants must reside and work within Canada; international applicants will not be considered, though your interest in our studio is appreciated!

What We Offer

We are pleased to offer a total compensation package informed by industry best practices to our people.
All full-time, permanent employees are eligible for the following:

• A competitive and equitable salary (our target range is $65,000 to $80,000 based on experience and skill)
• A comprehensive benefits plan, including extended health, dental and wellness offerings.
  
• A company-matched group retirement savings plan with deferred profit sharing plan complement, as well as an option for a group tax-free savings account.
  
• The option of operating on a fully remote basis from a home office with no in-person mandates.
  
• Additional perks such as flex hours, unlimited personal time, and savings on work-life resources like gym memberships.
  
• The opportunity to work closely with, learn, and grow with industry professionals who have worked in this business for more than twenty years.
  

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet our qualifications are welcome and encouraged to apply by submitting a cover letter and detailed resume directly to careers@komigames.
com, or by uploading your documents to the platform you are viewing this posting on.
This posting will remain active until Friday, February 14, or an outstanding candidate is hired prior to this application deadline.
Please do not delay in submitting your application documents as this is an active recruitment file!

Our operating culture is one of mutual respect that prioritizes the personal dignity of our employees.
Komi Games believes strongly in the promotion of diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all; be it within our organization, our industry and society at large.
In accordance with company policy, reasonable accommodation will be afforded to those who require it at any step of the selection process.
Please indicate any accommodation needs by including them with your documents, or by reaching out to the email address specified above .