Principal Animator - Unannounced Game | Irvine, CA

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Job Description:

At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share.  Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that cultivates the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.

We are looking for a Principal Animator to help craft a new, unannounced game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality animations through artistic and technical expertise. You understand how to expertly author and integrate a variety of animation work while collaborating effectively across departments. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose. 

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work from home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities:

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Working closely with the art director, collaborate with design, art, code, and VFX departments to define and deliver complex animation work to a high standard

• Use your expertise in gameplay animation to guide our working practices from iterative prototyping to final best-in-class execution

• Create artifacts (creation briefs, presentations, etc.) to guide the work of internal and external animator

• Directly contribute to the practical work of taking animation from prototype to completion

• Remain current on industry trends including advancement in commercial game engines and workflow efficiencies

• Own and drive the most creatively challenging animation work, demonstrating the high bar for your department

• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions within the area of animation

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in AAA game animation

• Proven experience, having shipped multiple major titles in a relevant role

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working with a AAA game engine with a strong understanding of implementation and integration into the pipeline

• Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of gameplay and cinematic animation creation

• A portfolio, with examples and detailed breakdowns showcasing your practical work

• An understanding of how to use animation to add quality to the satisfying feel of gameplay   

• Experience collaborating to develop technology and improve animation pipelines and tools

• Solid understanding of the work that goes into character art creation and technical animation work

Key Attributes

• A team-oriented approach to your work, understanding the importance of collaboration, and partnering with all departments

• The ability to inspire others with an enthusiastic approach to game development and improving core skills

• Self-motivated ability to lead initiatives with little oversight

• Passion for playing a variety of video games

Extra Points

• Experience working through early development R&D phases of a project is a plus

• Leadership or management experience is useful but not required

Required Application Materials:

• Resume

• Online demo reel of professional 3D work (personal work is also a plus)

• Must be willing to take an art test if requested to do so

Your Platform

At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we’ve been creating genre-defining games for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. We’re on a quest: bring our dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Hard work, iteration and polish go into the Blizzard “secret recipe,” but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision. If that sounds like you, join us

Our World

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.