Unreal 5 Technical Animator / Animation Engineer (GameDev)

TL;DR

Unreal 5 Technical Animator / Animation Engineer (GameDev): Develop and optimize runtime animation systems for a next-generation UFC-style fighting game built in Unreal Engine 5, integrating motion-capture data, procedural blending, and AI-driven animation technology. Focus on building and refining Animation Blueprints, Control Rigs, and custom AnimGraph nodes, ensuring lifelike character motion, and optimizing animation graphs to meet 60 FPS / 4K console targets.

Location: Hybrid / Remote, with a preference for Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Company

hirify.global is developing a next-generation UFC-style fighting game.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and maintain character animation frameworks for combat, movement, and transitions.
• Build and optimize Animation Blueprints, Control Rigs, and custom AnimGraph nodes.
• Implement AI-driven animation blending using technologies like Motion Matching, PFNN, and Neural State Machine.
• Collaborate with animators to integrate mocap data into procedural runtime systems.
• Develop contact-aware IK with Chaos Physics integration and extend Unreal’s Pose Search and Motion Warping systems.
• Establish efficient mocap to runtime pipelines, integrate animation debugging tools, and optimize animation graphs for console targets.

Requirements

• 8+ years professional experience as an Animation, Gameplay, or Technical Engineer in Unreal Engine (UE4 / UE5).
• Deep knowledge of Unreal Animation Framework, C++, Blueprint, and Control Rig.
• Strong understanding of state machines, blend spaces, IK solvers, and procedural animation.
• Experience with motion-capture data cleanup, retargeting, and runtime blending.
• Proven track record in real-time character animation for action, sports, or fighting titles.
• Strong math foundation (linear algebra, quaternions, kinematics).

Nice to have

• Experience with animation development on combat fighting games.
• Familiarity with AI-driven animation (Motion Matching, PFNN, Neural State Machines).
• Experience using ONNX Runtime or UE Neural Network Inference Plugin.
• Exposure to physics-driven or ragdoll blending systems (Chaos Physics).
• Proficiency in Python / C# tool scripting for animation pipelines.
• Shipped title experience on PS5 / Xbox Series X / PC.

Culture & Benefits

• Contribute to code reviews and documentation.
• Opportunity to mentor junior engineers.
• Collaborate with combat design, animation, and physics teams.
• Partner with Gameplay Engineering to expose animation parameters to combat logic.
• Support Design in defining move lists and animation data structures.
• Liaise with Art & Animation leads to ensure creative fidelity and technical feasibility.