Principal Technical Animator (Gameplay)

TL;DR

Principal Technical Animator (Unreal Engine): Defining the technical vision and architectural framework for character animation integration across AAA titles with an accent on scalability, performance, and next-gen animation technologies. Focus on driving R&D in Motion Matching and AI animation, optimizing runtime performance, and perfecting 3C mechanics to maximize game feel.

Location: Hybrid (Brighton, Prague, or Brno)

Company

hirify.global is a leading global publisher and developer of world-class video games, overseeing studios like Hangar 13.

What you will do

• Architect the high-level design of gameplay animation systems ensuring scalability and seamless real-time integration.
• Lead R&D initiatives to implement cutting-edge technologies such as Motion Matching, ML/AI animation, and next-gen physics.
• Partner with Engineering and Tech Animation leadership to implement project-wide roadmaps and toolsets.
• Solve complex runtime bugs and drive animation optimization to meet strict performance and memory budgets.
• Define and document technical standards and pipeline workflows for the wider technical animation team.
• Collaborate with Design and Animation leads to perfect 3C mechanics (character, camera, controls).

Requirements

• Must be based in or able to work from Brighton, Prague, or Brno.
• Extensive experience architecting and integrating gameplay animation systems for AAA titles using Unreal Engine.
• Mastery of Unreal Engine’s animation suite, including Anim Blueprints, Motion Matching, Control Rig, and State Machines.
• Deep technical understanding of runtime optimization, memory management, and threading for animation.
• Proven track record of aligning Art, Design, and Engineering directors on complex technical visions.
• Portfolio demonstrating a history of solving complex, innovative technical animation challenges in shipped titles.

Nice to have

• Strong proficiency in C++ for extending Unreal Engine and Python for pipeline automation.
• Experience contributing to proprietary engine tools or custom modifications to Unreal's core animation code.
• Production experience with Maya API, MotionBuilder, or Houdini for pipeline integration.
• Background in traditional animation or motion capture data manipulation.

Culture & Benefits

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and equal employment opportunity.
• Provision of reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
• Opportunity to act as a technical authority and mentor senior and mid-level animators.
• Collaborative environment working on world-class animation quality and responsiveness.