Associate Animator, Layout
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Who We Are...
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From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We've been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world's largest franchises. Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what's next!
Avalanche, a division of WB Games Inc. seeks an Associate Animator with layout experience. Join the team who created Hogwarts Legacy, an open world, action RPG set in the Wizarding World!
As an Associate Animator on Avalanche's cinematic team, you'll be at the forefront of creating captivating cinematic content through camera, animation, and implementation. You'll work closely with our multidisciplinary team to craft unforgettable experiences for players worldwide.
*Please note that this is a hybrid role that must be based in Salt Lake City, UT.
Key Responsibilities
- Create quality keyframe animations for characters, creatures, and environmental elements
- Be versatile working with motion capture data, keyframe animation, and in-engine manipulation of animation content
- For cinematic layout on a narrative-driven RPG, you'll block cameras, characters, and environments to shape composition, staging, and pacing for key cinematics and gameplay moments.
- Implement cinematic content into the game
- Collaborate with designers and programmers to implement and refine animations in Unreal Engine 5
- Participate in motion capture sessions and process mocap data for in-game use
- Contribute to the evolution of our animation pipeline and workflow optimizations
- Work closely with art directors to ensure animations align with the game's visual style and narrative goals
Qualifications
- At least 1 year of game animation experience or a combination of experience with a BA in art or related field
- Knowledge of Maya, MotionBuilder, and Unreal Engine 5's animation systems
- Good understanding of human and animal anatomy, locomotion, and performance
- Experience with procedural animation techniques and runtime animation systems
- Skilled at visual storytelling through strong camera work, staging, and blocking to create clear, dynamic scenes that support story and gameplay
- Proficiency in animating both realistic and stylized characters
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Excellent communication skills and a positive, solution-oriented attitude
- Portfolio demonstrating a range of animation styles and technical proficiency
- Experience with implementing cinematic content in Unreal's Sequencer
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Nice to Have
- Knowledge of rigging and skinning techniques
- Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages for animation tools
- Background in traditional animation or fine arts
How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA With Employer Contribution
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- FSA
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- On-site/Nearby Childcare
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- Company Outings
- Snacks
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Sabbatical
- Volunteer Time Off
- Summer Fridays
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Company Equity
- Stock Purchase Program
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Financial Counseling
- 401(K)
- Profit Sharing
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
- Work Visa Sponsorship
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
- Learning and Development Stipend
- Access to Online Courses
- Professional Coaching
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)