cactuspunch.pro

About the Project

We are developing an original Dark Fantasy Action RPG for PC built with Unreal Engine 5.7.

The project combines skill-based melee combat, RPG progression, and a dark atmospheric world, with a strong focus on responsive combat and high-quality character animation.

We are looking for a Technical Animator who can take ownership of the technical side of character animation and help build a reliable animation pipeline for the project.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain character animation systems in Unreal Engine 5.7.
• Work with Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Animation Montages, and animation logic.
• Set up and maintain IK Rig, IK Retargeter, Control Rig, and retargeting workflows.
• Build and support locomotion and combat animation systems.
• Integrate character animations with gameplay systems in close collaboration with Gameplay Programmers and Game Designers.
• Work with character rigs, skinning, deformation, and animation setup.
• Troubleshoot and optimize animation systems for real-time performance.
• Develop and improve technical animation workflows and tools.
• Support Animators and Character Artists with technical solutions and pipeline improvements.
• Help establish technical animation standards and best practices for the project.
• Identify technical issues in the animation pipeline and provide production-ready solutions.

Requirements

• 2+ years of professional experience specifically as a Technical Animator in GameDev.
• Proven experience working as a Technical Animator on game projects, not primarily as a 3D Artist, Character Artist, or general Technical Artist.
• Strong hands-on experience with Unreal Engine 5 and its animation systems.
• Solid experience with Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Animation Montages, and animation logic.
• Practical experience with IK Rig, IK Retargeter, Control Rig, and animation retargeting.
• Experience building and maintaining character animation pipelines for real-time games.
• Experience with locomotion and/or combat animation systems.
• Understanding of how animation systems are integrated with gameplay.
• Experience working directly with Gameplay Programmers, Animators, Character Artists, and Game Designers.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical animation issues and independently find production-ready solutions.
• Good understanding of character rigs, skinning, deformation, and real-time animation.
• English sufficient for professional communication and technical documentation.

Would Be a Plus

• Experience working on PC or console games.
• Experience on Action RPG, Soulslike, Action, or other combat-focused projects.
• Experience with Motion Matching, Motion Warping, Pose Warping, or Distance Matching.
• Experience with Gameplay Ability System (GAS).
• Python, MEL, or other scripting experience for animation tools and pipeline automation.
• Experience with cloth or physics-based character animation.
• Experience optimizing animation systems for real-time performance.
• Experience working on a shipped PC or console game.

What You Will Get

• The opportunity to work on an original Dark Fantasy Action RPG for PC built with Unreal Engine 5.7.
• A chance to directly influence the animation pipeline and technical quality of the project.
• A high level of ownership and autonomy within your area of expertise.
• Close collaboration with Game Design, Programming, Art, and Animation specialists.
• The opportunity to work on challenging character and combat animation systems.
• Long-term cooperation and professional growth together with the project.