Character Technical Artist - Real Time Mocap Rigging Tools Unreal Engine - Melbourne
$90,000 - $110,000 per annum negotiable on skills
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Industry sector: Animation, Art
Job type: Permanent | Full Time
We are seeking a Mid-Senior Level Character Technical Artist to work on our 3D iGaming studio powered by Unreal Engine. The successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining character asset pipelines from concept through to final integration in Unreal Engine 5.
Position Overview
As a Mid- Level Character Technical Artist, you will work at the intersection of art, technology, and animation. You will collaborate with character concept artists, Unreal developers, and mocap supervisors to ensure characters meet the technical and artistic goals of our games.
Key Responsibilities
* Evaluate, expand, and maintain the full end-to-end character asset pipeline
* Build and refine custom rigs and deformation systems for real-time and cinematic character use
* Develop modular character creation systems with scalability and flexibility in mind
* Work with cloth, hair, and soft-body physics systems for real-time simulation
* Integrate and refine workflow of real-time motion capture data from a variety of mocap systems
* Collaborate with animators to develop animation control rigs and pipeline tools
* Coordinate with outsourcing vendors, giving clear notes and feedback throughout the asset lifecycle
* Work directly with Unreal Engine 5 developers to ensure seamless integration of character assets into runtime environments
* Identify and resolve performance, compatibility, and quality issues across the character pipeline
* Develop shaders, materials, and FX relevant to character rendering
* Mentor junior artists and document pipeline best practices within the broader team
Skills and Experience Required
* 5+ years experience in a Character Tech Art or equivalent role in game development
* Advanced understanding of character development pipelines, including modeling, rigging, skinning, and shading
* Expert proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 and related character tools
* Strong experience with motion capture workflows (recorded and real-time) and data cleaning
* Expert-level skills in DCCs like Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
* Understanding of physics systems for cloth, hair, and soft bodies in real-time environments
* Demonstrated experience building custom rigging solutions and animation tools
* Experience building or maintaining modular character systems
* Outstanding problem-solving skills regarding creative, technical, and production issues, while keeping a professional, calm, and composed demeanor
Preferred:
* Experience with animals or monster rigs and asset workflows
* Familiarity with Python or MEL scripting for automation
* Previous work on live service or igaming titles
* Background in both realistic and stylized character pipelines
Qualifications
* No formal degree required, but practical experience is essential
* Certifications in Game Development and/or Virtual Production are highly valued
* Must submit a professional portfolio with examples of character rigs, tools, or technical breakdowns
* Demonstrated ownership of shipped projects or systems highly regarded
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
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