Activision is hiring: Senior Technical Animator, Outsource – Overwatch 2 | Irvin

Overview

The world could always use more heroes.

Blizzard is seeking a highly motivated and talented Senior Technical Animator, Outsource, to join the Overwatch 2 Development team.

This role involves hands-on animation work, integrating content from our Ex-Dev partners, and collaborating with gameplay engineers to prototype new animation cosmetics for Overwatch 2.

As a Senior Technical Animator, you will collaborate closely with the Animation, Technical Art, and Gameplay Engineering teams to bring Overwatch 2's characters to life.

Your role will involve integrating animation assets into the game, troubleshooting issues in the engine and Maya, managing final asset quality, and supporting the development of exciting new cosmetic types.

This position is ideal for someone with a technical animation background who enjoys working with multi-disciplinary teams to create unique and dynamic character cosmetics for our diverse roster of 43 Heroes and counting.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work from home.

The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Implementation of approved assets into the game engine, along with making any needed polish and fixes to keep assets consistent and game ready.
• Technical ownership of future prototyping efforts to evolve the variety of animation cosmetics we ship in Overwatch 2.
• Work closely with the animation lead, senior animation supervisors, production team, and outsource manager to determine outsourcing needs, pipelines, and identify areas of improvement on technical implementation workflows.
• Lead quality control over incoming animation assets, providing detailed feedback and technical support as needed on ExDev content implementation in engine.
• Generate detailed documentation, visual references, and examples of animation asset production, procedures, and engine requirements to support our external vendors.
• Mentorship support for our team of outsource supervisors to help broaden the depth of their technical aptitude working in game engine.

Minimum Requirements

• 8+ years of AAA game experience as an animator or technical animator or equivalent.
• Extensive experience working in one or more game engines (Unreal, Unity, proprietary, etc.) with an eye towards content implementation.
• Experience working with state script/animation blueprints to augment animation functionality and engine performance.
• Proficiency in Maya game animation asset creation, with a solid understanding of the principles of character animation and rigging.
• Strong problem-solving skills, both in content creation tools and in-game systems.
• Highly organized, self-driven, and a great team player!

Extra Points

• Experience with animation retargeting pipelines
• 1st Person animation experience
• Scripting experience (Python, C+, Lua, etc.)

Required Application Materials

• Resume & Cover Letter
• Portfolio, and / or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

(www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences.

Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards.

Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment.

We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, Candy Crush and Bubble Witch.

Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.

We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment.

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry.

Not sure you meet all qualifications?

Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com.

General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here.

Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.

You can learn more by visiting benefits page.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $80,800 - $149,400 Annual.

These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations.

Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location.

Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process.

In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation.

Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.