Lead Animator – Tech

Lead Animator – Tech

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in feature film animation or related production environments
• Strong technical proficiency with Maya
• Demonstrated strong ability to troubleshoot creative and technical problems effectively
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly present ideas and feedback
• Strong drive for optimization and finding easy to understand and clean workflows
• Demonstrated experience balancing creative ambitions with production constraints
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to inspire and support teams in achieving their best work
• Familiarity with Python or MEL is an asset

Responsibilities

• Work closely with HOCA, Supervising Animators, Asset CG Supervisor and VFX Supervisor to create manageable workflows and technical solutions for unique show related needs
• Troubleshoot workflow or presentation related technical issues, providing guidance and support to the team
• Facilitate communication and problem-solving across departments to address dependencies and challenges
• Work closely with Pipeline and Rigging, guide their work, resolving technical problems with scalability and animators in mind
• Collaborate with Dev, HOD and Anim TD’s to improve the production pipeline, tools, and methodologies
• Manage show specific documentation, the shelf and picker needs
• Participate in meetings with leadership to align on technical and creative goals
• Drive efficiency in achieving creative objectives
• Support studio-wide initiatives and contribute to the unification of pipeline methodologies
• Create an inclusive and collaborative work environment, encouraging open communication and addressing any challenges
• Be a liaison and representative for animation, providing guidance, feedback, and presenting animation challenges and solutions to other departments
• Foster team morale, ensuring a positive, inspiring, and productive work atmosphere
• Lead a team of fixers to handle technical tasks, freeing animators to focus on the creative aspects of their role
• Provide regular updates to the HOCA and Production Management on progress and challenges
• Communicate progress and challenges to HOD/Dev and provide show context when needed
• Actively participate in support chats, spotlights, and department meetings, ensuring a broad understanding of the needed workflows and tools in the animation team
• Collaborate with other departments to address creative and technical dependencies
• Work closely with the Supervising Animators on best practices and proactively help them solve sequence or asset related issues

Preferred Qualifications

• Some general knowledge of SPI Pipeline is a plus not a requirement
• Experience developing or improving animation pipelines is an asset
• Familiarity with Python or MEL is an asset