Company: Rezzil

Job Overview Company Name: Rezzil Job Title: Animator (Mid-Level) Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent Location: Jordan Street, Manchester M15 4PY, United Kingdom Salary Range: Competitive (Based on experience & UK market standards) Core Software: Autodesk Maya, Unity, and/or Unreal Engine Sector: Sports Technology, VR, and Real-Time Simulation Executive Position Summary Rezzil is looking for a technically-minded and artistically-driven Mid-Level Real-Time Animator to join our production team in Manchester. Rezzil is at the forefront of sports technology and virtual reality, and this role is critical in delivering high-quality character performances across our elite-level products. You will be responsible for the end-to-end animation lifecycle—from initial expressive keyframing and motion capture (mocap) refinement to final, high-performance implementation within Unity or Unreal Engine. In this position, you will work directly alongside our Senior Animator and cross-functional technical teams to balance strong artistry with the practical constraints of real-time sports simulations, VR, and broadcast visualizations. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who enjoys the challenge of making digital athletes move with the precision and weight required for professional-grade software. The Role & Opportunity at Rezzil As a Mid-Level Animator at Rezzil, you occupy a critical space in our production pipeline. We don’t just create visuals; we build hyper-realistic training and fan engagement tools used by the world’s biggest sports organizations. This role requires a “hands-on” approach where you take ownership of character performance from the first pose to the final engine integration. You will be tasked with balancing the artistic “appeal” of a character with the rigorous “technical constraints” of a real-time engine. Whether ensuring a footballer’s foot-locking is perfect for a 1:1 VR training drill or refining the blend trees for complex locomotion, your work directly impacts the athlete’s immersion and the data-driven quality of our products. Detailed Responsibilities 1. Animation Creation & Performance Full-Spectrum Animation: Generate high-quality character animations for diverse real-time applications, including core locomotion (running, pivoting, striking) and bespoke cinematic moments. Keyframing Excellence: Deliver strong keyframed performances that demonstrate a deep understanding of human physics, weight, and timing. Consistency & Quality: Collaborate with the Senior Animator to ensure all animations remain “on model” and consistent across various athlete rigs and features. 2. Data Refinement & Mocap Integration Mocap Cleanup: Elevate raw motion capture data to production standards by cleaning noise, refining arcs, ensuring solid contact, and adjusting spacing for better readability. Performance Enhancement: Edit and enhance performance data to ensure the movement meets the high-fidelity standards required for elite sports analysis. 3. In-Engine Implementation & Technical Collaboration Engine Integration: You will be responsible for importing, testing, and iterating on your animation content within Unity and/or Unreal Engine. Runtime Setup: Collaborate with Technical Artists and Engineers to build and maintain efficient runtime setups (state machines, blend trees, and animation blueprints). Troubleshooting: Actively solve technical hurdles, such as retargeting issues, rig/skinning glitches, and optimizing animation data for performance budgets. 4. Pipeline & Documentation Workflow Optimization: Contribute to the evolution of the Rezzil animation pipeline by identifying bottlenecks and suggesting creative improvements. Best Practices: Maintain clear documentation for workflows to ensure speed, consistency, and quality across the team. Requirements & Qualifications Essential (Must-Have) Real-Time Experience: Proven track record animating characters for real-time applications (Games, VR, Simulation, or Broadcast). Maya Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Autodesk Maya, focusing on the graph editor, constraints, export discipline, and scene hygiene. Engine Knowledge: Practical experience implementing animation within Unity or Unreal; the ability to iterate inside the engine is key. Foundational Artistry: Strong keyframing fundamentals, specifically regarding weight, timing, spacing, silhouette, and performance clarity. Mocap Skills: Confident cleaning and editing mocap/performance data to a high standard. Desirable (Nice-to-Have) Advanced Systems: Familiarity with IK/FK blending, additive layers, and procedural assists. VR Specialized Knowledge: Understanding the unique requirements of VR animation (scale, presence, and first-person readability). Technical Scripting: Exposure to Python or MEL to improve iteration speed. Shipped Titles: Experience working on shipped titles or live-service products. How You Work At Rezzil, we value a collaborative and agile mindset: Collaborative: You enjoy working across disciplines (Design, Engineering, Product) to find the best solutions. Adaptive: You can shift your approach as priorities evolve in a fast-paced tech environment. Precision-Oriented: You have a keen eye for the technical details that make an athlete’s movement look and feel authentic. Location & Benefits Located in the heart of Manchester’s creative district (M15 4PY), Rezzil offers an innovative and supportive environment: Location: Jordan Street, surrounded by Manchester’s thriving tech and creative community. Salary: A competitive salary package based on your professional background and portfolio. Growth: The chance to work at the cutting edge of sports technology with direct mentorship from industry experts. Application Instructions To apply, please provide: A Showreel: Highlighting real-time character animation and/or mocap cleanup. Resume/CV: Detailing your experience with Maya and Game Engines. Breakdown: A brief description of your specific role in each piece shown in your reel.