Job Summary: Facial Animator

Company Overview: Join the Frontier of Innovation

Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is not your average game studio. We are a crowd-funded powerhouse, driven by a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who share our vision of creating the most ambitious space simulation in history. Founded in 2012 by legendary developer Chris Roberts, CIG has grown into one of the world’s largest independent studios, specifically focused on delivering next-generation AAA titles that push the absolute boundaries of what is possible in real-time rendering and immersion.

At CIG, we pride ourselves on thinking outside the box. We don’t just follow industry standards; we create them. By developing ground-breaking technology and fostering an environment of extreme creativity, we are raising the bar for the gaming industry and building a universe as vast and varied as the people who inhabit it.

About the Role: Facial Animator

As a Facial Animator at Cloud Imperium Games, you will join an elite team of specialists dedicated to breathing life into the facial and dialogue performances of every character in our universe. Whether it’s a hero character in a cinematic sequence or an NPC in the persistent universe—if it has a face, you are the one they call.

You will be responsible for crafting industry-leading, photorealistic facial animation derived from high-quality head-mounted camera (HMC) footage of top-tier Hollywood talent. This role blends the precision of Performance Capture (P-Cap) technology with the artistry of traditional hand-key animation, ensuring that every smirk, scowl, and micro-expression translates perfectly into the game engine.

• Tracking & Retargeting: Utilize Faceware’s Mark IV hardware and software suite to create stunning 1-to-1 facial animations that capture the soul of the actor’s performance.
• On-Set Collaboration: Represent the Facial Animation department during performance capture shoots at our in-house motion capture stage. You will work face-to-face with actors and collaborate with the Motion Capture, Audio, and Production teams to ensure high-quality data acquisition.
• Data Cleanup: Refine and polish captured data to meet the rigorous “CIG Quality” standards for AAA cinematics and in-game interactions.
• Hand-Key Animation: Beyond mocap, you will use traditional hand-key techniques to create realistic facial movements where raw data may be unavailable or requires artistic exaggeration.
• Engine Integration: Work closely with the Animation Director, Facial Animation Lead, and Technical Animators to implement and test facial assets within our proprietary game engine (Star Engine).
• Lip-Sync & Dialogue: Ensure perfect phonetic alignment and emotional resonance for dialogue-heavy sequences involving branching narrative paths.
• Workflow Optimization: Bring new ideas to the table to evolve our pipeline procedures, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and visual fidelity.
• Problem Solving: Proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues or “uncanny valley” artifacts that arise during the animation process.
• Cross-Studio Collaboration: Maintain constant communication with our global studios (Frankfurt, Austin, Los Angeles) to ensure consistency across all character performances.

• Software Mastery: Advanced, professional-level knowledge of Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder. Familiarity with other industry-standard 3D software is a significant plus.
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience using Faceware (tracking and retargeting) or equivalent high-end facial capture software (e.g., Dynamixyz, Metahuman Animator).
• Anatomical Understanding: A deep knowledge of facial anatomy (FACS – Facial Action Coding System), weight, and timing to create fluid, realistic 3D character performances.
• Portfolio/Showreel: A strong demonstration of high-quality facial animation is mandatory. We want to see your ability to handle emotional nuances and complex dialogue.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to gather, analyze, and act on feedback. We thrive on constructive critique and a collective drive to be the best.
• Risk Management: The ability to identify technical and developmental risks early in the production cycle and provide innovative solutions to overcome them.
• Drive for Excellence: A willingness to challenge your own ideas and push the boundaries of “realistic” digital humans.

Cloud Imperium Games is a global company staunchly committed to cultivating a workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. We believe that the importance of diversity—authentic recognition and appreciation of our differences—is what makes our universe special. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage every employee to bring their unique selves to work. The universe is vast, and we want our team to represent all walks of life.

Why Join Us?

If you enjoy “wild growth,” groundbreaking R&D, and working alongside a team of happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you will find your home at Cloud Imperium Games. We offer the chance to work on a project of unprecedented scale where your work will define the future of interactive entertainment.

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