Cloud Chamber hiring Senior Technical Animator, Canada

Cloud Chamber, a premier studio under the 2K (Take-Two Interactive) umbrella, is looking for a “technical wizard” to join our world-class development team in Montréal, Quebec. As we craft the next entry in the iconic BioShock series, we need a Senior Technical Animator who can bridge the gap between artistic intent and systemic execution.

This role is centered on shaping advanced animation systems and perfecting runtime character performance. You will be a key contributor to building scalable technical solutions and animation workflows that support deeply immersive gameplay. We are looking for a mentor and a problem-solver who thrives on understanding the “why” behind the “how,” ensuring that the richly imagined worlds we create feel alive, responsive, and believable.

Job Overview: Senior Technical Animator

Compensation & Strategic Benefits

Cloud Chamber provides a “Total Rewards” package designed to attract and retain the industry’s best talent in the competitive Montréal gaming hub.

Financial Rewards

• Annual Salary Range: For a Senior-level Technical Animator in Montréal, the base pay typically scales with experience and technical mastery.

• Incentive Programs: Eligibility for annual performance-based bonuses and 2K/Take-Two incentive structures.

Comprehensive Wellness & Perks

• Health & Family: Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement: RRSP matching programs to support long-term financial health.

• Time Off: Generous vacation allowance, paid holidays, and sick leave to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

• Studio Culture: A culture that “learns through play,” encouraging autonomy, ownership, and constant professional growth.

Role Responsibilities: Engineering Immersion

As a Senior Technical Animator, you are the architect of character believability. Your work ensures that every movement feels seamless and grounded within the game world.

1. System Architecture & Implementation

• Runtime Performance: Author and maintain complex Animation Blueprints, Blend Trees, State Machines, and Sequencer assets within the game engine.

• Procedural Innovation: Develop and maintain procedural runtime solutions, including IK (Inverse Kinematics), Retargeting, Ragdoll physics, and Cloth simulation.

• Locomotion Excellence: Tune and troubleshoot Motion Matching systems to ensure fluid, high-fidelity character movement that responds dynamically to player input.

2. Workflow & Optimization

• Pipeline Streamlining: Use Python or MEL to script tools that automate repetitive tasks and reduce the manual workload for the animation team.

• Performance Budgeting: Ensure all animation assets and systems are highly optimized for runtime performance without sacrificing visual quality.

• Troubleshooting: Act as the primary point of contact for resolving complex animation issues in both Maya and the game engine.

3. Mentorship & Documentation

• Knowledge Sharing: Take pride in mentoring junior and mid-level animators on technical workflows, tool usage, and industry best practices.

• Standardization: Create high-quality written or video documentation to aid in information sharing across the studio.

• Active Leadership: Take an active role in the structure and organization of animation systems within the editor to maintain a clean and efficient project hierarchy.

Detailed Requirements & Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate who balances a “proactive mindset” with deep technical proficiency.

Technical Prerequisites

• AAA Track Record: Previous experience in professional game development, with at least one shipped AAA title in a technical animation or character TD capacity.

• Graph Mastery: Thorough knowledge of implementation and maintenance for Animation Graphs and State Machines.

• Systemic Understanding: Deep knowledge of procedural solutions like Motion Matching, Distance Matching, and real-time physics integration.

• Scripting Prowess: Proficient in Python or MEL to aid in pipeline automation and tool development.

• Artistic Sensibility: An understanding of fundamental animation principles (timing, weight, anticipation) and how to apply them to systemic, blended motions.

The “Cloud Chamber” Persona

• The Force Multiplier: You are a reliable, positive influence who actively seeks opportunities to integrate work across disciplines (Art, Design, Audio, and Code).

• The Communicator: Ability to articulate complex technical ideas clearly to diverse audiences and deliver constructive feedback with empathy.

• The Self-Starter: You take strong ownership of your tasks and can navigate ambiguity or fast-changing priorities with a critical eye for detail.

• The Lifelong Learner: Highly open to feedback and direction, with a genuine desire to learn new skills and produce quick, quality revisions.

Who We Are: The Cloud Chamber Mission

At Cloud Chamber, we strive to make BioShock games that move people—evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with players long after the credits roll. We believe that great games are born from great collaborations.

Our studio culture is built on:

• Open Collaboration: Working constructively across all departments to realize creative ambitions.

• High Standards: Pushing for progress and staying current on technological advancements.

• Inclusive Excellence: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability status.

Application & Submission Requirements

Ready to help us bring the next BioShock to life? Please submit the following:

1. Professional Resume: Detail your industry experience, shipped titles, and specific technical contributions.

2. Portfolio / Demo Reel: Show us your technical wizardry. We are looking for:

   • Examples of in-engine animation setups (Blueprints/State Machines).

   • Tool/Scripting showcases (Python/MEL).

   • Implementation of procedural systems (IK, Cloth, Motion Matching).

3. Work Breakdown: A brief explanation of the “how” and “why” behind the pieces in your reel.

Cloud Chamber Montréal is committed to building a supportive and respectful company culture. We look forward to seeing how you can help us push the boundaries of what is possible in interactive entertainment.