Lead Character Tools Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Design, develop, implement, and sustain technical tools and methodologies for character creation, rigging, animation, data management, art production, and game engine integration.

• Work collaboratively with internal team members, studio stakeholders, engineering teams, research engineers, and Central Technology groups.

• Establish and manage project-specific environments and explore automation opportunities.

• Acquire knowledge and provide support for diverse client working environments, assets, and tools.

• Develop, maintain, and customize internal tools and workflows.

• Create and uphold technical documentation.

• Enhance character development workflows and incorporate emerging AI and ML technologies.

• Attend and engage in PlayStation internal demonstrations and conferences; travel as necessary.

• Foster cohesion and standardization across PSS initiatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience as a technical artist or engineer in developing and deploying tools for character creation, rigging, simulation, or animation pipelines within a runtime environment.

• Over 10 years of experience in a game development studio or prior experience creating artist-facing tools on a technical art or engineering team in a production setting.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Graphic Art, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Extensive experience with game editors and a strong understanding of workflow technical specifications from DCC to complex real-time environments.

• Proficiency in writing and debugging C++.

• In-depth knowledge of Maya and a general understanding of Maya rigging.

• Experience in developing or maintaining project pipeline tools and system environments.

• Strong troubleshooting skills and a creative approach to problem-solving.

• Experience utilizing Agentic AI models.

• Solid comprehension of deformation and mesh processing.

• Familiarity with industry trends in character rigging, gameplay animation, cinematic animation, deformation, and simulation usage in character animation pipelines.

• Strong Python programming abilities and experience with PyQt/PySide.

• Proficiency with MotionBuilder, Maya, and Houdini.

• Experience with HLSL and MaterialX.

• Familiarity with other programming languages, particularly C++.

• Experience with Perforce, Git, and Confluence.

• Exposure to photogrammetry and motion capture/performance capture.

• Willingness to attend and participate in PlayStation internal demonstrations and conferences; travel required.

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment and engage in self-directed experimentation and research.

• Background check required at the offer stage for new employees.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Matching 401(k)

• Paid time off

• Wellness program

• Employee discounts for Sony products

• May be eligible for a bonus package