Unreal 5 Technical Animator / Animation Engineer - UFC-stylefighting game

Location

Hybrid / Remote – Montreal, QC Preferred

Employment Type

Full-Time
Reports To: CTO

Role Overview

We’re seeking a seasoned Unreal Animation Engineer to develop and optimize the runtime animation systems for a next-generation UFC-style fighting game built in Unreal Engine 5. You’ll own the integration of motion-capture data, procedural blending, and next-gen animation technology (Motion Matching, Control Rig, and AI-driven blending).

You’ll work closely with combat design, animation, and physics teams to deliver lifelike, responsive, and high-impact character motion that defines the moment-to-moment feel of the fight.

Core Responsibilities

Animation Systems Development

• Design, implement, and maintain character animation frameworks for combat, movement, and transitions.
• Build and optimize Animation Blueprints, Control Rigs, and custom AnimGraph nodes.
• Implement AI-driven animation blending (Motion Matching, PFNN, Neural State Machine).
• Collaborate with animators to integrate mocap data into procedural runtime systems.
• Develop contact-aware IK (hands, feet, knees, grapples) with Chaos Physics integration.
• Extend Unreal’s Pose Search and Motion Warping systems for hit reactions and combo continuity.
• Prototype and refine animation-driven combat feel, ensuring responsiveness and weight.
• Work with the physics and gameplay engineers to synchronize animation with hitboxes, collisions, and camera events.

Pipeline & Optimization

• Establish efficient mocap → runtime pipelines (retargeting, compression, tagging).
• Integrate tools for animation debugging (pose visualization, contact tracing, profiling).
• Profile and optimize animation graphs to meet 60 FPS / 4K console targets.
• Maintain deterministic playback across networked (rollback) fights.

Collaboration & Support

• Partner with Gameplay Engineering to expose animation parameters to combat logic.
• Support Design in defining move lists, transitions, and animation data structures.
• Liaise with Art & Animation leads to ensure creative fidelity and technical feasibility.
• Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and mentoring of junior engineers.

Required Qualifications

• 8 + years professional experience as an Animation, Gameplay, or Technical Engineer in Unreal Engine (UE4 / UE5). Deep knowledge of Unreal Animation Framework, C++, Blueprint, and Control Rig.
• Strong understanding of state machines, blend spaces, IK solvers, and procedural animation.
• Experience with motion-capture data cleanup, retargeting, and runtime blending.
• Proven track record in real-time character animation for action, sports, or fighting titles.
• Comfort profiling animation performance using Unreal Insights, PIX, or RenderDoc.
• Strong math foundation (linear algebra, quaternions, kinematics).

Preferred / Bonus Skills

• Experience with animation development on combat fighting games.
• Familiarity with AI-driven animation (Motion Matching, PFNN, Neural State Machines).
• Experience using ONNX Runtime or UE Neural Network Inference Plugin.
• Exposure to physics-driven or ragdoll blending systems (Chaos Physics).
• Experience with MetaHuman rigs or custom deformation systems.
• Proficiency in Python / C# tool scripting for animation pipelines.
• Shipped title experience on PS5 / Xbox Series X / PC.

Success Indicators (First 6-12 Months)

• Combat animation system supports fluid transitions between all major move types.
• AI-driven blending integrated with the gameplay combat loop.
• Foot/hand IK and contact fidelity validated across multiple fighters.
• Performance within 1 ms per-character animation budget on consoles.
• Internal animation toolset and debug visualizers adopted by the team.