Job Description

Location

: Hybrid / Remote - Montreal, QC Preferred

Employment

Type: Full-Time

Reports

To

: CTO

Role Overview

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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

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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.


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Pipeline & Optimization

Establish efficient mocapruntime 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.
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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

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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

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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.