Animator

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

EA Create is currently looking for an experienced motion capture facial animator to join our animation team to partner with EA Sports and Battlefield. EA Create is known to partner with AAA studios such as BioWare, Respawn, and Maxis, and assist on the critically acclaimed Madden and FIFA franchises. This is your opportunity to be part of a collaborative group with team members all over the world and have your work shown to millions of viewers, players, peers, and industry professionals.
You would report to a director within the Animation team and be responsible for reviewing outsourcing work, setting the quality benchmarks on motion capture retargets, and creating high-quality performances in all aspects of your work. You know how to reveal attitude, emotions, and mood through a character's movement and behavior, and create memorable characters which will appeal to players. It's essential to have knowledge of the timing and appearance of human and animal movement as well as facial expressions. In the end, the look of a game is one of the most significant factors contributing to the overall success of the game.

Role Requirements:
● Degree in Fine Arts, Computer Animation, or a related field preferred.
● Minimum of 7 years of professional animation experience in a production environment.
● Expert proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder.
● Expert proficiency in FACS based facial rigs.
● Experience supervising outsourcing teams
● Experience with motion-capture workflows, including retargeting, scene assembly, and shot creation for production.
● Advanced understanding of animation principles, body mechanics, character acting, and facial performance.
● Strong artistic judgment and the ability to create realistic, believable human performances.
● Passion for animation and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
● Ability to work on-site, with a hybrid option available.

Role Expectations:
● Review outsourcing teams’ work by providing clear direction and concise, easy-to-follow animation notes
● Communicate with the franchise animation directors and leads on quality and delivery expectations.
● Create high-quality animation using motion-capture data.
● Animate convincing weight, personality, mood, and emotion through realistic or stylized character performances.
● Apply classical animation principles and strong knowledge of body mechanics, character acting, and facial animation.
● Collaborate with the Animation Director and Leads to ensure work meets creative, technical, narrative, and gameplay objectives.
● Record reference video based on direction and feedback from the Animation Director and Leads
● Interpret feedback, complete revisions, and deliver work at the expected quality within assigned timelines.
● Learn and use proprietary animation runtime and integration tools.
● Support Animation Directors by reviewing animation team work and documenting clear, actionable animation notes in Shotgun for team members.
● Communicate and collaborate effectively with directors, animators, production staff, and technical teams.
● Organize files, work, and notes so they are clear and accessible to other team members.
● Actively participate in team meetings, reviews, and production discussions, with prompt and reliable attendance.
● Mentor junior team members and provide constructive feedback and guidance.
● Body retargeting experience would be an added bonus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$104,500 - $142,800 CAD

In Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, and extended health/dental/vision coverage and basic life insurance.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.