Animation Programmer

At Avalanche Studios Group, we are looking for a Gameplay Animation Programmer to join our team to work on our upcoming AAA title Contraband - a co-op smuggler’s paradise game set in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan. Contraband is a brand-new IP published by Xbox Game Studios.
We are making a high-fidelity dynamic action game where game feel and real-time gameplay is a top priority. If you are interested in all things gameplay-related and have a keen eye for animation fidelity, then this is the role for you! In this role, you will directly impact the moment-to-moment gameplay. Your work will have you implementing gameplay mechanics and collaborating with animators to tune the animations to go along with them. Additionally, you will be part of organising and developing our project’s animation systems and state machines. Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your tasks are varied and engaging? Do you like collaborating with different crafts and being the everyday problem solver? If this sounds interesting to you then we would love to hear from you!
As a Gameplay (Animation) Programmer, you will work as a gameplay programmer focusing on animation. Collaborate with designers, animators, and programmers to bring innovative animation features to life, implement fun creative character logic and mechanics, and optimize performance for an enhanced player experience. The role also includes architecting the interfaces between the animation system and other game systems such as AI, gameplay or sound. Use and extend existing systems when possible, and build new tools and features when needed. 
What you'll do

• Work closely with animators, designers and programmers to understand their game animation needs, constraints, and intentions to design adapted solutions to realize the game design and vision.
• Create and iterate on gameplay and animation features for player or AI-driven characters.
• Combine the technical and artistic sides of game design and program the animation system that will make for the best visual representation.
• Analyze existing animation features in our engine, design, develop, and maintain the animation system to properly understand technological limits and what the engine can produce.
• Work in a development environment with shared code and contribute with continuous improvements to our shared tech.
• Depending on the project needs, support development in related areas such as gameplay systems, camera, and AI programming.

Who you are

• You have a good understanding of what makes games fun, have a passion for creating games, and a keen eye for animation. 
• You write readable and robust code in C++, and have solid experience in writing performant code.
• Solid knowledge of animation techniques such as state machines, physics ragdolls, masking, layering, inverse kinematics (IK), compression, facial animation, blending, and parameterisation. 
• Strong 3D math skills.
• Solid experience in the animation field to understand programming tools and how to improve them.
• A good eye for detail and problem-solving to find even the smallest flaws in the system and optimize them.
• You can interact and collaborate outside of your project and team.
• You use prescribed guidelines to analyze and resolve problems, and you work receiving a moderate level of guidance and direction. Familiarity with game physics, and motion generation/synthesis is a bonus. 

Note: Research shows under-represented groups in the industry (especially women) might not apply to a job if they don’t check off every requirement. At Avalanche, we’re more about your drive to learn and interest in tackling challenges than what’s on your resume! So don’t stress if you don’t tick every box— shoot us your application anyway! Diverse opinions and different experiences are what make our teams so great, not itemized lists of qualifications.
The Stockholm locationOur Stockholm office is situated in Södermalm, the beating heart of the city’s game industry. It’s a physical representation of our games – the lush vegetation of Just Cause and theHunter: Call of the Wild meets corroded metal straight out of Mad Max. It has everything you need to make it your creative base camp.
Our valuesAt Avalanche Studios Group, we create worlds beyond limits. But that’s not exclusive to our games, so we’re committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workplace. All Avalanchers have a shared responsibility to create an open work environment where everyone is treated equally and respectfully. Being part of our world is not contingent on your heritage, your gender, or sexual orientation. It’s all about your passion and creativity.
How to applyTo apply for this position, please register below and provide your CV in English. We review applications continuously. All further studio-related information is provided under a non-disclosure agreement.
At Avalanche Studios Group we're always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our passionate team, but please not that relocation assistance is not available for this role.