Rigging Artist
We are seeking a skilled Rigging Artist to develop and maintain high-quality character and prop rigs for animation. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of anatomy, mechanics, and animation principles, as well as technical expertise in rigging tools and pipelines. You will collaborate closely with modelers, animators, and technical artists to ensure rigs perform efficiently and meet production needs.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Create and maintain character, creature, and prop rigs that are animator-friendly and production-ready.
-
Work closely with modeling and animation teams to ensure clean deformations and efficient control systems.
-
Develop and implement custom rigging tools or scripts to streamline workflows (preferably in Python or MEL).
-
Troubleshoot and resolve rig-related technical issues during production.
-
Optimize rigs for performance and compatibility across different software or game engines.
-
Collaborate with the pipeline and technical teams to ensure rigs integrate seamlessly within the production environment.
-
Document rigging workflows and provide technical support to the animation team.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
-
Proficiency in Maya (primary tool) — knowledge of Blender, Houdini, or Unreal Engine rigging is a plus.
-
Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, mechanics, and deformation.
-
Experience with Python, MEL, or equivalent scripting languages.
-
Familiarity with FK/IK systems, constraints, facial rigging, and blendshapes.
-
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
-
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment under tight deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications:
-
Experience in game or film production pipelines.
-
Understanding of weight painting, skinning, and simulation setups.
-
Knowledge of procedural rigging tools or plugin development.
-
Experience with Unreal Engine Control Rig or similar real-time systems.