Rigging Lead - Permanent

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Insurance

Dialogue online support

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

RRSP with employer contribution

Transit discounts

Job summary

Rodeo FX in Montreal is seeking a 3D Rigging Lead to design advanced rigs for characters, creatures, vehicles, and objects, while supervising a team of rigging artists. This hands-on expert ensures deliverables are rigorous and aligned with the project’s vision.

The role collaborates with CG and animation supervision, develops robust rigs, and contributes to tooling, pipelines, and department best practices. A full-time opportunity with strong benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Ringing Lead in the VFX industry in rigging.
• Proficiency in Maya software for production rigging.
• Proficiency in Python programming applied to rig tools or automation.
• Good knowledge of anatomy (bipeds, quadrupeds, muscles, facial expressions).
• Proficiency in blend shapes and deformation testing tools.

Responsibilities

• Support the artistic vision of the project by collaborating with CG and animation supervision.
• Propose simple, effective, and consistent rigging solutions aligned with the project's style.
• Adapt rigs to narrative intentions and the stylistic needs of animators.
• Ensure that delivered rigs allow for fluid, expressive, and credible animation.

Skills

Maya rigging

Python scripting

Anatomy knowledge

Blend Shapes

Deformation testing

Tools

C++ for Maya

PySide UI

Flow

Job description

Company Description

Repeatedly voted one of Montreal’s Top Employers and Employer of the Year for the 2022 Mercuriades Awards, Rodeo FX is a high-end creative company offering services in visual effects, advertising, animation, and experiential.

Nominated for multiple Emmy Awards for its work on the series Stranger Things season 4, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, the independent, Oscar-winning company boasts close to 800 artists crafting from studios in Montreal, Québec City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Paris.

Rodeo FX is a creative partner to the world’s best storytellers including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros. and Sony, and has collaborated on ads for YouTube, NBC and Apple. Current projects include Dune: Prophecy, SiloSeason 2and Sonic 3. Recently released projects include The Rings of Power SEason 2, Venom: The Last Dance, Taika Waitit's Time Bandits,and House of the DragonSeason 2.

Job Description

The 3D Rigging Lead designs advanced rigs for characters, creatures, vehicles, and objects, while supervising a team of rigging artists within the project. They act as a technical and artistic reference, ensure the consistency of deliverables, and support the project's vision in close collaboration with supervision, production, and partner departments. Despite their supervisory responsibilities, they remain a hands-on expert, capable of delivering rigorous, autonomous, and exemplary work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the artistic vision of the project by collaborating with CG and animation supervision.
• Propose simple, effective, and consistent rigging solutions aligned with the project's style.
• Adapt rigs to narrative intentions and the stylistic needs of animators.
• Ensure that delivered rigs allow for fluid, expressive, and credible animation.

Creative Quality

• Support the artistic vision of the project by collaborating with CG and animation supervision.
• Propose simple, effective, and consistent rigging solutions aligned with the project's style.
• Adapt rigs to narrative intentions and the stylistic needs of animators.
• Ensure that delivered rigs allow for fluid, expressive, and credible animation.

Technical Quality

• Create and maintain robust, scripted, and optimized rigs for the pipeline.
• Supervise the technical integration of rigs into the production chain.
• Quickly debug deformation or interaction issues.
• Document complex tools or setups to ensure continuity.

Leadership & Communications

• Supervise project rigging artists by providing benevolent and structured support.
• Lead rigging dailies, offer constructive feedback, and value everyone's contributions.
• Work in conjunction with production to plan, track, and adjust workload.
• Quickly communicate technical or human issues to supervision and the department.

Department Support

• Train artists on department tools, standards, and workflows.
• Produce clear references (templates, videos, guides) to support the team.
• Participate in updating internal practices and disseminating learnings.
• Identify training needs and contribute to their organization with the Department Head.

Optimization

• Develop or adapt Python/PySide tools to automate repetitive tasks.
• Optimize rigs and scripts to ensure fluidity and efficiency in the pipeline.
• Monitor rig performance in production and propose improvements.
• Participate in the evolution of rigging templates and the integration of technological

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Ringing Lead in the VFX industry in rigging.
• Proficiency in Maya software for production rigging.
• Proficiency in Python programming applied to rig tools or automation.
• Good knowledge of anatomy (bipeds, quadrupeds, muscles, facial expressions).
• Proficiency in blend shapes and deformation testing tools.
• Ability to manage priorities, work autonomously, and deliver on time.
• Asset: Proficiency or knowledge of C++ for creating nodes and/or deformers in Maya.
• Asset: Knowledge of PySide for UI creation.
• Asset: Knowledge of Flow or other production management tools.
• Asset: Experience with advanced facial solutions (e.g., FACS, stylized face rigs, facial capture).
• Asset: Development or contribution to internal rigging frameworks.

Additional Information

• Full-time, Permanent Contract;
• 2 additional statutory holidays in the winter holidays;
• Group Insurance, access to Dialogue online support and to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
• RRSP with employer contribution;
• Discounts on public transports, several spas, sports classes, art center, cafes, furniture and several other local businesses.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Rodeo FX, diversity is a core value. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where different perspectives are embraced. Every team member brings unique insight that strengthens our creativity, challenges our thinking, and helps us deliver better work.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Rodeo FX may use AI-based tools to support certain steps of the recruitment process, such as interview transcription or preliminary application analysis. These tools may be operated by third-party providers, and data may be processed outside Quebec. These tools never replace human decision-making: all final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers. To learn more about how we protect your personal information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy.