Rigging Lead - Permanent

Bodylinegym; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Insurance

EAP

RRSP with employer contribution

Discounts on local services

Job summary

Rodeo FX seeks a 3D Rigging Lead to design and supervise advanced rigs for characters, creatures, vehicles, and objects. You will guide a team of rigging artists, ensuring consistency and high technical quality while remaining a hands-on expert in rig development.

You will collaborate with supervision, production, and partner departments to align with the project vision, while delivering robust tools and pipelines for efficient production.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as Rigging Lead in the VFX industry.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead rigging dailies and provide constructive feedback to the team.
• Supervise project rigging artists and plan workload with production.
• Ensure rigs support fluid, expressive, and credible animation.
• Create, maintain, and optimize rigs and tools for the production pipeline.
• Document tools and setups for continuity and training.
• Collaborate with CG/animation supervision to uphold artistic quality.
• Integrate rigs into the production chain and troubleshoot issues.
• Train artists on department tools, standards, and workflows.

Skills

Rigging leadership

Maya proficiency

Python scripting

Anatomy knowledge

Blend shapes

C++ for Maya

PySide UI

Facial rigs

Rigging frameworks

Production tools

Tools

Maya

Flow

PySide

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

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;
• 5 paid sick/personal days;
• 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.