Rigging Supervisor, CG (Feature)

WildBrain Studios; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 107,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP matching

Multi‑tiered benefits

Mental health resources

Regular team events

Job summary

WildBrain Studios seeks a Rigging Supervisor, CG (Feature) to lead the rigging team, delivering production‑ready rigs that meet creative and performance goals. You’ll liaise with production, the Rigging HOD, and other departments to align priorities and schedules while advancing in‑house rigging tech.

Ideal candidates bring leadership with feature experience, strong Maya and Python skills, and a deep understanding of anatomy and animation workflows.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in Rigging Leadership on a feature production.
• Experience building high‑quality, feature‑level facial rigs and deformation systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Maya, including a strong understanding of parallel evaluation and rig performance.
• Advanced knowledge of Python and object‑oriented programming.
• Strong understanding of anatomy and articulation.
• Strong understanding of animation workflows and production needs.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in character rigging for animation.
• Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Openness to feedback, direction, and evolving production needs.
• Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts across disciplines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the rigging team’s day‑to‑day work, providing creative and technical direction through regular reviews, feedback, and deliverable approvals.
• Serve as the primary liaison between production, the Rigging HOD, and the rigging team to communicate priorities, risks, schedules, and milestone updates.
• Review scripts, animatics, and model topology to identify rigging needs, production requirements, and performance considerations.
• Rig, troubleshoot, maintain, and improve CG assets to ensure stable, production‑ready rigs that meet animation performance requirements.
• Research, recommend, and develop rigging techniques, modules, and workflows that improve production efficiency and expand in‑house tool capabilities.
• Collaborate with animation, modeling, shading, and production teams to support performance and delivery requirements.
• Partner with production to assign tasks and provide bid times for required rigs based on script, animatic, and production breakdowns.
• Train artists on rigging workflows, tools, and techniques.
• Represent the rigging team professionally and constructively in all project interactions.
• Participate in processes such as hiring, casting, evaluating and coaching.

Skills

Rigging leadership

Facial rigs

Maya

Python

Anatomy

Animation workflows

Character rigging

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Communication

Collaboration

Crowd rigs

PySide/Qt

C++ plug-ins for Maya

Pipeline APIs

nHair

Tools

Maya

Python

Job description

Job details

Job title: Rigging Supervisor, CG (Feature)

Overview

WildBrain is looking for a Rigging Supervisor, CG (Feature) to join our team! Reporting to the Producer and Rigging HOD, the Rigging Supervisor oversees the rigging team to deliver high-quality, production-ready rigs that meet creative and performance requirements, while collaborating across departments and staying current with evolving rigging technologies.

Little Santa is a new CG‑animated feature for Apple Original Films, based on the beloved children's book by Jon Agee. This musical comedy adventure follows young Santa Claus on an Oz‑like trek through the North Pole, meeting and inspiring the off‑beat friends who will create Christmas, and remind the world to believe. The film is directed by Academy and Annie Award‑winner Peter Baynton, written by Martin Hynes, produced by Julia Pistor, and features songs by Bret McKenzie.

Find a job that lets your imagination run wild! WildBrain Studios produces fan‑favorite animation and award‑winning content that kids and families love in every corner of the globe. We love what we do and it shows in the quality content we produce! Our artist‑centric culture means we invest in our people, we provide training and growth opportunities, a healthy work‑life balance, and fun activities throughout the year to meet, mingle and get creative with your team. If you like what you are reading so far, well buckle up, we’re just getting started!

Responsibilities & Qualifications

What You’ll Do

• Oversee the rigging team’s day‑to‑day work, providing creative and technical direction through regular reviews, feedback, and deliverable approvals
• Serve as the primary liaison between production, the Rigging HOD, and the rigging team to communicate priorities, risks, schedules, and milestone updates
• Review scripts, animatics, and model topology to identify rigging needs, production requirements, and performance considerations
• Rig, troubleshoot, maintain, and improve CG assets to ensure stable, production‑ready rigs that meet animation performance requirements
• Research, recommend, and develop rigging techniques, modules, and workflows that improve production efficiency and expand in‑house tool capabilities
• Collaborate with animation, modeling, shading, and production teams to support performance and delivery requirements
• Partner with production to assign tasks and provide bid times for required rigs based on script, animatic, and production breakdowns
• Train artists on rigging workflows, tools, and techniques
• Represent the rigging team professionally and constructively in all project interactions
• Participate in processes such as hiring, casting, evaluating and coaching

What You’ll Bring

• 2+ years of experience as within Rigging Leadership on a feature production
• Experience building high‑quality, feature‑level facial rigs and deformation systems
• Advanced proficiency in Maya, including a strong understanding of parallel evaluation and rig performance
• Advanced knowledge of Python and object‑oriented programming
• Strong understanding of anatomy and articulation
• Strong understanding of animation workflows and production needs
• Demonstrated technical expertise in character rigging for animation
• Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving skills
• Openness to feedback, direction, and evolving production needs
• Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts across disciplines
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple departments

Nice To Have

• Experience working with crowd rigs
• Knowledge of PySide/Qt
• Experience developing and debugging C++ plug‑ins for Maya
• Experience working with pipeline APIs
• Knowledge of nHair or other simulation systems.

This is a Union position and the terms and conditions of employment are covered by a collective agreement.

Pay Range

$2,345-$3,500, CAD per week based on a 40‑hour work week.

Candidates are paid within the range posted, but their exact pay will vary based on the level, responsibilities and expectations of the role. We also take into consideration the experience and skills that individual brings, with consideration of our internal equity.

We make sure to take care of all our hard‑working Wild Brains by offering a comprehensive benefits package and a workplace culture that values our employees’ wellbeing. Our staff enjoy RRSP matching, multi‑tiered benefits so you can pick the coverage that’s best for you, free mental health resources, and additional perks like regular events to connect our teams virtually, and in‑person.

Learn more about our benefits here and IATSE Local 938 site.

In short – life is good on the Wild side!

Visit wildbrain.com to learn more!

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WildBrain Studio provides an atmosphere free from barriers to promote inclusion, equity and diversity. We demonstrate our commitment to this by providing a supportive work environment and a culture that welcomes and encourages equal opportunities for all employees. WildBrain Studio also accommodates people with disabilities throughout the selection process. Should you require accommodation, please let us know your requirements when contacted.

Job location

Job location

Applicant criteria

Applicant criteria

Level of experience

Supervisor/Manager