Rigging TD — Independent Contractor (B.C., Canada)

Steamroller Studios, LLC; British Columbia; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Steamroller Studios, LLC seeks a Rigging Technical Director to implement animation control rigging systems for complex characters and props. You will collaborate with the Lead Rigger, oversee rigs across characters, vehicles, and props, and help build tools to optimize workflows within the animation pipeline.

You’ll be hands-on across modeling tasks and ensure rigs meet show requirements while maintaining high-quality output under deadlines, contributing to the broader team goals.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in character rigging and animation techniques/technologies.
• Strong understanding of human anatomy, structure, dynamics, and character motion.
• Mastery of Maya and/or 3ds Max.
• Games industry experience as a character animator/rigger.
• Experience with game engine rigging and animation systems (Unity, Unreal, or similar).
• Solid all-around knowledge of 3D software: scripting, modeling, animation, and rendering.
• Experience building custom support structures for characters.
• Comfort working across multiple game engines, ideally Unity and Unreal.
• Strong time and project management skills.
• Fluent English communication.

Responsibilities

• Implement animation control rigging systems for complex characters and props using Maya
• Partner with the Lead Rigger to ensure all rigs meet show requirements
• Oversee character, vehicle, and prop rigging through the animation pipeline
• Develop tools and plug-ins to optimize animation and rigging workflows
• Take on facial target modeling and other organic/non-organic modeling tasks as needed
• Ensure CG characters follow current character setup procedures
• Troubleshoot and resolve character-rigging issues for artists across disciplines
• Maintain a consistent, high-quality level of output against deadlines
• Contribute to broader team and department goals as needed

Skills

Rigging

Character animation

Anatomy knowledge

Maya

3ds Max

Unity

Unreal

Time management

English communication

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Unity

Unreal

Job description

About Steamroller Animation It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you. Steamroller Studios is looking for a Rigging TD to join our animation pipeline on a contract basis. This is a remote, independent contractor engagement open to candidates based in British Columbia, Canada.

About the Role

As Rigging TD, you’ll implement animation control rigging systems for complex characters and props, working closely with our Lead Rigger to make sure every rig meets the show’s requirements. You’ll be hands‑on across characters, vehicles, and props as they move through the animation pipeline, and you’ll help build the tools that make our riggers' and animators' lives easier.

What You’ll Do

• Implement animation control rigging systems for complex characters and props using Maya
• Partner with the Lead Rigger to ensure all rigs meet show requirements
• Oversee character, vehicle, and prop rigging through the animation pipeline
• Develop tools and plug-ins to optimize animation and rigging workflows
• Take on facial target modeling and other organic/non-organic modeling tasks as needed
• Ensure CG characters follow current character setup procedures
• Troubleshoot and resolve character-rigging issues for artists across disciplines
• Maintain a consistent, high-quality level of output against deadlines
• Contribute to broader team and department goals as needed

What You Bring

• 3+ years of experience in character rigging and animation techniques/technologies
• Strong understanding of human anatomy, structure, dynamics, and character motion
• Mastery of Maya and/or 3ds Max
• Games industry experience as a character animator/rigger
• Experience with game engine rigging and animation systems (Unity, Unreal, or similar)
• Solid all‑around knowledge of 3D software: scripting, modeling, animation, and rendering
• Experience building custom support structures for characters
• Comfort working across multiple game engines, ideally Unity and Unreal
• Strong time and project management skills
• Fluent English communication

Engagement Details

• Type: Independent contractor engagement (project/contract basis)
• Location: Remote — must be based in British Columbia, Canada
• Reporting to: Rigger Supervisor
• Compensation, contract length, and start date to be discussed with qualified candidates.