Senior Artist, Technical (Rigger) - NBA 2K

Visual Concepts; California (MO); On-site; USD 74,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Visual Concepts is seeking an expert character rigging artist (temporary) to join the NBA Tech Art team in Novato, CA. You will work closely with art and engineering to create and optimize character rigs for games.

Responsibilities include updating rigs, building node networks, implementing blendshapes, and automating tasks via Python. Collaboration across departments and strong problem solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Expertise in Autodesk Maya and character rigging for games.
• Strong understanding of human anatomy and deformation.
• Scripting in Python/PyMel to automate tasks.

Responsibilities

• Update character rigs to improve deformation and realism.
• Create node networks to power body and face rigs.
• Implement blendshapes and corrective shapes into rigs.
• Create skinweight and blendweight maps for clean deformation.
• Write Python code to automate tasks and improve workflow.
• Diagnose and resolve rigging errors across tools and pipelines.
• Collaborate with artists, engineers and other technical staff.
• Contribute to documentation and pipeline improvements.

Skills

Maya

Anatomy & deformation

Python scripting

FACS rigs

Joint placement

Game rigs

Topology & edge-flow

Problem solving

Tools

NgSkinTools

Qt UI

Perforce

Maya Python API

Job description

At Visual Concepts, we believe great games are made by diverse and empowered teams with a shared passion for play. As one of the world’s top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to critical acclaim and commercial success. Our teams are independent and entrepreneurial. Our studios in Novato, Irvine, Budapest, Shanghai, Austin, Boise, Seoul, and Parksville, Canada are committed to artistry and technical innovation, offering top candidates the opportunity to learn and grow with some of the smartest and most creative minds in the industry.

The Team

The NBA Tech Art team is a diverse group of dedicated Technical Artists that perform a wide variety of tasks. We write and maintain tools for the art department, rig the characters, props, and clothing, and do a lot of problem solving.

What We Need

The Novato team is looking for an expert character rigging artist (temporary) familiar with body and face rigging to work closely with the art team. This role reports to the Lead Technical Artist.

What You Will Do

• Update our character rigs to improve deformation and more accurately simulate human anatomy
• Create math node networks to make new connections for our body and face rigs
• Implement blendshapes and corrective shapes into our rigs with the support of the character team
• Create clean skinweight and blendweight maps
• Write Python code to automate tasks, create procedural setups, and improve workflow efficiency
• Diagnose, debug, and resolve character rigging related errors across tools and the game
• Collaborate with a team of other technical artists to support art teams directly
• Work closely with engineers and collaborate with multiple art departments to address feedback notes and make art asset requests
• Contribute to documentation, workflows, and pipeline improvements that scale across the team

Who Will Be A Great Fit

• Strong expertise in Autodesk Maya
• Strong understanding of human anatomy and deformation
• Working knowledge of Scripting in Python/PyMel
• Familiar with Facial Action Coding System (FACS) based rigs
• Familiar with joint placement and designing skeleton setups
• Experience in creating character rigs that are optimized for games
• Knowledge of good topology and proper edge-flow to create natural deformation
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Love for video games (not just ours!)

Nice To Have

• Working with NgSkinTools for weight painting
• Familiar creating UIs with Qt
• Experience with version control (Perforce)
• Experience creating jiggle joints or other dynamic simulation setups
• Programming using Maya Python API

US (All States except for WA)

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $54 - $75 per hour. The pay range for this position in New York at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. The pay range for this position in New Jersey at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. The pay range for this position in Maryland at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. The pay range for this position in Colorado at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

US (Washington State)

The pay range for this position in Washington at the start of employment is expected to be between $54 - $75 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Canada

The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD - $47 - $67 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

To learn more about Visual Concepts and our studio locations, check out our website at www.vcentertainment.com