Senior Artist, Technical (Rigger) - NBA 2K

2K; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase program

Discretionary time off

Job summary

Visual Concepts in Novato is seeking an expert character rigger (temporary) to work with the NBA Tech Art team. You will rig characters for games, implement body and face rigs, and write Python to automate workflows. Collaboration with art and engineering teams is essential to deliver high-quality assets.

You should have strong Maya rigging skills, anatomy knowledge, and experience in game pipelines. This role is on-site in California with competitive hourly pay and a broad benefits overview.

Qualifications

• Expert in Autodesk Maya with strong rigging for body and face.
• Deep understanding of human anatomy and deformation.
• Working knowledge of Python/PyMel scripting.
• Familiar with FACS-based rigs and joint placement.
• Experience creating game-optimized character rigs.
• Good topology and edge-flow for natural deformation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and passion for games.

Responsibilities

• Update character rigs to improve deformation and anatomy accuracy.
• Create math node networks for body and face rigs.
• Implement blendshapes and corrective shapes with the art team.
• Create clean skinweight and blendweight maps.
• Write Python code to automate tasks and pipelines.
• Diagnose and resolve rigging-related errors across tools.
• Collaborate with other technical artists and art teams.
• Work with engineers and art departments to address notes.
• Contribute to documentation and pipeline improvements.

Skills

Autodesk Maya

Character rigging

Python scripting

FACS rigs

Anatomy deformation

Joint placement

Topology & edge-flow

Problem solving

Video games love

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.

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