Lead Technical Animator (Rigging & Simulation Specialist)

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,313,000 - 2,297,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Fully remote work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Technical Animator to head a remote team, guiding rig development and simulations for high-fidelity projects. You will mentor peers, design advanced rigging systems, and ensure pipelines deliver robust, artist-friendly tools.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in technical animation, strong Maya rigging skills, and experience with Python/MEL scripting. Remote collaboration with global teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in technical animation, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Expert proficiency in rigging within Maya using industry-standard tools and techniques.
• Strong experience with scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent for pipeline automation.
• In-depth knowledge of character and creature rigging, including complex facial setups and dynamic constraints.
• Hands-on experience with simulation software/tools (e.g., nCloth, nParticles, Bifrost, Houdini).
• Experience working with real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Animation, VFX, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of technical animators in the creation and maintenance of character/creature rigs.
• Develop advanced rigging systems, including facial rigs, body rigs, and specialized control setups.
• Implement and troubleshoot cloth, hair, and physics-based simulations.
• Collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and art directors to define rigging requirements and ensure artistic goals are met.
• Develop and maintain scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to automate rigging tasks and improve pipeline efficiency.
• Create technical documentation and provide training to animators on rig usage and simulation workflows.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in rigging, animation, and simulation technologies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to rigs and simulations during production.

Skills

Maya rigging

Python scripting

MEL scripting

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

MEL

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Lead Technical Animator to join our dynamic, fully remote team. This role is essential for developing and refining character and creature rigs, as well as implementing complex simulations for our high-fidelity entertainment projects. You will lead a team of technical animators, ensuring the creation of robust, flexible, and artist-friendly rigs that empower animators to deliver exceptional performances. Your expertise in rigging, scripting, and simulation technology will be critical to achieving photorealistic or stylized character movements and dynamic environmental effects. We are looking for a proactive leader with a passion for problem-solving and a deep understanding of character pipelines in real-time and offline rendering environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of technical animators in the creation and maintenance of character/creature rigs.


• Develop advanced rigging systems, including facial rigs, body rigs, and specialized control setups.


• Implement and troubleshoot cloth, hair, and physics-based simulations.


• Collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and art directors to define rigging requirements and ensure artistic goals are met.


• Develop and maintain scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to automate rigging tasks and improve pipeline efficiency.


• Create technical documentation and provide training to animators on rig usage and simulation workflows.


• Stay current with the latest advancements in rigging, animation, and simulation technologies.


• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to rigs and simulations during production.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in technical animation, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior capacity.


• Expert proficiency in rigging within Maya using industry-standard tools and techniques.


• Strong experience with scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent for pipeline automation.


• In-depth knowledge of character and creature rigging, including complex facial setups and dynamic constraints.


• Hands-on experience with simulation software/tools (e.g., nCloth, nParticles, Bifrost, Houdini).


• Experience working with real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) is highly desirable.


• Excellent problem-solving skills and a strong understanding of animation principles.


• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for remote collaboration.


• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Animation, VFX, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and the flexibility of a fully remote work arrangement. You will have the opportunity to work on visually ambitious projects, lead a talented team, and significantly influence the technical direction of character performance and simulation. This role provides substantial growth potential and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge visual effects and animation.