Senior Character Rigger

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Creative studio environment

Professional growth

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Character Rigger in Stellenbosch to craft advanced skeletal rigs for a range of 3D characters across film, games, and media. You will collaborate with modelers and animators to deliver expressive, animator-friendly rigs and contribute to the rigging toolset and pipelines.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of rigging experience, proficiency in Maya or Blender, strong anatomy knowledge, and scripting ability (Python/MEL).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in character rigging for animation or games.
• Proficient in industry-standard 3D software (Maya, Blender or similar).
• Strong understanding of anatomy, biomechanics and physics.
• Experience with scripting for tool development (Python or MEL).
• Proven ability to create complex facial rigs with nuanced expressions.
• Experience with motion capture data and its rigging applications.
• Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Portfolio showcasing diverse high-quality character rigs.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality character rigs for 3D models with functionality and animator-friendly workflows.
• Implement advanced rigging techniques including facial rigs, muscles, IK/FK setups.
• Collaborate with modelers and animators to meet design and movement needs.
• Optimize rigs for performance and efficient animation pipelines.
• Create clear documentation and provide trainer support for rig usage.
• Troubleshoot and resolve rigging-related issues.
• Stay current with rigging tech and software advancements.
• Manage rigging tasks and ensure timely delivery per schedule.
• Contribute to rigging tools and pipelines to improve efficiency.
• Maintain consistency in rigging standards across projects.

Skills

5+ years experience

Rigging expertise

Python / MEL scripting

Animated workflows

Character anatomy knowledge

Tools

Maya

Blender

Unreal/Unity (game engines)

Rigging tools pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly regarded animation and visual effects studio in the heart of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is actively seeking an experienced Senior Character Rigger. This crucial role involves creating complex and functional skeletal structures for 3D characters, enabling animators to bring them to life with fluidity and expressiveness. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and advanced rigging techniques, along with proficiency in industry-standard 3D software. You will be responsible for developing robust, efficient, and animator-friendly rigs for a wide range of characters across various projects. Join our team in the picturesque Stellenbosch, Western Cape , and contribute your expertise to creating memorable characters for feature films, games, and other visual media.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality character rigs for 3D models, ensuring functionality, flexibility, and ease of use for animators.
• Implement advanced rigging techniques, including facial rigging, muscle simulation, and IK/FK setups.
• Collaborate closely with character modelers and animators to understand character design and movement requirements.
• Optimize rigs for performance and efficient animation workflow.
• Create clear documentation and provide training for animators on rig usage.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character rigs.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in rigging software and techniques.
• Manage rigging tasks and ensure timely delivery according to production schedules.
• Contribute to the development of rigging tools and pipelines to improve efficiency.
• Ensure consistency in rigging standards across projects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in character rigging for animation or games.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D software such as Maya, Blender, or similar.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, biomechanics, and physics.
• Experience with scripting languages like Python or MEL for tool development.
• Proven ability to create complex facial rigs with nuanced expressions.
• Experience with performance capture data and its application in rigging.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• A strong portfolio showcasing diverse and high-quality character rigging work.
• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) is a plus.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and diverse animation projects.
• Creative and collaborative studio environment.
• Professional growth and skill development.
• Contribute to the creation of visually stunning characters.
• Work in the beautiful and academically rich city of Stellenbosch, Western Cape .