Senior Character Technical Director

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision benefits

Professional development opportunities

Career progression potential

Access to cutting-edge tools

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Character Technical Director for its Vereeniging studio. You will design and implement advanced character rigs and deformation systems to empower animators. You will build tools in Python/MEL and collaborate with artists to optimize rigs and pipelines for production.

You should have 7+ years in TD or senior rigging roles, strong Maya expertise, and a solid coding background. This role offers growth in a dynamic, project-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience as a Technical Director or Senior Rigger in animation or VFX.
• Expert proficiency in Maya and its associated rigging and animation tools.
• Strong scripting with Python and/or MEL for tool development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement complex character rigs using Maya.
• Create and maintain sophisticated deformation setups for realistic performances.
• Develop custom tools and scripts (Python, MEL) to streamline rigging and animation workflows.
• Collaborate with modelers, riggers, and animators to address technical needs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to rigging, deformation, and pipeline integration.
• Optimize rig performance for efficient playback and rendering.
• Stay current with advances in rigging tech and software.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of the studio's character pipeline.
• Provide technical support and guidance to teams.

Skills

Maya rigging

Python scripting

MEL scripting

Character deformation

Rigging pipelines

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Time management

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics/Animation or related field

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Maya

Perforce

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading animation studio renowned for its visually stunning cinematic productions, is seeking an experienced Senior Character Technical Director to join their esteemed team in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between artistic creativity and technical execution, focusing on developing robust and efficient character rigs, tools, and pipelines that empower animators to bring characters to life. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of character deformation, rigging principles, and scripting, coupled with a passion for problem-solving and workflow optimization. You will be a key contributor to the development of memorable characters within the vibrant creative hub of Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement complex character rigs using industry-standard software (e.g., Maya).


• Create and maintain sophisticated deformation setups to achieve realistic and expressive character performances.


• Develop custom tools and scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to streamline the rigging and animation workflow.


• Collaborate closely with character modelers, riggers, and animators to understand and address their technical needs.


• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character rigging, deformation, and pipeline integration.


• Optimize rig performance for efficient playback and rendering.


• Stay current with the latest advancements in character rigging technology and animation software.


• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the studio's character pipeline.


• Provide technical support and guidance to the animation and modeling teams.


• Ensure that character assets meet the technical specifications required for final production.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.


• A minimum of 7 years of experience as a Technical Director or Senior Rigger in animation or VFX.


• Expert proficiency in Maya and its associated rigging and animation tools.


• Strong experience with scripting languages such as Python and/or MEL for tool development.


• Deep understanding of character anatomy, kinematics, and facial rigging principles.


• Proficiency in developing and troubleshooting complex deformation systems (e.g., muscles, cloth, secondary motion).


• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).


• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.


• Ability to manage time effectively and meet project deadlines.


• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional rigging and technical directing work is required.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience.


• Opportunity to work on visually stunning and globally recognized projects.


• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools.


• Collaborative and supportive work environment in Vereeniging .


• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.


• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.


• Potential for career advancement within the studio.