Senior Rigging Technical Director

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement provisions

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Rigging Technical Director in Paarl, Western Cape, SA, to design, implement, and maintain advanced character and prop rigs for animation. You will collaborate with modelers, animators, and supervisors to ensure rigs are performant, intuitive, and artistically compliant.

You will bring extensive experience in anatomy-based rigging, strong scripting skills in Python, and proficiency with Maya, MEL/C++.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in character rigging for animation.
• Expertise in building complex rigs for realistic and stylized characters.
• Proficiency in Maya and its rigging tools.
• Strong Python scripting; MEL/C++ knowledge a plus.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and deformation principles.
• Experience with facial rigging and performance capture data application.
• Knowledge of standard file formats and pipeline workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving and attention to detail; strong collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement robust and efficient character and prop rigs for animation.
• Develop and maintain rigging tools and scripts to automate processes and enhance workflow efficiency.
• Collaborate with character modelers to optimize topology and mesh preparation for rigging.
• Work closely with animators to provide intuitive, user-friendly rigs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex rigging and deformation issues.
• Optimize rigs for performance within the animation pipeline and downstream renderers.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in rigging technology and techniques.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the rigging and animation teams.
• Contribute to the development of rigging pipelines and best practices.

Skills

Rigging expertise

Maya proficiency

Python scripting

Anatomy & deformation understanding

Facial rigging

Pipeline knowledge

Communication & collaboration

MEL/C++ knowledge

Education

Degree in Computer Graphics/Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Rigging tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected animation studio nestled in the scenic town of Paarl, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced and technically adept Senior Rigging Technical Director . This pivotal role is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of sophisticated character and prop rigs that enable animators to bring creatures and objects to life. You will collaborate closely with character modelers, animators, and supervisors to ensure rigs are performant, intuitive, and meet the artistic and technical demands of complex animated productions. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of anatomy, mechanics, and deformation, coupled with strong scripting and problem-solving skills. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your expertise to high-profile projects and advance your career within a creative and supportive studio environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement robust and efficient character and prop rigs for animation.


• Develop and maintain rigging tools and scripts to automate processes and enhance workflow efficiency.


• Collaborate with character modelers to ensure topology and mesh preparation are optimal for rigging.


• Work closely with animators to understand their needs and provide intuitive, user-friendly rigs.


• Troubleshoot and resolve complex rigging and deformation issues.


• Optimize rigs for performance within the animation pipeline and downstream renderers.


• Stay current with the latest advancements in rigging technology and techniques.


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


• Contribute to the development of rigging pipelines and best practices.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in character rigging for animation (film, TV, or games).


• Proven expertise in building complex, high-quality rigs for realistic and stylized characters.


• Proficiency in Maya and its associated rigging tools.


• Strong scripting skills in Python are essential; MEL, C++, or other relevant languages are a plus.


• Deep understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and deformation principles.


• Experience with facial rigging and performance capture data application.


• Knowledge of industry-standard file formats and pipeline workflows.


• Excellent problem-solving abilities and meticulous attention to detail.


• Strong communication and collaboration skills.


• Degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience and expertise, along with potential project-based bonuses. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement provisions, is provided. Employees have access to continuous learning opportunities, including specialized training and workshops. The studio provides a creative and collaborative atmosphere in Paarl, Western Cape , fostering innovation and professional growth. Work on visually stunning projects and contribute to the art of animation.