Senior Technical Animator - Character Rigging Specialist

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,167,000 - 1,834,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Access to industry-leading software

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Animator specializing in character rigging for a renowned animation studio. This fully remote role enables you to contribute from anywhere while collaborating closely with animation and modeling teams to build robust rigs and pipelines.

The ideal candidate will design complex control systems, optimize rigs for performance, and document workflows. Mentorship for junior animators and a strong focus on expressive character motion are central to the role.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in technical animation or rigging.
• Strong portfolio with advanced rigs including facial rigs.
• Proficient in Maya rigging tools and workflows.
• Experience with Python or MEL scripting for tools.
• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy and mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement advanced character rigs for various project needs.
• Create and maintain robust control systems for animator usability.
• Document rigging standards and workflows.
• Collaborate with modelers to ensure optimal topology and edge flow for deformation.
• Work with animators to tailor rigging solutions to their needs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve rigging and deformation issues.
• Develop tools/scripts to automate rigging and improve pipeline efficiency.
• Stay current with rigging software and techniques.
• Mentor junior technical animators.
• Ensure rigs are optimized for real-time engines and rendering pipelines.

Skills

Maya rigging

Python scripting

Facial rigging

Anatomy knowledge

Real-time pipeline

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Animation

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected animation studio known for its visually stunning character work, is seeking a dedicated Senior Technical Animator specializing in character rigging. This role requires an expert in creating complex, high-quality character rigs that enable animators to bring digital characters to life with expressive motion. While the studio is located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape , this position is structured as a fully remote opportunity, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will work closely with the animation and modeling teams, developing robust rigging solutions and troubleshooting technical challenges to ensure a smooth animation pipeline. The ideal candidate is a meticulous problem-solver with a passion for character performance and a deep understanding of anatomy, mechanics, and the art of animation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement advanced character rigs for a variety of project needs.


• Develop complex control systems that provide animators with intuitive and efficient tools for character performance.


• Create and maintain documentation for rigging standards and workflows.


• Collaborate with character modelers to ensure optimal topology and edge flow for deformation.


• Work closely with animators to understand their needs and provide effective rigging solutions.


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


• Develop and implement tools and scripts to automate rigging processes and improve pipeline efficiency.


• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in rigging software and techniques.


• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior technical animators.


• Ensure rigs are optimized for performance in real-time engines or rendering pipelines.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Animator or Rigger in the animation or game development industry.


• A strong portfolio showcasing a wide range of character rigging examples, including complex facial rigs and body mechanics.


• Proficiency in Maya, with extensive knowledge of its rigging and character setup tools.


• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or MEL for tool development.


• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, as well as mechanical principles affecting movement.


• Experience with performance capture data and its integration into rigging workflows.


• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their rigging requirements is a plus.


• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.


• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, essential for a remote collaboration.


• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively to meet project deadlines.


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

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.


• Remote work flexibility, allowing for a great work-life balance.


• Opportunity to work on high-profile animation projects with a renowned studio.


• Access to industry-leading software and technology.


• Professional development opportunities and continuous learning.


• Collaborative team environment focused on artistic excellence.


• Contribution to cutting-edge character animation.