Senior Technical Animator - Rigging & Character Setup

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Senior Technical Animator to own advanced rigging for characters and props, collaborating with animators and artists to deliver high-quality performance.

You will develop Python/MEL tools, optimize deformation, and integrate with Maya and game engines, while maintaining pipelines and documentation. Relocation to Nelspruit is supported, with a creative studio environment provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Animator or Rigger in the games or animation industry.
• Expertise in Maya rigging, including character setup, skinning, blend shapes, and IK/FK systems.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python and/or MEL for tool development.
• Strong understanding of animation principles and character performance.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and their animation systems.
• Knowledge of character modeling and optimization techniques is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing complex rigs and technical animation solutions is required.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain complex character and prop rigs using industry-standard software (e.g., Maya).
• Develop custom tools and scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to streamline the rigging and animation process.
• Collaborate with character artists to ensure models are optimized for rigging and deformation.
• Work closely with animators to troubleshoot rigging issues and provide support for animation tasks.
• Implement and test animation systems, ensuring they meet project requirements for performance and functionality.
• Maintain technical documentation for rigging and animation pipelines.
• Stay up-to-date with advancements in rigging technology and character animation techniques.
• Contribute to pipeline development and workflow improvements within the animation department.

Skills

Rigging

Python scripting

MEL scripting

Animation principles

Teamwork

Tools

Maya

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the interactive entertainment and digital media space, is looking for a skilled Senior Technical Animator to join their dedicated team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This role is crucial for bringing characters and objects to life through sophisticated rigging and animation systems. You will be responsible for developing robust character rigs, implementing complex animation tools, and collaborating closely with animators and character artists to ensure seamless integration and high-quality performance. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of animation principles, scripting, and character pipeline workflows. If you are a technical wizard with a passion for character performance and are based in or willing to relocate to Nelspruit , this is an exceptional opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain complex character and prop rigs using industry-standard software (e.g., Maya).
• Develop custom tools and scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to streamline the rigging and animation process.
• Collaborate with character artists to ensure models are optimized for rigging and deformation.
• Work closely with animators to troubleshoot rigging issues and provide support for animation tasks.
• Implement and test animation systems, ensuring they meet project requirements for performance and functionality.
• Maintain technical documentation for rigging and animation pipelines.
• Stay up-to-date with advancements in rigging technology and character animation techniques.
• Contribute to pipeline development and workflow improvements within the animation department.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Animator or Rigger in the games or animation industry.
• Expertise in Maya rigging, including character setup, skinning, blend shapes, and IK/FK systems.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python and/or MEL for tool development.
• Strong understanding of animation principles and character performance.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and their animation systems.
• Knowledge of character modeling and optimization techniques is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing complex rigs and technical animation solutions is required.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive annual salary of R per annum , comprehensive medical coverage, and retirement benefits. This full-time position is based in our well-equipped studio in Nelspruit , offering a creative and collaborative work environment. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the company. This role provides a stable and rewarding career path for experienced technical animators in the Mpumalanga province.