Senior Technical Artist (Rigging & Character)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 950,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Performance bonuses

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Artist specializing in character rigging to join our hybrid studio in Sandton, Gauteng. You will design and optimize robust rigs, collaborate with character artists and animators, and build toolchains to streamline workflows across Unreal Engine and Unity.

The role demands 6+ years of rigging-focused experience, expert Maya skills, strong anatomy knowledge, and scripting in Python or MEL to automate pipelines.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience as Technical Artist specializing in rigging.
• Expert proficiency in Maya for character rigging.
• Strong understanding of anatomy for humanoid and creature rigs.
• Scripting in Python or MEL for tools and pipelines.
• Experience with game engines (Unreal/Unity) and animation systems.
• Asset optimization and performance profiling expertise.
• Excellent problem solving and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain complex character rigs for varied game characters.
• Collaborate with artists and animators to ensure seamless integration.
• Develop tools and scripts to streamline rigging and animation workflows.
• Optimize rigs, models, and textures for performance across platforms.
• Troubleshoot rigging and animation issues within the game engine.
• Work with engine tools for character setup and implementation.
• Research new rigging techniques to enhance fidelity and performance.
• Document standards, tools, and pipelines for the team.

Skills

Maya rigging

Python scripting

MEL scripting

Unreal/Unity knowledge

Anatomy expertise

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

About the Role Our client, a highly acclaimed game development studio celebrated for its lifelike characters and sophisticated animation, is seeking a skilled Senior Technical Artist with expertise in Rigging and Character workflows. Based in Sandton, Gauteng , this crucial role bridges the gap between character artists, animators, and the game engine, ensuring characters are not only visually stunning but also technically sound and animatable. You will be responsible for creating robust character rigs, optimizing character assets, and developing efficient pipelines for character creation and integration. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of anatomy, a mastery of rigging tools, and strong scripting skills to automate and enhance workflows. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of high-profile games, working with a talented team on cutting-edge character technology. We are looking for a proactive problem-solver who is passionate about empowering character artists and animators. Your work will directly impact the quality and believability of characters in our games.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain complex and efficient character rigs for various game characters.
• Collaborate closely with character artists and animators to understand their needs and ensure seamless integration.
• Develop and implement character-specific tools and scripts to improve rigging and animation workflows.
• Optimize character models, textures, and rigs for performance across target platforms.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character assets and animation within the game engine.
• Work with engine-specific tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for character setup and implementation.
• Research and implement new rigging techniques and technologies to enhance character performance and visual fidelity.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the character art and animation teams.
• Document rigging standards, tools, and pipelines for team reference.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging trends in character technical art.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Technical Artist specializing in character rigging, with a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional rigging and pipeline work.
• Expert proficiency in Maya, with extensive experience in character rigging using its tools.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, mechanics, and motion.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or MEL for tool development and automation.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their character animation systems.
• Knowledge of PBR materials and shader setup for characters.
• Experience with character asset optimization and performance profiling.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for working in a hybrid team environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development. This hybrid role provides a balance of in-office collaboration at our state-of-the‑art studio in Sandton, Gauteng , and remote flexibility. You'll work on exciting AAA titles and contribute to the development of highly realistic and engaging characters. Access to cutting-edge technology and resources. A supportive and collaborative studio culture. Generous paid time off and holiday allowances. Opportunities for career growth and advancement within a leading game studio. Employee wellness programs and support.