Rigging Artist

Job Description

A Rigging Artist is responsible for building the skeletal structures and control rigs of 3D characters, creatures, and objects, enabling them to be animated in a natural and expressive way. They work closely with modelers, animators, and technical directors to ensure that rigs are functional, efficient, and meet the creative and technical needs of the production.

Job Responsibilities

• Create bone structures, control rigs, and skinning for characters, props, and creatures.

• Collaborate with modelers and animators to ensure models deform correctly during motion.

• Develop custom rigs using scripting (e.g., Python, MEL) when necessary.

• Troubleshoot and resolve rig-related issues throughout the production pipeline.

• Optimize rigs for performance in animation software and rendering engines.

• Maintain consistency and quality of rigging setups across projects.

• Document rigging systems for ease of use by other team members.

Skill Required

• Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or other 3D software with strong rigging tools.

• Strong understanding of anatomy, motion, and deformation.

• Experience with weight painting and skinning techniques.

• Knowledge of scripting (Python/MEL) for creating advanced rigging tools is a plus.

• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.