At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and maintain character rigs in Blender for exciting animation projects.
- Company: Join Blue Zoo, a leading UK animation studio with a fun and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, comprehensive benefits, and profit sharing after 2 years.
- Other info: Enjoy social events, employee feedback programmes, and a commitment to work-life balance.
- Why this job: Be part of award-winning animation and make your mark in the industry.
- Qualifications: Strong Blender skills, rigging experience, and Python proficiency required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Blender Character TD to take full ownership of the rigging, deformation, and puppeteering systems on an exciting new project! We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid, and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.
Day To Day
- Designing, creating, testing, and maintaining a broad variety of asset rigs.
- Collaborating with animators to design user-friendly rigs and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
- Collaborating with animators to design performance capture and digital puppetry workflows.
- Providing technical feedback to other departments and working with production management to prioritise tasks.
- Strong technical testing, troubleshooting, and debugging to keep the rigging and puppeteering systems reliable.
About You
Must Have
- Strong knowledge of Blender’s deformation systems and 3D principles.
- Previous experience in animation as a rigger or character TD.
- Experience with modular rigging systems.
- Comfortable with Python and the Blender Python API, able to read, debug, and extend existing tools as well as write new ones.
- Experience in modular programming and collaborating in group repositories.
- A thorough and keen eye for detail, and the ability to produce consistent, quality-assured rigs across projects.
- Strong version control habits and good file hygiene.
- Proficiency with CloudRig or Rigify.
- Proficiency with Geometry Nodes.
- Self‑motivated and able to work collaboratively, as well as independently.
- Able to take direction and willing to address constructive feedback.
- Able to communicate clearly with colleagues.
- Able to deliver on schedule, working calmly and efficiently under pressure.
Bonus Points
- Previous experience in feature animation as a rigger.
- Previous experience with live capture workflows like facial and/or motion capture and digital puppetry.
- Familiarity with rez and/or pyblish.
- Previous Blender add‑on/extension development experience.
About Us
Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, known for creating bold, fun, and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, it is the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, having received awards including BAFTAs, an Annie, and an Emmy. Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio to receive B Corp certification, demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of employees, customers, suppliers, and the community. We offer flexible working to support a healthy work–life balance and foster a diverse and inclusive environment that values every individual’s perspective.
What We’ve Got For You
- Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
- Inclusive self‑funded shorts programme.
- Many fun in‑person and remote social events throughout the year.
- Bi‑monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including discounts and offers.
- Online wellbeing programme.
- Profit share for employees who have been with us for 2+ years.
Blender Character TD in London employer: Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Blue Zoo is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to employee wellbeing and a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. With flexible working options, a comprehensive benefits package, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. As the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, Blue Zoo not only offers exciting projects but also fosters growth through initiatives like a self-funded shorts programme and profit sharing for long-term staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Blender Character TD in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow Blender enthusiasts and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and forums where you can share your work and get noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best rigging and puppeteering projects. Make sure to include breakdowns of your processes to demonstrate your technical know-how.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions related to rigging and character TD roles. Be ready to discuss your experience with Blender’s deformation systems and how you tackle troubleshooting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Blue Zoo.
We think you need these skills to ace Blender Character TD in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with Blender’s deformation systems and any previous rigging work you've done. We want to see what you can bring to the table, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to modular rigging systems and performance capture workflows. It’ll show us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if it helps convey your skills and experiences better!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow instructions!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Zoo Animation Studio
✨Know Your Blender Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Blender’s deformation systems and 3D principles. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with rigging and how you've tackled challenges in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the software, but that you can also apply your skills effectively.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with animators, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated in the past. Talk about specific projects where you designed user-friendly rigs or resolved issues together. This will highlight your ability to communicate and work as part of a team.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Prowess
Be ready to discuss your experience with Python and the Blender Python API. You might even want to prepare a few examples of tools you've written or extended. This will demonstrate your technical skills and your ability to troubleshoot and debug effectively.
✨Prepare for Practical Tests
Given the technical nature of the role, it’s likely you’ll face practical tests during the interview. Practice creating and maintaining asset rigs, and be ready to showcase your version control habits and file hygiene. This will help you stand out as someone who is detail-oriented and reliable under pressure.
