Senior Rigging Artist

Senior Rigging Artist

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create advanced rigs for characters and creatures in Maya, ensuring top-notch animation quality.
  • Company: Join a leading VFX studio known for its creativity and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of animation technology and mentor the next generation of artists.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in Maya rigging, strong problem-solving skills, and experience in VFX.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on creativity and continuous improvement.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

The Senior Rigging Artist is responsible for building robust, scalable character, creature, and prop rigs entirely within Maya. This includes developing facial systems, deformation setups, and custom tools to support animation and downstream departments. The role balances technical execution with mentorship and cross-department collaboration.

Duties

  • Rig Development: Build advanced Maya rigs for characters, creatures, and props. Deliver animation-friendly rigs that meet artistic and technical standards.
  • Deformation: Deliver clean skinning, blendshapes, and deformation setups.
  • Tool Creation: Support the team with scalable tools and reliable technical solutions. Develop and maintain rigging tools to support team workflows.
  • Pipeline Integration: Ensure rigs are stable and compatible with downstream use.
  • Collaboration: Work with animation, CFX, and modeling to meet rigging needs. Help define best practices and contribute to pipeline improvements.
  • Mentorship: Provide support and review feedback for mid and junior artists. Support the team in elevating both output and efficiency.
  • Scene Organisation: Maintain clean hierarchies and naming conventions.
  • Troubleshooting: Resolve rig and deformation issues during asset or shot work.

Skills, attributes and experience

  • Expert-level rigging in Maya using joints, constraints, and utility nodes.
  • Deep understanding of Matrix math and the architecture of Maya.
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, deformation, and facial rigging setups.
  • Proficient in Python / Pyside for scripting and automation.
  • Solid communicator with strong problem-solving skills.
  • Comfortable working independently on complex rigging tasks.
  • Experience with Git and GitLab or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with OpenMaya and/or C++.
  • Familiarity with USD rig publishing and referencing.
  • Understanding of Houdini-based CFX.
  • Experience with facial rigs, correctives, and driven systems.
  • Ability to review and maintain rig templates and standards.
  • Confidence working with pipeline and tools teams.
  • 6–8 years in VFX or a related field.
  • Excellent communicator, sharing information clearly and actively listening.
  • Strong time management, ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and elevate delays in a timely manner.
  • Adaptable to change with the ability to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude.
  • Driven to make things better with flexibility to change course when needed.
  • Positive energy, focusing on results and having a positive impact on those around you.
  • Self-awareness and an ability to resolve and diffuse problems treating others with kindness and respect.
  • Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work well with others.

Senior Rigging Artist employer: One of Us Ltd

As a Senior Rigging Artist at our innovative studio, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises creativity and collaboration. We offer competitive benefits, including professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages mentorship and growth. Located in a vibrant area, our studio fosters a sense of community, making it an excellent place for artists to elevate their craft while contributing to exciting projects.
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Contact Detail:

One of Us Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Rigging Artist

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow rigging artists and industry contacts 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 killer portfolio that highlights your best rigging projects. Make sure to include breakdowns of your rigs and any custom tools you've developed to really impress potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with Maya, Python scripting, and any challenges you've faced in rigging. Practice explaining your thought process clearly.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from passionate candidates. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with the role and show us why you're the perfect fit for our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Rigging Artist

Expert-level rigging in Maya
Matrix math
Anatomy understanding
Deformation setups
Facial rigging setups
Python / Pyside scripting
Problem-solving skills
Git and GitLab experience
OpenMaya familiarity
C++ familiarity
USD rig publishing and referencing
Houdini-based CFX understanding
Time management
Collaboration skills
Mentorship abilities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your expert-level rigging skills in Maya. Talk about your experience with character and creature rigs, and don’t forget to mention any cool tools you've created or used!

Be a Team Player: We love collaboration at StudySmarter! In your application, share examples of how you've worked with other departments like animation or CFX. This shows us you can communicate effectively and contribute to a positive team environment.

Keep It Organised: Just like maintaining clean hierarchies in your rigs, keep your application tidy too! Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for us to read. A well-structured application reflects your attention to detail.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter family!

How to prepare for a job interview at One of Us Ltd

✨Master Your Rigging Skills

Make sure you brush up on your rigging techniques in Maya before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with character, creature, and prop rigs, and showcase any advanced rigs you've built. Highlight your understanding of deformation setups and facial rigging, as these are crucial for the role.

✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Prowess

Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled rigging challenges in the past. Whether it’s troubleshooting issues during asset work or developing custom tools, demonstrating your problem-solving skills will show that you can handle the technical demands of the job.

✨Emphasise Collaboration and Mentorship

Since this role involves working closely with animation, CFX, and modelling teams, be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Talk about how you've mentored junior artists or contributed to team workflows, as this will highlight your ability to elevate the team's output.

✨Be Prepared for Technical Questions

Expect questions that dive deep into your knowledge of Matrix math, Python scripting, and pipeline integration. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you've applied them in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your technical expertise and readiness for the position.

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