Rigging Artist in Sydney

Rigging Artist

Flyingbark, a leading animation studio based in Sydney, New South Wales, is seeking a talented Rigging Artist to join our dynamic team.

In this full-time position, you will play a crucial role in the animation pipeline, ensuring that characters and objects are rigged effectively for animation. Your expertise will help bring our creative visions to life, contributing to high-quality animated productions that captivate audiences. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about animation and looking to work in a collaborative environment with industry professionals.

Key facts

• Location: Sydney, New South Wales
• Engagement: Full-time

What you'll do

• Design and implement character rigs that facilitate smooth and natural movement for animated characters.
• Collaborate closely with animators to understand their needs and ensure that rigs are optimized for performance and usability.
• Create and maintain control systems for characters, ensuring that they are intuitive and user-friendly for animators.
• Troubleshoot and resolve rigging issues that may arise during the animation process, ensuring a seamless workflow.
• Develop and maintain documentation for rigging processes and techniques to support team members and future projects.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss project goals, timelines, and any challenges related to rigging.
• Work with the modeling team to ensure that character models are compatible with rigging requirements.
• Stay updated on industry trends and advancements in rigging technology and techniques to continually improve the quality of work.
• Mentor junior rigging artists, providing guidance and support to help them develop their skills.
• Contribute to the overall creative process by providing input on character design and animation techniques.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as lighting and rendering, to ensure that rigs function well within the overall production pipeline.
• Assist in the testing and evaluation of new rigging tools and software to enhance the studio's capabilities.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in rigging for animation, preferably in a professional studio environment.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, Blender, or similar 3D animation tools.
• Strong understanding of anatomy and movement principles, with the ability to create rigs that mimic realistic motion.
• Experience with character setup, including skinning, weight painting, and creating control rigs.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MEL to automate rigging tasks and improve efficiency.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members across various departments.

Nice to have

• Experience with game engine integration, particularly with Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Knowledge of facial rigging techniques and the ability to create expressive character rigs.
• Familiarity with motion capture technology and its application in animation.
• Previous experience in a leadership or mentoring role within a rigging team.
• A portfolio showcasing a diverse range of rigging work, including both characters and props.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in Maya, Blender, or similar 3D animation software.
• Strong understanding of rigging principles and techniques.
• Familiarity with Python and MEL scripting for automation.
• Knowledge of anatomy and movement principles.
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity is a plus.

Practical notes

• This position is based in Sydney, New South Wales, and requires a full-time commitment.
• The salary for this role will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in Australia; visa sponsorship may be available for the right candidate.