Technical Artist

Technical Artist Character Rigging

Strong understanding of 3D character rigging principles, including skeleton hierarchy, skinning, controls, constraints, and blendshapes/correctives. Proficiency in rigging software (Maya, Blender, Houdini, etc.) and scripting languages (Python, MEL, etc.). Experience with game engines (Unity, Unreal) and animation pipelines. Ability to develop and maintain tools for automating rigging and asset integration. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Design, build, and maintain skeletons (armatures), blend shapes, and rigging rules/constraints for 3D characters, enabling realistic movement and expression. Collaborate closely with modelers and animators to ensure rigs meet artistic and technical requirements. Develop scripts and tools to automate rigging processes, reducing manual work and increasing efficiency for the team. Work with engineering teams to integrate rigs into the content pipeline, ensuring compatibility with game engines (Unity, Unreal) and animation systems. Provide expertise in industry-standard digital content tools (e.g., Maya, Blender, Houdini, ZBrush) and troubleshoot rigging issues. Test rigs for stability, performance, and usability, making iterative improvements based on feedback from animators and other stakeholders. Partner with cross-functional teams (art, engineering, research) to deliver high-quality character assets for user studies, demos, and production.