Senior Character Rigger

Overview

We are looking for a wildly talented and experienced Senior Character Rigger to help us develop a robust studio level rigging system. As the Senior Character Rigger, you will be involved in the design and implementation of the system from the earliest stages. You will work with Animation to determine features, needs, and desires. You will also work with Engineering to develop an efficient pathway between the tools and the game.

The preferred location for this role is Hunt Valley, MD, Austin, TX, Madison, WI, San Diego, CA, or Seattle, WA. Will consider remote.

Responsibilities

• Build a rigging system that can support many characters and machines
• Build and maintain high-quality, high-performance animation rigs
• Expand upon the current rigging system with new features and modules
• Work closely with Modelers and Animators to ensure all disciplines are getting what they need
• Develop tools to support Animation
• Document system and advocate best practices

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience in character rigging (Maya/3ds Max)
• Solid understanding of Python, C#, or another object oriented scripting language
• Solid understanding of anatomy and kinematics
• Ability and interest in rigging biomorphics and mechanics
• Solid understanding of animation pipelines
• Ability to develop animation tools to support rigs
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and creative team members
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• Self-sufficient, independent, and proactive
• Familiarity with common data formats: XML/JSON/etc.
• Familiarity with common 3D data formats: USD/OBJ/FBX/ALEMBIC/etc.
  
• Experience working with third party animation tools (Havok, Granny, etc.)

*Please include links to your work and clearly indicate your contributions. Resumes without work samples will not be considered. 

Preferred Skills

• MotionBuilder
• PyQt or PySide
• Perforce
• Understanding of core game data pipelines
• Experience with special effects and shaders
• General interest in contemporary CGI techniques

Salary Range

Senior Character Rigger - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $75,000 - $165,000 per year.

ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate’s primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do – from recruiting for our studios, publishing and operations to fostering safe and respectful workplaces that encourage collaboration. Our culture is based on principles of respect, inclusion, and fair treatment and we welcome anyone into our family without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

Our diversity fuels our innovation and inspires us to create game worlds that bring us closer to the global community of players we serve.