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3D Character Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Roblox

Senior 3D Artist, Technical

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$163K - $200K/yr

Partner with engineers to prototype and guide the development of our movement and rigging systems ... Familiarity with scripting languages and node-based character controllers (i.e. Unreal Blueprints ...

Roblox

Senior 3D Artist, Technical

San Mateo, CA

$144K - $173K/yr

Partner with engineers to prototype and guide the development of our movement and rigging systems ... Familiarity with scripting languages and node-based character controllers (i.e. Unreal Blueprints ...

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3D Character Rigger information

What is the difference between 3D Character Rigger vs 3D Modeler?

Aspect3D Character Rigger3D Modeler
Primary RoleCreates skeletal structures and controls for character animationBuilds detailed 3D models of characters, objects, or environments
Skills & ToolsRigging software (Maya, Blender), anatomy knowledgeModeling software (Maya, ZBrush), topology, texturing
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, VFXModeling studios, game design, VFX
CredentialsOften requires knowledge of anatomy, rigging techniquesRequires strong modeling and texturing skills

While both roles work closely in the 3D pipeline, a 3D Character Rigger focuses on creating the underlying skeleton and controls for animation, whereas a 3D Modeler builds the detailed character models. Understanding both roles helps in collaborative production environments.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D Character Riggers when working on diverse animation projects?

3D Character Riggers often encounter challenges such as adapting rigs to accommodate a wide variety of character designs and animation styles, ensuring both flexibility and stability in movement. Collaborating closely with modelers and animators is crucial to address issues like skin deformation and maintaining consistent quality across different assets. Additionally, Riggers must frequently troubleshoot technical problems that arise with new software tools or unique project requirements, making strong problem-solving skills essential for success in this role.

What are 3D Character Riggers?

3D Character Riggers are professionals in the animation, film, and gaming industries who create the digital skeletons and controls that allow 3D characters to move realistically. They build rigs—internal structures of bones and joints—so that animators can manipulate characters for movement, expression, and action. Riggers must have a solid understanding of anatomy, movement, and software tools like Maya or Blender. Their work is essential for bringing digital characters to life in movies, video games, and visual effects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D Character Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Character Rigger, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills for collaborating with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure efficient rig creation, seamless character movement, and smooth production pipelines in animation and game development.
What are popular job titles related to 3D Character Rigger jobs in California? For 3D Character Rigger jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 3D Character Rigger jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Character Rigger jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for 3D Character Rigger jobs? Cities in California with the most 3D Character Rigger job openings:
3D Character Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Rigger job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.
Technical Artist: Avatar Systems

Technical Artist: Avatar Systems

Genies, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Genies is an AI avatar technology company powering the visual and embodiment layer for AI. Through the Genies SDK, their proprietary avatar framework brings AI to life as fully realized AI personas that look, think, behave, and play like living identities. Genies powers AI companion, NPC, and agent use cases across enterprise, consumer, creator, entertainment, and gaming. Genies has raised $200M from Silver Lake, BOND, and Bob Iger. Genies is built on the belief that every website, app, game, brand, and human will have an AI persona.
Genies is seeking a Technical Artist: Avatar Systems to help build the next generation of avatar creation tools. This role blends deep expertise in character rigging, geometry processing, and real-time pipelines with experience in AI-assisted workflows. You'll advance the development of modular avatar systems and scalable pipelines that enable highly customizable, production-ready avatars across platforms, working at the intersection of art, engineering, and machine learning.
What You'll Be Doing:
  • Design, build, and extend avatar systems using modular components, automated rigging, and AI-assisted workflows
  • Develop and scale cloud-based rigging and deformation systems for interoperable avatars and assets
  • Apply procedural and machine learning techniques to solve complex problems in asset creation, processing, and customization
  • Integrate generative AI into internal and public-facing 3D content pipelines
  • Partner with ML engineering, art, and product to prototype and ship tools and workflows across mobile, browser, and game engine environments
  • Define technical standards, benchmarks, and best practices across systems and pipelines
  • Mentor senior team members and drive technical direction across projects

What You Should Have:
  • 10+ years of experience in Technical Art, Character TD, or similar roles
  • Strong programming skills in Python and C++
  • Deep experience with character rigging, skinning, and deformation systems
  • Experience transferring rigging data across meshes (skin weights, blend shapes, UVs, textures)
  • Strong foundation in 3D math, linear algebra, and mesh topology
  • Proven experience building scalable, production-grade pipelines and tools
  • Experience applying procedural and machine learning techniques to 3D workflows, including computational geometry and implicit/neural representations (e.g., SDFs, Gaussian splatting)
  • Experience applying USD composition concepts (layering, references, payloads, variants) within asset pipelines and workflows
  • Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, ML, art, and product teams

Excellent to Have:
  • Familiarity with open-source geometry processing libraries (Python/C++)
  • Experience with 2D/3D segmentation, feature detection, and pose estimation
  • Experience with procedural dynamics systems (cloth, secondary motion)
  • Familiarity with AI-based 3D generation (diffusion, GANs, VAEs, etc.)

How Genies will support you
  • Competitive salary and equity packages
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Parental leave
  • Hybrid work structure (minimum 4 days in office weekly)
  • Monthly wellness reimbursement

Genies is a well-funded, fast-growing start-up that values innovation, creativity, and ownership. Our roles and their responsibilities are created with a breadth of scope that introduces each employee to exciting new challenges and opportunities that a growing start-up encounters. The actual base pay is dependent upon a number of factors, including: professional background, training, transferable skills, work experience, education, location, business and product needs, and market demand. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
These are for our full time, benefits eligible positions

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