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3D Rigger Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Blue Origin

CAD Drafter III

Seattle, WA

$25.50 - $34.50/hr

Experience with Model-Based Definition (MBD) implementation and 3D annotation per ASME Y14.41 ... rigging, assembly, inspection) * Launch component Ground Support Equipment (GSE) experience

City of Seattle

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Seattle, WA

$74.99 - $87.31/hr

Develop disassembly procedures including tooling and rigging designs for rotating machinery Develop ... 3D design software, and Matlab Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or ...

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3D Rigger information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$16

$29

$41

How much do 3d rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d rigger in Seattle, WA is $29.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.30 and $33.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are 3D riggers in demand?

3D riggers are in demand within the animation, gaming, and film industries, as they are essential for creating character movement and articulation. Skilled riggers with knowledge of software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max and experience with character setup are particularly sought after, especially in studios working on complex projects.

What are some common challenges 3D Riggers face when working on animated projects?

3D Riggers often encounter challenges such as creating rigs that are both flexible and stable enough to handle a wide range of character movements without deformation or technical issues. Balancing the needs of animators for control and simplicity, while ensuring the rig performs efficiently in production, can be demanding. Additionally, adapting rigs for different software pipelines and collaborating closely with modelers and animators to troubleshoot problems are frequent parts of the job. Overcoming these challenges requires strong technical skills, creativity, and effective communication within the team.

How do I get into 3D rigging?

To become a 3D rigger, you should learn 3D modeling and animation software such as Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, and develop a strong understanding of anatomy, movement, and rigging techniques. Building a portfolio with rigging projects and gaining experience through tutorials, courses, or internships can help you enter the field. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python can also be beneficial for creating custom tools and workflows.

What does a 3D rigger do?

A 3D rigger creates the skeletal structures and control systems that enable 3D models to move and animate. They set up rigs using software like Maya or Blender, ensuring models can perform realistic movements, which is essential for animation, gaming, and visual effects projects.

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

To thrive as a 3D Rigger, you need a strong understanding of anatomy, movement, and 3D modeling principles, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help in collaborating with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure the creation of efficient, realistic rigs that enable smooth animation and enhance overall production quality.

How much do level 3 riggers make?

Level 3 riggers typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in rigging, safety protocols, and familiarity with industry-standard tools can influence salary levels.

What are 3D Riggers?

3D Riggers are professionals in the animation, film, and gaming industries who create digital skeletons for 3D models. Their work involves designing and building the underlying structures that allow 3D characters or objects to move realistically when animated. Riggers use specialized software to set up controls and deformers, enabling animators to pose and animate models efficiently. Their expertise ensures that characters can express a wide range of movements and emotions, which is essential for believable animation.
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3D Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Rigger job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,618 per year, or $29.6 per hour.
Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX

Redmond, WA

$130K - $180K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 61 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SR. MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

As a member of the Starlink Production Design team you will design the factory of the future, enabling mass production of satellites, ground stations, and high-performance space hardware that has never been produced in volume. You will design custom tooling and machinery for production processes that range from manual to highly automated. You will use your expertise in mechanical engineering to design, analyze, fabricate, qualify, and commission structures, mechanism and automation equipment, optimizing for pace of execution and net impact to SpaceX. You will personally own high impact projects and drive them from concept to completion on a time scale measured in months, not years.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and develop structures, mechanisms and automation equipment to enable high volume production of Starlink Satellites
  • Demonstrate extreme ownership of projects through their entire lifecycle, from initial concept generation through fabrication and production bring-up
  • Balance simultaneous projects of varying scope and complexity in a fast-paced environment
  • Partner with flight design and production teams to develop the satellite, factory and production processes in parallel
  • Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed of execution and efficiency
  • Hone your organizational skills as you coordinate with internal SpaceX resources and external vendors and maintain a project schedule and budget
  • Assemble and commission the equipment you design

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of professional experience in Mechanical Engineering
  • Prior experience designing mechanical systems using 3D CAD software and 2D drawings

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Prior work experience with structural design and analysis
  • Experience with custom machine design; electromechanical systems, motors, actuators, linear rails, bearings, lifting/rigging, etc. 
  • Ability to perform structures hand calculations
  • Strong expertise in design for manufacturability and design for assembly including experience taking products from development to high-volume production
  • Familiarity with drafting standards and the application of GD&T
  • Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, manual and CNC, and hands-on machining experience
  • Experience with Siemens Unigraphics (UGS/NX) and Teamcenter CAD/PDM systems
  • Experience with finite element analysis, such as FEMAP pre/post processing, NASTRAN Solver, ANSYS Workbench, NX Advance Simulation
  • Experience with manufacturing process development, facility and line layouts, process failure mode effects analysis, and error proofing

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Satellites (Starlink): $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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