ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

3D Rigging Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines * Proven experience ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines * Proven experience ...

Embraer

Unreal Engine Technical Artist

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$117.70K - $140.90K/yr

... 3D pipeline workflows from 3ds Max into Unreal Engine. Establish asset standards (naming, scale ... Understand rigging, physics, or animation systems. Exposure to scripting (Python, HLSL, or similar ...

Embraer

Unreal Engine Technical Artist

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$117.70K - $140.90K/yr

Required Qualifications • 7+ years of experience in real-time 3D production, with a strong focus ... rigging, physics, or animation systems. • Exposure to scripting (Python, HLSL, or similar) is a ...

Enludio

Senior Technical Artist (Contractor)

Orlando, FL · On-site

$118.60K - $141.90K/yr

Work with 3D models, textures, shaders, and animations to ensure efficiency and high performance in ... Knowledge of animation and rigging workflows. * Familiarity with CAD-to-real-time workflows.

Swaybox Studios

Senior CG Lighting Artist

New Orleans, LA · Hybrid

$122K - $146K/yr

Understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows. * Basic knowledge of texture mapping ... Experience with ZBrush and other 3D software is advantageous. * Familiarity with scripting or tool ...

AGBO Films LLC

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

AGBO

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. Familiarity with procedural ...

AGBO

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. Familiarity with procedural ...

AGBO

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

KONAMI GAMING INC

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV

$116.30K - $139.10K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

Konami Gaming, Inc

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

AGBO

Asset Artist (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

Swaybox Studios

Senior CG Lighting Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows. * Basic knowledge of texture mapping ... Experience with ZBrush and other 3D software is advantageous. * Familiarity with scripting or tool ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All Jobs3D Rigging Artist Jobs

3D Rigging Artist information

See salary details

$19

$39

$68

How much do 3d rigging artist jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d rigging artist in the United States is $39.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 3D Rigging Artist job?

A 3D Rigging Artist is responsible for creating the skeletal frameworks used to animate 3D models in films, games, and other media. They build rigs that define how a character or object moves, ensuring natural and realistic motion. Their work involves setting up bones, controllers, and deformation systems like skinning. Rigging artists collaborate closely with animators and modelers to ensure smooth functionality. Strong knowledge of anatomy, movement, and technical skills in software like Maya or Blender is essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the 3D Rigging Artist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Rigging Artist, you need a strong understanding of human and animal anatomy, kinematics, and a solid grasp of 3D rigging principles, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and knowledge of scripting (Python, MEL) is typically required, and certifications in these tools can be an advantage. Effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills help you work seamlessly within animation and VFX teams. These combined skills ensure that 3D models move realistically and efficiently, which is crucial for high-quality animation production.

What does a typical workday look like for a 3D Rigging Artist?

A typical day for a 3D Rigging Artist involves creating and refining digital skeletons and control systems for 3D characters or objects, collaborating with animators and modelers to ensure proper movement and deformation. You may spend time troubleshooting and adjusting rigs, developing custom scripts for workflow efficiency, and participating in team meetings to review project goals. Rigging Artists often work closely with other departments, such as animation and technical directors, to address feedback and maintain project consistency. Depending on the studio, you might also help document rigging solutions or mentor junior artists. This structured, collaborative environment helps ensure rapid problem-solving and a high-quality final product.
More about 3D Rigging Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Rigging Artist jobs? Cities with the most 3D Rigging Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Rigging Artist jobs? The most popular types of 3D Rigging Artist jobs are:
What states have the most 3D Rigging Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for 3D Rigging Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching 3D Rigging Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Rigging Artist jobs are:
3D Rigging Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Rigging Artist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,070 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Remote - US and Canada only
thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them.
We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.
Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide. If you've been wanting to have a positive impact on people's lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together.
Major Responsibilities
  • Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch
  • Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation and general art to support as the need arises.
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX, and material tests.
  • Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to help build and maintain a high-performance art pipeline from creation to final package delivery.
  • Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and technical art implementation.
  • Optimizing art content for performance.

Additional Responsibilities
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Working in our proprietary engine, help to establish our material and vfx pipelines.
  • Document workflows and best practices for materials and vfx

Must-Haves
  • A good understanding of shaders (HLSL and/or GLSL) and ideally able to handle supporting c++ code for those prototypes or tools if required
  • Solid experience working with shader, materials and vfx in an industry standard or proprietary game engine
  • Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from concept to completion
  • Solid experience profiling and optimizing shaders and vfx on multiple platforms
  • 3-5 or more years experience as a Technical Artist
  • Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines
  • Proven experience building tools for modern art pipeline with a solid understanding of game engine scripting (ex. Unity, Unreal, Proprietary Engine)
  • Portfolio demonstrating the technical artistic ability, with a focus on custom shaders and vfx
  • Self-motivated and diligent, with established habits for tracking one's own tasks and seeking out answers when needed

Nice to Haves
  • Writing c++ code would be a plus
  • Knowing Mel, Python, Lua, C++, is a plus
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, including character and environment systems
  • Strong communication skills and a positive and professional attitude
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of experience in Computer Science, 3D graphics, or related field
  • Experience working with offsite art and programming teams

Perks:
  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job-there's no waiting period before they kick in.
  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
  • Pre-tax wellness stipend
  • Pre-tax work from home stipend
  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA)
  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services
  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
  • Support for personal professional development

Apply