CGI Lead
Manhattan, NY · On-site
Salary: 225,000 Position Summary: The CGI Supervisor is responsible for the technical and artistic ... rigging, animation, lighting, look development, FX, and rendering. * Assign work based on project ...
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CGI Lead
Manhattan, NY · On-site
Salary: 225,000 Position Summary: The CGI Supervisor is responsible for the technical and artistic ... rigging, animation, lighting, look development, FX, and rendering. * Assign work based on project ...
Animation Rigger Salary information
What is the average salary of an animation rigger?
The average salary of an animation rigger varies depending on factors like experience, location, and the studio. In the United States, animation riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 per year, with more experienced professionals and those working at major studios earning higher salaries. Entry-level riggers may start at a lower range, while senior riggers or supervisors can earn significantly more. Freelance riggers may have different earnings depending on the projects and clients they work with.
What are some common challenges faced by animation riggers in their daily work?
Animation riggers often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic requirements with technical constraints, ensuring rigs are user-friendly for animators, and troubleshooting unexpected deformations or performance issues within complex character models. Collaboration with modelers and animators is essential, as riggers must adapt rigs to accommodate feedback and evolving project needs. Staying updated with evolving software and rigging techniques is also crucial to maintain efficiency and quality.
What do animation riggers do in animation?
Animation riggers create and set up digital skeletons and control systems that allow characters and objects to move naturally. They work with 3D modeling software and ensure that rigs are functional for animators to produce realistic or stylized movements. Rigging requires knowledge of anatomy, scripting, and technical skills to develop efficient and flexible rigs.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animation rigger, and why are they important?
To thrive as an Animation Rigger, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and 3D modeling principles, along with a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency in software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages like Python or MEL is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help riggers collaborate closely with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure the creation of flexible, efficient rigs that enable smooth character animation and enhance production workflows.
What is the difference between Animation Rigger Salary vs Character Animator Salary?
| Aspect | Animation Rigger Salary | Character Animator Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary | $60,000 - $85,000 | $55,000 - $80,000 |
| Required Skills & Certifications | 3D rigging, software proficiency (Maya, Blender), technical skills | Animation, storytelling, software proficiency (Maya, After Effects) |
| Work Environment | VFX studios, game development, animation companies | Animation studios, game studios, film production |
While both Animation Riggers and Character Animators work closely in the animation industry, riggers focus on creating the skeletal structures that enable characters to move, whereas animators bring characters to life through movement. Salary differences are generally modest, reflecting overlapping skills but distinct roles within the production pipeline.
What are popular job titles related to Animation Rigger Salary jobs in New York? For Animation Rigger Salary jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Rigger Salary jobs in New York look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Rigger Salary jobs in New York are:
What cities in New York are hiring for Animation Rigger Salary jobs? Cities in New York with the most Animation Rigger Salary job openings:
Job description
Salary: 225,000
Position Summary:
The CGI Supervisor is responsible for the technical and artistic quality of all 3D computer-generated content across production. Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the efficient execution of projects from concept through final delivery.
Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled production ecosystem, the CGI Supervisor leads multidisciplinary CGI teams while helping integrate emerging technologies that improve production efficiency, scalability, and quality. This role ensures all deliverables align with the client's creative vision, brand standards, and technical specifications.
Key Responsibilities:
Pipeline & Workflow Leadership
- Define, maintain, and continuously optimize the CGI production pipeline to support efficient, scalable project delivery.
- Collaborate with AI Developers, pipeline engineers, and production teams to implement workflow improvements and automation within HOME.
- Identify opportunities to streamline rendering, asset management, and production processes through emerging technologies.
- Ensure pipeline stability, consistency, and adherence to production standards across all CGI projects.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of CGI artists, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, look development, FX, and rendering.
- Assign work based on project priorities, artist expertise, and production schedules.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing creative environment.
- Support career development through coaching, feedback, and technical guidance.
Technical Direction & Problem Solving
- Serve as the primary technical authority for complex CGI production challenges.
- Troubleshoot issues involving modeling, lighting, rendering, simulations, shaders, and production workflows.
- Work closely with technical teams to improve tools, optimize rendering performance, and reduce production bottlenecks.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to production capabilities.
Creative Direction & Quality Control
- Oversee look development, lighting, materials, rendering, and overall visual quality across all CGI deliverables.
- Conduct regular creative and technical reviews, providing constructive feedback to ensure consistency and excellence.
- Maintain visual continuity across campaigns, assets, and production teams.
- Ensure work meets client expectations, brand standards, and creative objectives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Creative Directors, Senior Art Directors, Production Managers, AI Developers, and Compositing Supervisors throughout the production lifecycle.
- Establish technical standards for seamless handoffs between CGI, compositing, photography, motion, and post-production teams.
- Define render outputs, AOVs, utility passes, and delivery specifications that support efficient downstream production.
- Contribute to the evolution of HOME by identifying opportunities where AI-enabled workflows can enhance creative production without compromising artistic quality.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Visual Effects, Digital Arts, or equivalent professional experience.
- 8+ years of experience in CGI, VFX, or digital production, with demonstrated leadership experience.
- Proven expertise managing end-to-end CGI production pipelines.
- Strong understanding of modeling, lighting, rendering, shading, animation, compositing, and asset management.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
- Ability to balance creative excellence with production schedules and technical requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience leading teams within commercial advertising, retail, e-commerce, or creative production environments.
- Experience implementing production pipeline improvements or workflow automation.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted production tools and emerging generative AI technologies.
- Experience working with cloud rendering and distributed production environments.
- Knowledge of scripting or pipeline development (Python, MEL, MaxScript, or similar).
- Experience collaborating with software developers and technical pipeline teams.
Technical Skills:
3D Software
- 3ds Max
- Houdini
Rendering Engines
- V-Ray
- Karma
Pipeline & Production
- Asset management
- Look development
- Shader development
- Render optimization
- Pipeline architecture
- Workflow automation
- Version control
Emerging Technologies
- AI-enabled production workflows
- Cloud rendering
- Production automation
- Familiarity with HOME AI capabilities
Success in This Role:
A successful CGI Supervisor will:
- Deliver technically exceptional and visually compelling CGI that meets the highest creative standards.
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary CGI teams while fostering collaboration across creative, production, and technology functions.
- Build efficient, scalable production pipelines that improve quality, consistency, and speed.
- Champion innovation by evaluating new tools and technologies that enhance production workflows.
- Help shape the continued evolution of HOME by integrating AI-enabled capabilities into CGI production while maintaining creative integrity and technical excellence.
About thelab
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Marketing
Company size
51 - 200 Employees
Headquarters location
NY, US
Year founded
2002