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Animation Rigging Jobs in Manhattan, NY (NOW HIRING)

The Mill

Technical Artist

Manhattan, NY

$139K - $166K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of art and animation pipelines in general ... Maya Rigging experience * Shader programming experience * Scripting skills with MEL, Python, C# ...

The Mill

Technical Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$139K - $166K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of art and animation pipelines in general ... Maya Rigging experience * Shader programming experience * Scripting skills with MEL, Python, C# ...

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All JobsAnimation Rigging JobsAnimation Rigging Jobs in Manhattan, NY

Animation Rigging information

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$15

$28

$40

How much do animation rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation rigging in Manhattan, NY is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.48 and $32.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically senior or lead rigging positions in large animation or VFX studios, often requiring extensive experience, advanced skills in rigging tools like Maya or Houdini, and sometimes specialized knowledge in character or creature rigging. These roles can offer salaries significantly higher than entry-level positions, especially in regions with a strong entertainment industry presence or in companies working on high-budget projects.

What is an Animation Rigging job?

An Animation Rigging job involves creating the digital skeletons that allow characters and objects to move in animation and video games. Rigging artists design and implement the control systems, including joints, bones, and deformers, that animators use to bring models to life. They work closely with modelers and animators to ensure smooth movement and realistic deformations. Strong technical skills in 3D software and scripting are often required for this role.

What does a rigger do in animation?

An animation rigger creates the skeletal structure and controls for characters and objects, enabling them to move naturally. They use tools like Maya or Blender and work closely with animators to ensure the rig allows for a wide range of motion and expression.

How much do riggers make in animation?

Animation riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled riggers with proficiency in tools like Maya or Blender and a strong portfolio can command higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or senior roles.

How to become an animation rigger?

To become an animation rigger, you typically need a strong foundation in 3D modeling, rigging, and animation, often gained through a degree in computer graphics, animation, or a related field. Proficiency in rigging tools like Maya or Blender and understanding of character anatomy and movement are essential, along with building a portfolio to showcase your skills. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions helps develop practical expertise in rigging workflows and industry standards.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Animation Rigging artist?

Animation Rigging artists spend their days designing and building digital skeletons and control systems that allow animators to create lifelike movement for characters and objects. You may work closely with modelers and animators to ensure rigs are user-friendly and optimized for the production pipeline, regularly troubleshooting or refining rigs based on animation feedback. Collaboration is a big part of the job, as you often interact with technical artists, animators, and supervisors to maintain the quality and efficiency of the rigging process. The role can involve balancing technical tasks with creative problem-solving, making it both challenging and rewarding for those passionate about animation.

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

To thrive in Animation Rigging, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, movement, and 3D animation principles, usually supported by experience in computer graphics or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, as well as scripting languages such as Python or MEL, is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and clear communication help riggers effectively integrate with animators and technical artists. These competencies are crucial for building flexible, efficient rigs that enable high-quality animation and seamless production workflows.

What are popular job titles related to Animation Rigging jobs in Manhattan, NY? For Animation Rigging jobs in Manhattan, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Rigging jobs in Manhattan, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Rigging jobs in Manhattan, NY are:
Animation Rigging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Rigging job openings in Manhattan, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 63% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 69% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,722 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Technical Artist

Technical Artist

The Mill

Manhattan, NY

$139K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Company Description

The Mill has been creating world-class visual effects built on creative excellence and cutting-edge technologies for over twenty-eight years. We believe in creating work that touches people emotionally, that becomes popular culture and that people love, talk about and want to share. We believe in great ideas beautifully told.

Job Description

The Mill is looking for an accomplished Technical Artist with UE4 Blueprints development skills. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of art and animation pipelines in general and of the content creation pipeline and Blueprints system in Unreal. A high level of technical knowledge combined with strong creative and visual instincts is critical. The Technical Artist will assist teams of artists in tackling projects and be equipped to provide support on complicated technical issues within Unreal.

Qualifications

Role Responsibilities:

  • Work with the CG Lead and Creative Director to design and build interactive experiences using Unreal
  • Experience/Gameplay Creation - Create interaction and functionality using Unreal's Blueprints system
  • Material Creation - Design complex materials in Unreal and instruct artists on best practices for material creation
  • Lighting - Be well versed in the various lighting techniques in Unreal and instruct the artists in lighting best practices
  • Optimisation - Optimise content through profiling and enhancing performance with the help of diagnostic tools and instructing the artists on modelling and texturing best practices
  • Collaborate with other developers to develop and test new features, prototype shader code, and provide useful feedback during R&D phases

Technical Requirements:

  • Extensive experience working with Unreal Engine
  • Advanced experience of Unreal's Blueprints system
  • Advanced experience with Maya (3dsMax considered)
  • Comfortable in a range of content creation software including Photoshop, Zbrush/Mudbox, Allegorithmic Substance Designer/Painter

Beneficial Additional Skills (not essential to the role but would help differentiate candidates):

  • Experience with VR/AR authoring in Unreal
  • Maya Rigging experience
  • Shader programming experience
  • Scripting skills with MEL, Python, C#, Javascript and C++
Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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