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Character Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Carlost Inc.

Account Manager

Burlingame, CA

Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging. 3+ years' experience working as a technical animator on shipped titles Solid understanding of object oriented code design in languages such as python and ...

Carlost Inc.

Account Manager

Burlingame, CA

Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging. 3+ years' experience working as a technical animator on shipped titles Solid understanding of object oriented code design in languages such as python and ...

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Character Rigger information

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$13

$25

$36

How much do character rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for character rigger in California is $25.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a character rigger do?

A Character Rigger is responsible for creating digital skeletons and control systems that allow 3D characters to move realistically in animations, films, and games. They build rigs that deform correctly and provide animators with intuitive controls for posing and motion. This role requires strong knowledge of anatomy, technical skills in software like Maya or Blender, and scripting abilities for automation. Riggers work closely with animators and modelers to ensure smooth character motion and realistic deformation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character rigger?

To thrive as a Character Rigger, you need strong knowledge of anatomy, animation principles, and technical proficiency in 3D rigging, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages like Python or MEL is highly valued. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are key soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities enable character riggers to build functional, efficient rigs that meet animators' needs and support seamless production workflows.

What does a typical day look like for a character rigger working on a production team?

A typical day for a Character Rigger involves creating or refining the skeletal structures and controls that allow 3D characters to move realistically in animation. You’ll often collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and technical directors to troubleshoot issues, implement feedback, and ensure rigs fit the artistic and technical requirements of the project. Daily tasks may include building new rigs, adjusting skin weights, writing scripts to automate repetitive processes, and participating in team meetings. This collaborative and iterative process helps ensure characters animate smoothly and efficiently throughout the production pipeline.

What are the most commonly searched types of Character Rigger jobs in California?

The most popular types of Character Rigger jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Character Rigger jobs in California?

For Character Rigger jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Character Rigger jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Rigger jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Character Rigger jobs?

Cities in California with the most Character Rigger job openings:

Character Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Rigger job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 54% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 23% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,405 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Character Animator - Generative AI Experiences SW

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 683 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

At Apple, we strive to make great products that empower people and improve their lives. We are looking for a great Character Animator to join our diverse team of engineers, artists and designers and help us take our state of the art character animation systems to the next level. This position focuses on creating high-quality, stylized character animation with emphasis on creative expression, performance, and facial animation to push the limits of the next generation of interactive computing.
Description
This role requires a deep understanding of animation artistry, technical proficiency in Maya, and the ability to work within real-time constraints while maintaining high creative standards.
Minimum Qualifications
Solid grasp on the traditional principles of animation
Experience in expressive facial animation
Expert level of knowledge of Autodesk Maya
Understanding of technical constraints in real-time environments
Great at providing and receiving feedback
Ensure animations run efficiently across target platforms and use cases, both real time with frame rate budgets and non-real time
Preferred Qualifications
USD format and workflow familiarity
Experience with procedural animation techniques
Motion capture cleanup and performance enhancement experience
Experience with real-time game engines (Unity, Unreal, or proprietary engines)
Experience with non-linear animation systems, animation statemachines and/or motion matching techniques.
Skilled in modeling and rigging is a plus

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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