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Character Rigger Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation ... Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ...

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation ... Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ...

Experience with basic character animation or rigging. * Familiarity with Cinema 4D, Blender, or other 3D tools. * Knowledge of sound design and motion for paid social formats. * Experience working ...

Character Rigger information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$14

$26

$37

How much do character rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for character rigger in Chicago, IL is $26.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $30.72 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 Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Character Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Character Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Character Rigger job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,789 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Management in Training (MIT) - Project Development Track

Prolift Rigging

Downers Grove, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Management in Training (MIT) - Project Development Track
Program Length: 12 Months
Career Path: Project Development Representative
Travel: Significant travel to company branches and project locations
Relocation: Required upon successful completion of the MIT Program
ProLift Rigging is a privately owned, purpose-driven industrial construction company that has a unique, opportunistic, and growth-oriented culture.
OUR PURPOSE
To acknowledge and glorify God by living in submission to Him as we steward His resources, giving Him thanks through the meaningful work we do, and directing the profits of our business to the redemptive work He is doing on the earth.
OUR MISSION
To be the best full-service lifting, rigging, and relocation solutions company, enabling total project success for teams that construct, move, or maintain mission-critical plant, machines, and equipment.
Best is:
  • Loyal and growing customers that consider us the best.
  • Aligned, engaged, value-driven, and effective team members doing whatever it takes to achieve our mission.
  • Esteemed by the participants in our industry.
  • High return on capital.

OUR CORE VALUES
  • Safety - Evaluate risk, plan to mitigate it to protect customers, our team, the public, and property.
  • Focus - Focus on the potential of our customers and fellow teammates, working for their success as if our success is on the line.
  • Ingenuity - Think about, discuss, and implement ideas that make us better.
  • Superintend - take seriously the opportunity to wisely invest time, talent, and capital for the benefit of others.
  • Respect - Soberly respect others and the work we do. Both matters.
  • Diligence - Remember that any meaningful goal is achieved through dogged persistence and staying engaged.
  • Teamwork - We are a team that needs each members' contribution to achieve our mission.

About the Opportunity
The Management in Training (MIT) - Project Development Track is a 12-month immersive development experience designed to prepare a high-potential individual to become a high-performing Project Development Representative within our organization.
For 12 months, the MIT will be based in our Downers Grove, Illinois office and work directly alongside executive leadership while gaining hands-on exposure to our companies, people, customers, projects, field operations, commercial strategies, and decision-making processes.
The program is designed to progress from learning and observation to participation, ownership, and demonstrating project development capability.
This is not an administrative assistant position, traditional internship, or classroom-based training program. The MIT will be expected to become an active contributor to the business while learning it.
Upon successful completion of the program, the expectation is that the MIT will relocate to one of our branch locations and launch into a Project Development Representative sales role.
This program is intended to become a strategic pipeline for developing future sales talent throughout our companies.
We are looking for someone who is:
Humble
You are eager to learn, coachable, willing to ask questions, comfortable admitting what you do not know, and focused on the success of the team rather than personal recognition.
Hungry
You possess a strong internal drive. You are competitive, curious, proactive, disciplined, and willing to put in the effort necessary to create opportunities and produce results.
Aware
You demonstrate strong self-awareness and situational awareness. You read people and environments well, understand how your actions affect others, listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and build trust.
We can teach our businesses, industry, processes, equipment, and sales strategies. We are looking for someone who brings the character, curiosity, work ethic, and awareness necessary to learn and apply them.
What You Will Do
The MIT experience is organized around six progressive development stages.
  • Stage 1 - Cultural Foundation & Expectations
  • Stage 2 - Sales Fundamentals
  • Stage 3 - Internal Relationships & Organizational Fluency
  • Stage 4 - Field & Operational Mastery
  • Stage 5 - Demonstrated Sales Capability
  • Stage 6 - Market Ownership & Launch Readiness

During the final stage, you will be expected to operate increasingly like a Project Development Representative before formally entering the role.
Field and Travel Expectations
  • The MIT will be based in person at our Downers Grove, Illinois office during the 12-month program.
  • This role is designed around immersion and access to leadership and is therefore not intended to be a remote position.
  • The MIT should expect a demanding professional schedule, typically approximately 50 hours per week, along with significant travel.
  • Travel may include full-week assignments at company branches, customer locations, jobsites, training programs, trade shows, and other operating locations.
  • The candidate must be willing and able to travel regularly throughout the year.

Graduation and Relocation Expectation
  • The MIT Program has a specific destination.
  • Successful completion of 12 months alone does not constitute graduation. Graduation is based on demonstrated readiness to operate effectively as a Project Development Representative.
  • Upon successful graduation from the MIT Program, the candidate is expected to relocate to an available company branch and transition into a Project Development Representative sales position.
  • Candidates should consider geographic flexibility and willingness to relocate to be fundamental requirements of the opportunity.

What Success Looks Like
At the end of the program, we do not want to send a new salesperson to a branch who must then begin learning our business.
We want to launch someone who already understands our companies, our culture, our customers, our operations, and our approach to developing profitable business-and who is ready to contribute immediately.
The ultimate objective of the MIT Program is to repeatedly develop strategic, high-performing salespeople who can help build markets and grow our companies for years to come.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in business, sales, marketing, construction management, engineering, or a related field
  • Ability to work in person 5 days a week in Downers Grove, Illinois
  • 2 years + experience in sales, industrial services, construction, logistics, or project operations
  • Demonstrated leadership, relationship-building, presentation, and problem-solving skills
  • Strong communication, organization, initiative, accountability, and coachability
  • Competitive, entrepreneurial mindset with an interest in a long-term sales career
  • Familiarity with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and industrial or project-based environments
  • Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship