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Character Rigging 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 ...

DK Global

3D Generalist

Redlands, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Character Rigging with CAT. * Lighting and rendering with Vray. * Knowledge of 3ds Max Particles and Dynamics. * Experience with Z-Brush or Mudbox is a plus. * Experience with Mari is a plus.

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 ...

Big Shot Pictures

Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... real-time character and animation pipeline. This role operates at the intersection of animation, rigging, tools development, and engine integration, and is critical to ensuring characters and ...

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$10

$18

$37

How much do character rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for character rigging in California is $18.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Character Rigging Jobs?

Character rigging is the process of creating an animated person, animal, or other moving object and adding features for movement to make it look more realistic or to match the flow of the storyline. In this role, you develop characters for cartoon shows, animated films, and video games. You create the framework of the character using rigging tools such as Maya or Motionbuilder and manipulate the character to make it jump, run, smile, or do other actions. Once the framework is set, you may add physical features, such as skins and facial shapes, to be used by the animator to develop the movement flow within the show or game.

What is character rigging?

Character rigging is the process of creating a digital skeleton for a character model so that it can be posed and animated in 3D software. Riggers add bones, joints, and control systems to a character, allowing animators to move and deform the model realistically. This is a crucial step in the animation pipeline for films, video games, and visual effects, enabling expressive and lifelike character movements.

What are some typical challenges faced in a character rigging role, and how can they be addressed?

Character rigging artists often encounter challenges such as creating rigs that are both flexible for animators and efficient for real-time rendering. Balancing complexity with usability, ensuring deformation looks natural, and maintaining performance in game engines are common hurdles. Collaboration with modelers and animators is essential to iterate on rigs quickly based on feedback. Staying updated with the latest rigging tools and scripting techniques can greatly help in overcoming these challenges and delivering high-quality rigs on tight production schedules.

Are riggers in high demand?

Character rigging is a specialized skill in the animation and gaming industries, and demand for riggers is steady as studios seek skilled professionals to create flexible, efficient character models. Job opportunities often require proficiency in rigging tools like Maya or Blender and a strong understanding of anatomy and movement. The industry values experience and technical skills, making rigging a viable career path with consistent demand.

What is the difference between Character Rigging vs 3D Modeler?

AspectCharacter Rigging3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating skeletons and controls for character animationModeling 3D objects and characters
Skills RequiredRigging techniques, anatomy, software like Maya or BlenderModeling, texturing, topology, software like Maya, Blender, 3ds Max
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, VFXGame studios, film, animation, product visualization
CertificationsOften not mandatory but relevant courses in rigging and animationOften not mandatory but relevant in modeling and design courses

While both roles work closely in 3D production, Character Rigging specializes in creating the underlying structure for animation, whereas a 3D Modeler focuses on building the visual and geometric aspects of models. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Character Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Rigger, you need a solid grasp of anatomy, 3D modeling, and an understanding of animation principles, usually supported by a background in computer graphics or animation. Expertise in industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills make a rigger stand out when collaborating with animators and modelers. These skills ensure character rigs are both functional and intuitive, resulting in smooth animation workflows and high-quality visual output.
More about Character Rigging jobs
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What cities in California are hiring for Character Rigging jobs? Cities in California with the most Character Rigging job openings:
Character Rigging jobs near you

Expression of Interest - Rigging Artist

AGBO Films LLC

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Temporary

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About the Company:
Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio's projects include Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video's visceral thriller The Bluff and the global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 premieres in May 2026.
AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios.
About the Position:
AGBO is seeking a talented Rigging Artist to join our Visual Effects (VFX) team. The Rigging Artist is responsible for designing and creating complex character and creature rigs and pipeline for use in various projects. They collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and other team members to ensure that characters and creatures move realistically and convincingly within the context of the project.
This is an Expression of Interest role.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Work with department heads to design and build sophisticated character and creature rigs using industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Houdini, Blender, or similar tools. This may include creating skeletons, muscle systems, deformations, and control setups.
  • Prepare characters for animation by setting up skinning and weighting to ensure that the mesh deforms correctly as the character moves.
  • Develop facial rigs that allow animators to create expressive facial animations, including lip-syncing, blinking, and emotive expressions.
  • Implement realistic body mechanics in rigs, such as joint limitations, muscle simulations, and secondary animations like cloth and hair.
  • Write scripts and use automation tools to streamline rigging processes and improve efficiency.
  • Troubleshoot rigging issues and provide creative solutions to technical challenges that may arise during the animation process.
  • Collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and other team members to ensure rigs meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project.
  • Maintain detailed documentation and guidelines for the rigs to facilitate smooth handovers to animators and other team members.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to junior rigging artists, sharing best practices and helping them develop their skills.
  • Keep up-to-date with industry trends, tools, and techniques related to rigging and animation to ensure the team's work remains at the cutting edge of the field.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of proven experience as a Rigging Artist in the animation or VFX industry, with a strong portfolio showcasing your rigging work.
  • Proficiency in industry-standard 3D software, such as Maya or Blender.
  • Solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and character movement.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work creatively within technical constraints.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Leadership abilities and experience in mentoring junior artists is a plus
  • Metahuman experience is a plus.
  • Familiarity with scripting languages like Python for automation is a bonus.

Additional Information:
  • This is a temporary position with the possibility of extension based on project needs.
  • This is an Expression of Interest role. You will be contacted once an opportunity becomes available.
  • Remote candidates may be considered; however, preference will be given to those who can work in Los Angeles.
  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship.
  • Please submit a portfolio or demo reel for consideration.

AGBO Labs LLC is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education and experience.
AGBO participates in E-Verify - English | Spanish
The job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent to this position.

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