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Character Technical Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Grace Community Church

AV Technical Lead

Fulton, MD · On-site

CHARACTER S/he is a self-aware, spiritually mature disciple as embodied by our five marks ... Technical Director * Works Closely with:Technical Arts Staff and Worship Staff BENEFITS Family ...

Grace Community Church

AV Technical Lead

Fulton, MD · On-site

$53K - $65K/yr

CHARACTER S/he is a self-aware, spiritually mature disciple as embodied by our five marks ... Reports to: Technical Director * Works Closely with: Technical Arts Staff and Worship Staff ...

Grace Community Church

AV Technical Lead

Fulton, MD · On-site

CHARACTER S/he is a self-aware, spiritually mature disciple as embodied by our five marks ... Reports to: Technical Director * Works Closely with: Technical Arts Staff and Worship Staff ...

Epic Games

Technical Game Director

Cary, NC · On-site

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Technical Game Director to lead a multi-platform systems ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$135K - $142K/yr

The Character Art team is looking for a highly technical and artistic Senior Character Artist to ... Work closely with Leads, Principals and Directors to keep quality and style consistent across all ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$69.09 - $86.35/hr

The Character Art team is looking for a highly technical and artistic Senior Character Artist to ... Work closely with Leads, Principals and Directors to keep quality and style consistent across all ...

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Character Technical Director information

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$26K

$115.5K

$232K

How much do character technical director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for character technical director in the United States is $115,510.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $154,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character technical director?

A Character Technical Director (Character TD) is a specialist in animation and visual effects who is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the technical aspects of character rigs and animation systems. They create the digital skeletons and control interfaces that animators use to bring characters to life in movies, games, or television. Character TDs work closely with modelers and animators to ensure characters move realistically and efficiently. This role requires a blend of artistic understanding and technical expertise, often involving programming and scripting to automate and streamline animation workflows.

How does a character technical director typically collaborate with animators and modelers during production?

A Character Technical Director (TD) works closely with animators and modelers to ensure that character rigs are both artist-friendly and technically robust. During production, a Character TD frequently communicates with modelers to make sure character geometry supports the required deformations for animation. They also partner with animators to gather feedback on rig usability, making adjustments to enhance control and efficiency. This collaborative workflow is essential for addressing technical challenges and delivering high-quality character performances.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character technical director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Technical Director, you need a strong understanding of character rigging, anatomy, scripting (such as Python or MEL), and a degree in computer graphics, animation, or a related field. Expertise with industry-standard 3D software like Maya, Houdini, and proprietary rigging tools is typically required, along with familiarity with game engines or VFX pipelines. Creative problem-solving, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate with animators and modelers make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure the creation of flexible, efficient rigs and seamless character animation workflows essential for high-quality visual productions.

What is the difference between Character Technical Director vs Character Artist?

AspectCharacter Technical DirectorCharacter Artist
Primary FocusTechnical pipeline, rigging, tools developmentConcept art, modeling, texturing
Required SkillsProgramming, rigging, technical problem-solvingArtistic skills, modeling, texturing
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with technical and art teams in game/film studiosPrimarily in art departments, creating visual assets

The Character Technical Director focuses on the technical aspects of character creation, including rigging and pipeline development, while the Character Artist emphasizes creating the visual and artistic elements of characters. Both roles often work closely but serve different functions within the character development process.

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Character Technical Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Technical Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,510 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Technical Director

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Messiah University rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Technical Director is responsible for production oversight and technical support for all Department of Theatre and Dance season productions.

Messiah University's commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission "to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society." The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.

Education Required

Undergraduate degree required

Education Preferred

B. A. in Theatre preferred

Experience Required

Minimum two years of experience in technical direction.

Experience Preferred

Experience in scenery, sound, or lighting design.

Skills, Characteristics Required

Excellent planning and organizational skills 
Ability to effectively supervise student workers and volunteers 
Self-directed; able to work with minimal supervision 
In-depth knowledge of, and experience with, theatre rigging, lighting and sound systems 
Strong written and verbal communication skills 
Ability to interact professionally with on-campus and off-campus parties 
Budgeting expertise

Special Working Conditions

Significant evening and weekend hours as required.

Driving Requirements

Valid driver's license 

Primary Duties

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR 
1. Set and manage all production budgets and schedules. Coordinate the scheduling of rehearsal and performance spaces. 
2. Supervise work study and THEA 115 and THEA 150 students and volunteers. Ensure a safe work environment. 
3. Oversee all technical requirements for productions including all lighting and sound needs. 
4. Administer and supervise production contracts for all students enrolled in Theatre Production Practicum (THEA 115). 
5. In conversation with others, develop and implement a master plan for the upkeep and improvement of all theatre facilities. Include a schedule for preventative maintenance of all equipment. 
6. Manage and maintain scene shop and performance spaces. 
7. Oversee the maintenance and repair of theatrical rigging and sound equipment. Assist resident guest designers in the maintenance, repair and use of stage lighting. 
8. Budget, schedule and oversee the specification, purchase and installation of all theatrical equipment and systems. Prepare and manage equipment rental order and perishable supply purchases. Negotiate and manage relationships with vendors, service providers, renters, etc. 
9. Attend internal training seminars and schedule periodic lighting implementation training. 
10. Apply for and manage production rights. 
11. Maintain consistent and reliable attendance.

Secondary Duties

1. Opportunities to design within Theatre Dance Season 
2. Other duties as assigned

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