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Freelance 3D Rigging Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA · On-site

Stay current on emerging hardware, software and workflows in 3D, animation, and digital content ... rigging, animation, simulation, real-time, or CAD Primary artistic capability in pen-and-tablet or ...

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA

$142K - $263K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Stay current on emerging hardware, software and workflows in 3D, animation, and digital content ... rigging, animation, simulation, real-time, or CAD Primary artistic capability in pen-and-tablet or ...

Roblox

Senior Software Engineer, UValidation

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

... 3D geometry, avatar schema compliance, rigging structures, and asset metadata. * Enforce ... Work across the avatar stack, collaborating with engineers, product owners, and artists to ...

New

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Senior Pipeline Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$113K - $155K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... artist-friendly tools and systems that power our 3D production workflows. This role combines ... Develop automation tools that accelerate workflows such as rigging, asset processing, and data ...

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Freelance 3D Rigging Artist information

What is a freelance 3D rigging artist?

A Freelance 3D Rigging Artist is a professional who specializes in creating the skeletal frameworks (rigs) that allow 3D models to move realistically in animation and visual effects projects. They work independently on a contract basis for various clients, such as animation studios, game developers, or advertising agencies. Their main responsibilities include designing and implementing rigs for characters, creatures, or objects, ensuring they are ready for animators to bring to life. Freelance rigging artists need strong technical skills in 3D software like Maya or Blender, as well as a solid understanding of anatomy and motion.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a freelance 3D rigging artist?

To thrive as a Freelance 3D Rigging Artist, you need expertise in character rigging, a solid understanding of anatomy and movement, and proficiency with industry-standard 3D software such as Maya or Blender. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python or MEL and experience using rigging toolsets are highly advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and adaptability help you collaborate with clients and other artists remotely. These skills ensure you can deliver flexible, high-quality rigs that meet project requirements and deadlines in a competitive freelance market.

What are common challenges faced by freelance 3D rigging artists when collaborating remotely with animation teams?

Freelance 3D rigging artists often face challenges such as ensuring compatibility with the team's animation pipeline, maintaining clear communication about rig requirements, and adapting to various software preferences. Since much of the work is done remotely, staying aligned on project updates and feedback can require extra attention to detail and proactive communication. Building strong documentation and using shared project management tools can help overcome these challenges and ensure seamless collaboration with animators and other team members.

Are freelance 3D rigging artists in high demand?

Freelance 3D rigging artists are in growing demand due to the expanding use of 3D animation in gaming, film, and virtual production. Skills in popular software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, along with a strong portfolio, can improve job prospects in this competitive field.

How do I get into a freelance 3D rigging artist career?

To become a freelance 3D rigging artist, develop strong skills in 3D modeling and rigging using software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max. Build a portfolio showcasing your work, gain experience through personal projects or internships, and establish an online presence on platforms like ArtStation or Behance to attract clients.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California?

The most popular types of 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California?

For Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Freelance 3D Rigging Artist job openings:

Freelance 3D Rigging Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance 3D Rigging Artist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Apple

Culver City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. The diversity of those people and their ideas inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Are you up for the challenge?
Pro Workflow (PWF) team, within Apple's Hardware Engineering organization, joins creative domain experts with computer system architects to drive innovation and deliver astounding new features to iPhone, iPad, and Mac. From beginners learning the basics of digital creativity through professional facilities, PWF is dedicated to elevating and accelerating the creative capabilities of our customers by understanding how the most demanding creative customers use our products, and leveraging those insights to build better products for everyone.
The Pro Workflow team exemplifies Apple's position at the intersection of technology and the liberal arts. We look forward to your contributions to help shape the future of creativity.
Come join us!
Description
Collaborate with System Architects to identify creative use cases that are impacted by hardware performance.
Work individually and collaboratively on research and development of new creative capabilities for Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
Help establish and validate performance targets for future hardware.
Lead cross-functional efforts to improve performance and bring new features to Apple products.
Set creative and technical direction and mentor others as a senior voice within and beyond the team.
Stay current on emerging hardware, software and workflows in 3D, animation, and digital content creation.
Create presentation materials and regularly present status reports and project outcomes to peers and executive leadership.
Build technical relationships with key external developers and strategic customers.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum 3 years of industry experience
Compelling body of work demonstrating 3D capability in a creative or design discipline. This can be rooted in motion imaging, for example visual effects, animation, illustration, or design, architecture, fashion, fine art, or academic work
Fluent, hands-on command of 3D applications with expertise in more than one sub-discipline, for example modeling, sculpting, texturing, look development, lighting, shading, rigging, animation, simulation, real-time, or CAD
Primary artistic capability in pen-and-tablet or pen-and-touch workflows
Track record of inventing or adopting new techniques, tools, or workflows and bringing them into creative or design practice
Experience in debugging and resolving workflow issues independently, within a team, and as a beta tester generating actionable feedback.
Preferred Qualifications
Public practice as a teacher in academia, streaming, or publishing is good to have
Experience building an audience on social platforms
Experience as a Lead or Manager, guiding creative teams, setting direction, and developing others is a plus.
An attitude of continuous learning and expanding knowledge and capability in core expertise and adjacent areas
Ability to maintain and prioritize multiple projects across multi-year timelines.
Skilled at articulating creative and design needs in technical terms and tailoring information to fit the audience.
Comfortable engaging with third-party developers and customers.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

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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