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Home Based Animation Rigging Jobs in Oakland, CA

Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an ... This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. In addition ...

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an ... This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. In addition ...

Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. * Self-motivated, an ... This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. In addition ...

Proficiency in FACS-based facial animation (Facial Action Coding System) or equivalent high-quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation production and ...

Animation Systems Programmer

Larkspur, CA ยท On-site

$167K - $245K/yr

Experience with rigging systems, animation state machines, low-level animation systems, physics-based, procedural, and/or IK animation systems * Experience with multi-threaded programming and system ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

... animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

... animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

... animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

... animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping ... An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the ...

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

Proficiency in FACS-based facial animation (Facial Action Coding System) or equivalent high-quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation production and ...

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA ยท Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

Prisms VR is a San Francisco-based team of educators, game developers, and engineers transforming ... Rigging and animating characters and props; * Retargeting character animation using mocap data;

Senior Software Engineer, UGC Validation

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

... based exploits, and programmatically measure asset quality. In this role, you will serve as a core ... Solid understanding of avatar schema compliance, rigging, skinning weights, and animation ...

Bolt Graphics is a semiconductor startup based in Sunnyvale, CA building the fastest and most ... Craft an engaging story that leverages stylized animation to convey important adult themes

Senior Software Engineer, UGC Validation

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

... based exploits, and programmatically measure asset quality. In this role, you will serve as a core ... Solid understanding of avatar schema compliance, rigging, skinning weights, and animation ...

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Home Based Animation Rigging information

See Oakland, CA salary details

$16

$29

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How much do home based animation rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for home based animation rigging in Oakland, CA is $29.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.49 and $34.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is home based animation rigging?

Home based animation rigging involves creating and configuring the skeletal structures (rigs) that allow digital characters or objects to move realistically, all from a remote or home office setting. Rigging artists use specialized software to build control systems for animators, ensuring characters can be posed or animated efficiently. This work is essential in 3D animation, gaming, and visual effects industries. Working from home offers flexibility but also requires strong communication skills and self-discipline to collaborate effectively with other remote team members.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a home based animation rigger?

To thrive as a Home Based Animation Rigger, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and animation principles, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial for collaborating remotely and meeting creative challenges. Mastering these skills ensures high-quality, flexible rigs that enable animators to create expressive and believable characters efficiently in a remote work environment.

How do home based animation riggers typically collaborate with remote teams and animators?

Home-based animation rigging artists often work closely with remote teams using project management platforms, cloud-based file sharing, and regular video meetings. Clear communication is essential, as riggers must ensure their work aligns with the needs of animators and the overall production schedule. Most teams rely on shared documentation and feedback loops to address issues quickly, and riggers may be asked to troubleshoot or adjust rigs based on real-time animator input. Building strong virtual relationships and being proactive in communication can help overcome the challenges of working remotely in this collaborative field.

What is the difference between Home Based Animation Rigging vs Remote Animation Rigging?

AspectHome Based Animation RiggingRemote Animation Rigging
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant animation and rigging skills, possibly certificationsSame as home based; portfolio and skills prioritized
Work EnvironmentHome office, personal setupAny location with internet access, often home or co-working spaces
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance, independent studios, remote job postingsGlobal animation studios, remote job listings
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for flexible, home-based rigging rolesSeeking remote rigging jobs across locations

Both roles involve creating character rigs for animation, requiring similar skills and credentials. The main difference lies in the work environment: home based riggers work primarily from their personal space, while remote riggers may work from various locations. Both are common in the animation industry, especially with the rise of remote work opportunities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Rigging jobs in Oakland, CA?

The most popular types of Animation Rigging jobs in Oakland, CA are:

What cities near Oakland, CA are hiring for Home Based Animation Rigging jobs?

Cities near Oakland, CA with the most Home Based Animation Rigging job openings:

Intern - Animator and Rigging Artist

Human Computer Lab

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Internship

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Human Computer Lab is a research lab building character robots that feel alive and responsive. Our first robot, LeLamp, explores a new category of consumer robotics where everyday objects become interactive and help us reshape our attachment to technology.
Our goal is to push the frontier of human-robot interaction by making technology more legible, emotionally intuitive, and human-centered. We are building the foundation for a new generation of robots designed for everyday environments.
What to expect
We're looking for a technical animator to rig LeLamp, our first robot, and own the animation pipeline that brings it to life on physical hardware people will actually live with. This role sits at an unusual intersection: the technical depth to build a rig that maps onto real joint constraints and actuator limits, and the creative sensibility to design motion that feels intentional and warm, shaping whether the robot comes across as alive or mechanical. You'll work closely with the CEO and engineers to translate design intent into motion that runs on the robot itself, not just in a viewport.
In this role, you will:
  • Build and maintain the robot rig, defining joint hierarchies, constraints, and control structures aligned with hardware limits
  • Design and animate behaviors including idle motion, reactions, transitions, gestures, and interaction sequences
  • Work with controls and firmware engineers to translate animation intent into real robot motion
  • Stay aligned with mechanical updates and maintain the rig as the platform evolves
  • Maintain a URDF-compatible or simulation-ready representation of the robot
  • Help define the robot's motion language and expressive vocabulary
  • Build internal tools, workflows, and documentation for the animation pipeline
  • Evaluate animations on physical hardware and iterate until intent translates reliably

You may be a good fit if you:
  • Have professional experience as a technical animator or rigger with a strong rigging and animation portfolio
  • Are fluent in Maya, Blender, or similar DCC tools and can build production-quality rigs from scratch
  • Understand animation principles such as timing, weight, anticipation, and follow-through
  • Have experience rigging mechanical or non-organic subjects with real-world constraints
  • Have strong intuition for what makes motion feel alive rather than mechanical
  • Are comfortable building pipelines in environments where they don't yet exist
  • Have experience animating robots, mechanical characters, or non-humanoid subjects
  • Have exposure to procedural animation, motion graphs, or behavior trees
  • Are familiar with URDF, ROS, or simulators such as Gazebo, MuJoCo, or Isaac Sim
  • Have experience working in Unity, Unreal, or other real-time animation environments
  • Have experience collaborating with engineering teams on hardware or robotics projects

You will be a strong fit, if you:
  • Care deeply about motion as a form of communication
  • See constraints like joint limits and actuator bandwidth as part of the creative process
  • Take ownership of the robot's motion language from keyframe to hardware execution
  • Work well in small, collaborative teams across animation, engineering, and design
  • Want to create motion for a physical object that lives in someone's home, not just on a screen

The early team becomes the DNA of the company. We set ourselves and others to a high standard, and we respond with kindness when things get hard but keep everyone accountable. This requires us to be curious, creative, and diverse in our thinking and approach.
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria - we don't want that to be the reason we miss out on great talent.