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Maya Character Rigger 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 ...

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 ...

Absurd Ventures

Character Technical Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Support and maintain character pipelines spanning modeling, rigging, skinning, deformation, and ... Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Maya and familiarity with Motion Builder, ZBrush ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Expert-level Maya skills - rigging, skinning, deformers, and Python/MEL scripting * HLSL shader authoring experience focused on skin, hair, and other character materials * Deep understanding of PBR ...

COGSWELL COLLEGE LLC

Adjunct Faculty DAA

San Jose, CA · On-site

$3.0K - $4.5K/mo

Character Rigging - emphasis on character rigging techniques: joints, surface binding, articulation ... Experience working with Maya software for animation, modeling, rigging, or lighting of content in ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ... quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation ...

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Maya Character Rigger information

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$13

$25

$36

How much do maya character rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for maya character rigger in California is $25.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Maya character riggers, and how can I prepare for them?

Maya Character Riggers often encounter challenges such as creating complex rigs that allow for natural movement while maintaining ease of use for animators and meeting tight production deadlines. Working with diverse character models and troubleshooting deformation issues can also require both technical expertise and creative problem-solving. To prepare, it's helpful to build a strong foundation in anatomy and rigging techniques, stay current with the latest Maya tools and scripting, and develop good communication skills for collaborating with animators, modelers, and technical directors. Actively seeking feedback and practicing on personal or open-source projects can also help you adapt to the varied needs of professional production pipelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Maya character rigger?

To thrive as a Maya Character Rigger, you need a strong background in 3D rigging, anatomy, and deformation techniques, typically supported by experience with Autodesk Maya and a related degree or training in animation or computer graphics. Expertise in Maya’s rigging tools, scripting languages like MEL or Python, and familiarity with pipeline integration are highly valued. Problem-solving, creativity, and strong communication skills help you collaborate effectively with animators and modelers. These abilities enable the creation of reliable, flexible rigs that ensure high-quality character animation in fast-paced production environments.

What is a Maya character rigger?

A Maya Character Rigger is responsible for creating the skeletal structures, control rigs, and deformations that allow 3D characters to move naturally in animations, films, and games. They work closely with modelers and animators to ensure characters are both functional and expressive. This involves setting up joints, skinning, and developing custom rigging tools using MEL or Python. A rigger must have a strong understanding of anatomy, mechanics, and technical problem-solving. Their work ensures that characters can perform complex movements while maintaining believable deformations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Maya Character Rigger jobs in California? The most popular types of Maya Character Rigger jobs in California are:
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Maya Character Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Maya Character Rigger job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Internship, and 80% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,405 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Account Manager

Carlost Inc.

Burlingame, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

High Moon Studios is seeking a talented and self-directed Technical Animator who can join for a 12-month temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a strong problem-solver and effective communicator.
Responsibilities:
Creation of prototype and production animation content.
Work with the animation lead on tool, system and game play prototypes.
Collaborate with the Tech Art Team in the development tools that support the animation pipeline.
Collaborate with Design, Engineering in the development of in-game animation systems.
Troubleshoot and consistently present solutions to technical issues related to animations.
Roll out production ready rigs/tools/ systems to the animation team.
Provide desk side support for the animation team - helping to resolve technical issues.
Meets project deadlines / milestones, as set by Project Leads.
Requirements:
Exceptional communication and organizational skills.
Must have the desire to create great games.
Understanding of animation principals which can be clearly displayed in your demo reel.
Thorough knowledge of Maya and other animation software.
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 C#.
Experience working with game engine animation systems.
Good knowledge of Motion Capture techniques.
Bonus Qualifications:
Solid understanding of human and animal anatomy.
Scripting in MEL.
About Us
World class games start with world class talent. This is a unique time in Activision’s history – and one of the most exciting opportunities to join us

Activision Blizzard, headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, is the premier worldwide publisher of interactive entertainment software like Call of Duty, Destiny and the Blizzard Entertainment Franchises.
High Moon Studios
Founded in 2002, High Moon Studios is an award-winning studio that’s developed for blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty and Transformers. We are 100 people strong, located in the always-sunny beachside city of Carlsbad, California.
Our goal is simple: make game experiences that kick ass and blow minds

High Moon Studios is led by award winning veterans and a crack production staff that have over 200 years of combined development experience. We work hard. We play hard.

It’s time to add world class talent as we partner with Bungie to work on their ground-breaking Destiny Franchise.Employment Type: Full-Time

Apply