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Remote 2D Animation Rigging Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Remote - US and Canada only thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly ... Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ...

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Remote 2D Animation Rigging information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$40

$72

How much do remote 2d animation rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote 2d animation rigging in Chicago, IL is $40.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.55 and $65.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote 2D Animation Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote 2D Animation Rigger, you need a strong grasp of animation principles, character rigging techniques, and proficiency in 2D animation software, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with tools such as Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, and rigging plugins is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills help set candidates apart in remote environments. These competencies are crucial for creating flexible, high-quality rigs that streamline the animation process and ensure seamless team workflows.

What are some common challenges faced by remote 2D animation rigging artists, and how can they be addressed?

Remote 2D animation rigging artists often encounter challenges related to communication and collaboration, since they work apart from the rest of the production team. Clear documentation, regular video meetings, and the use of collaborative platforms like Slack or ShotGrid can help bridge gaps and ensure everyone is aligned on rigging requirements and feedback. Additionally, managing different software versions and ensuring compatibility across team members' setups is crucial; version control tools and standardized workflows can mitigate technical issues. Staying organized and responsive to feedback also helps maintain productivity and the quality of rigged assets.

What is remote 2D animation rigging?

Remote 2D animation rigging is the process of creating digital skeletons or control structures for 2D characters and objects, allowing them to move realistically in animations. This work is done remotely, meaning riggers collaborate with animation teams from different locations using specialized software. Rigging is essential for animators, as it provides the underlying framework that makes character movements smooth and expressive. Remote rigging roles often require strong technical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in animation software such as Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe After Effects.

What is the difference between Remote 2D Animation Rigging vs Remote 2D Animation Design?

AspectRemote 2D Animation RiggingRemote 2D Animation Design
Primary FocusCreating and setting up character rigs for animationDesigning and illustrating characters and scenes for animation
Skills RequiredRigging techniques, anatomy, software like Spine or Toon BoomDrawing, storyboarding, color theory
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, freelance, remote teamsAnimation studios, freelance, remote teams
CredentialsAnimation or rigging courses, portfolio demonstrating rigging skillsArt or animation degrees, portfolio of character designs

Remote 2D Animation Rigging focuses on building the underlying structures for characters to animate smoothly, while Remote 2D Animation Design emphasizes creating the visual elements and storytelling through character and scene design. Both roles often work remotely within animation studios or freelance settings, but they require different skill sets and credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL? For Remote 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Remote 2D Animation Rigging jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Remote 2D Animation Rigging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote 2D Animation Rigging job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,445 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$130.90K - $156.70K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Remote – US and Canada only

thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them.

We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.

Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide. If you’ve been wanting to have a positive impact on people's lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together.

Major Responsibilities

  • Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch
  • Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation and general art to support as the need arises.
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX, and material tests.
  • Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to help build and maintain a high-performance art pipeline from creation to final package delivery.
  • Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and technical art implementation.
  • Optimizing art content for performance.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Working in our proprietary engine, help to establish our material and vfx pipelines.
  • Document workflows and best practices for materials and vfx

Must-Haves

  • A good understanding of shaders (HLSL and/or GLSL) and ideally able to handle supporting c++ code for those prototypes or tools if required
  • Solid experience working with shader, materials and vfx in an industry standard or proprietary game engine
  • Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from concept to completion
  • Solid experience profiling and optimizing shaders and vfx on multiple platforms
  • 3-5 or more years experience as a Technical Artist
  • Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines
  • Proven experience building tools for modern art pipeline with a solid understanding of game engine scripting (ex. Unity, Unreal, Proprietary Engine)
  • Portfolio demonstrating the technical artistic ability, with a focus on custom shaders and vfx
  • Self-motivated and diligent, with established habits for tracking one’s own tasks and seeking out answers when needed

Nice to Haves

  • Writing c++ code would be a plus
  • Knowing Mel, Python, Lua, C++, is a plus
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, including character and environment systems
  • Strong communication skills and a positive and professional attitude
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in Computer Science, 3D graphics, or related field
  • Experience working with offsite art and programming teams

Perks:

  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
  • Pre-tax wellness stipend
  • Pre-tax work from home stipend
  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA)
  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services
  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
  • Support for personal professional development

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