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Remote Animation Rigging Jobs in Hayward, CA (NOW HIRING)

2K

Principal Character Technical Artist

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $198K/yr

Establish and own the technical standards for character rigging, technical animation, and dynamic ... The position is for an existing vacancy. #LI-Remote #LI-Onsite #LI-Hybrid

Hidden Acorn

3D Character Artist in Unreal

Redwood City, CA · On-site +1

$148K - $155K/yr

Rigging and/or animation experience * Experience designing within a faction or faction system ... Remote-friendly * Competitive compensation based on experience Please email your resume and ...

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See Hayward, CA salary details

$12

$45

$80

How much do remote animation rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote animation rigging in Hayward, CA is $45.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.10 and $73.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges of working remotely as an animation rigger, and how can I overcome them?

Working remotely as an animation rigger can present challenges such as coordinating with animation and modeling teams across different time zones and ensuring clear communication about rig functionality and technical constraints. To overcome these challenges, it's important to establish regular check-ins, utilize collaborative tools like Slack or project management platforms, and provide thorough documentation for your rigs. You may also need to adapt your workflow to accommodate feedback and file sharing in a distributed team environment. By staying organized, proactive, and communicative, you can maintain productivity and build strong working relationships, even when collaborating from afar.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Remote Animation Rigging position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Animation Rigging specialist, you need a solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, advanced knowledge of rigging principles, and experience with 3D animation software such as Maya or Blender. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python or MEL and proficiency with industry-standard rigging tools are highly valued, and formal training in animation or computer graphics is often preferred. Excellent problem-solving skills, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a virtual team environment help set candidates apart. These skills are vital for creating functional, expressive rigs that drive animation quality while ensuring smooth collaboration and project delivery in a remote work setting.

What is a Remote Animation Rigging job?

A Remote Animation Rigging job involves creating digital skeletons and control systems for animated characters or objects while working from a remote location. Rigging artists ensure that models can move naturally by setting up joints, constraints, and deformers, often using software like Maya or Blender. They collaborate with animators and modelers to refine rigs for smooth animation. This role requires strong technical skills in scripting and problem-solving to optimize performance and realism.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Animation Rigging jobs in Hayward, CA? For Remote Animation Rigging jobs in Hayward, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Remote Animation Rigging jobs near you
Principal Character Technical Artist

Principal Character Technical Artist

2K

San Mateo, CA • On-site, Remote

$133K - $198K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who we are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

Characters are the heart of our free-to-play AAA multiplayer action game and the core driver of our economy. Because of this, the Principal Character Technical Artist  is one of the most vital roles in our studio. You will use your mastery of DCC applications, Unreal Engine 5, rigging, and complex character and animation pipelines to actively expand the creative decision space for our playable characters. Your technical foresight will directly inform the design process, inspiring the creative leadership with what we are truly capable of building.

What You'll Do: 

  • Creative Partnership & Strategy: Partner with Pillar teams to shape feature development. Identify technical risks early, propose innovative solutions that elevate core mechanics, and provide strategic estimates to guide R&D investments. 
  • Technical Innovation & Fidelity: Establish and own the technical standards for character rigging, technical animation, and dynamic presentation (cloth, hair, physics) in UE5. Actively prototype cutting-edge solutions to ensure our champions compete with the industry's state of the art. 
  • Pipeline Architecture & Tooling: Maintain and extend a rich and performant character pipeline from DCC applications into Unreal Engine. Develop procedural tooling that maximizes content creation efficiency and empowers cross-discipline artists across our US and Valencia studios.
  • Performance & Optimization: Establish technical budgets and performance benchmarks. Ensure high visual fidelity is balanced with optimal runtime performance for a live multiplayer environment. Work with Engineering to ensure character animation systems scale across platform targets.
  • Mentorship & Leadership: Guide, deploy, and mentor a team of character technical artists. Elevate their technical skills and foster a culture of creative problem-solving.

What Will Make You A Great Fit:

  • Experience: 8+ years of game development experience, with at least 3 years in a Senior or Principal Technical Artist role on a shipped AAA title.
  • Engine Mastery: Deep expertise in Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprints, Control Rig, Niagara, and physics/cloth simulation.
  • DCC & Scripting: Expert proficiency in standard DCCs (Maya, Blender, Houdini) and strong scripting skills (Python, C++, or VEX) for tool and pipeline development.
  • Specialization: Exceptional understanding of human anatomy, facial/skeletal rigging, weight painting, and procedural animation techniques.
  • Bonus: Experience working on live-service, free-to-play, or multiplayer action games.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $133,400 and $198,000 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

#LI-Remote 
#LI-Onsite
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