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Rigging Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay ... Artistic Skills : * Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency. * Ability to adapt to and ...

AGBO Films LLC

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and ...

AGBO

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

Swaybox Studios

Senior CG Lighting Artist

New Orleans, LA · Hybrid

$122K - $146K/yr

The Senior CG Lighting Artist will focus mainly on facial performance replacement with a handoff to ... Understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows. * Basic knowledge of texture mapping ...

KONAMI GAMING INC

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$116K - $139K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

Konami Gaming, Inc

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

Prisms VR

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

As a 3D Artist, you will craft characters, environments, and educational 3D motion graphic ... Rigging and animating characters and props; * Retargeting character animation using mocap data;

New

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Technical Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $163K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Knowledge of asset pipeline concepts such as LOD generation, texture streaming, rigging, import ...

Swaybox Studios

3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

The 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist will focus on tracking environments and character features (such ... Working knowledge of rigging workflows, animation principles, and stylized performance-driven ...

AGBO

Asset Artist (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Experience building Control Rigs or basic rigging for in-engine use. * Familiarity with procedural ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Technical Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $163K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Knowledge of asset pipeline concepts such as LOD generation, texture streaming, rigging, import ...

Swaybox Studios

Senior CG Lighting Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

The Senior CG Lighting Artist will focus mainly on facial performance replacement with a handoff to ... Understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows. * Basic knowledge of texture mapping ...

ARTHREX

OR

$126K - $151K/yr

Requisition ID: 66202 Title: Technical Artist III- UI/UX Main Objective : Assists in the ... rigging/skinning, VFX nodes, UI Design, creating and modifying shaders. Advanced knowledge of ...

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Rigging Artist information

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$11K

$47.8K

$72.5K

How much do rigging artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for rigging artist in the United States is $47,800.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $55,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Rigging Artist, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, 3D modeling, and animation principles, typically supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for this role. These combined skills are crucial for creating robust, animation-ready rigs that ensure seamless character and prop movement in animation or visual effects projects.

What does a Rigging Artist do?

A Rigging Artist is responsible for creating the skeletal frameworks, controls, and deformers that allow 3D characters, objects, and creatures to move believably in animation and visual effects. They design rigs that enable animators to manipulate models efficiently while ensuring realistic movement and flexibility. This involves working with joints, constraints, and skin weights to maintain smooth deformations. Rigging Artists often collaborate with modelers and animators to troubleshoot issues and optimize rigs for performance. Their role is essential in bringing digital characters to life in films, games, and other media.

What are some typical challenges a Rigging Artist faces on a daily basis?

Rigging Artists frequently encounter the challenge of creating complex, adaptable rigs that enable animators to achieve a wide range of expressive movements without encountering technical issues. Balancing efficient rig performance with detailed deformations can require careful planning and lots of iteration. Additionally, Rigging Artists must often collaborate closely with both modelers and animators to ensure that rigs function smoothly within the broader pipeline. Overcoming these challenges requires strong technical skills, creativity, and clear communication to contribute effectively to the production team.

More about Rigging Artist jobs
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Rigging Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rigging Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 14% Temporary. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,800 per year, or $23 per hour.
3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

Side

Remote

$123K - $130K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

About Side
Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.
About This Opportunity
Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.
These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.
As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.
How We Keep You Engaged
We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.
Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.
Next Steps
If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.
Key Responsibilities
  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project's artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements
Experience:
    • 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
    • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:
    • Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
    • Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
    • Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
    • Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills:
    • Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
    • Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills:
    • Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
    • Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.
Preferred Skills
  • Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
  • Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
  • Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.

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