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Temporary Animation Rigging Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

... quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation ... Please note that not all benefits shown on this page are applicable to this temporary position.

... temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a ... Thorough knowledge of Maya and other animation software. Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging ...

... temporary assignment. The candidate must be passionate about making great games, and must be a ... Thorough knowledge of Maya and other animation software. Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging ...

Temporary Animation Rigging information

What is temporary animation rigging?

Temporary animation rigging refers to the process of creating provisional rigs for animated characters or objects, primarily for testing animation, blocking scenes, or prototyping before the final, detailed rig is developed. These rigs allow animators to quickly manipulate models to visualize motion and timing without the complexity of a finished rig. Temporary rigs help identify issues early and speed up the animation workflow, but they may lack advanced controls or deformation features found in final rigs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary animation rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Temporary Animation Rigger, you need expertise in character rigging, a solid understanding of anatomy and movement, and experience with 3D animation software, often supported by a degree or coursework in animation or computer graphics. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, scripting languages (such as Python or MEL), and familiarity with version control systems is typically required. Problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication help you collaborate with animators and adjust quickly to project needs. These competencies ensure you can create functional, efficient rigs that support animation pipelines and meet production deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced in a temporary animation rigging role, and how can they be managed effectively?

Temporary animation riggers often face the challenge of quickly adapting to different pipelines and project requirements within tight deadlines. Since contracts are short-term, there is limited time to become familiar with studio-specific tools or character specifications. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to maintain strong communication with animators and technical directors, thoroughly review provided documentation, and be proactive in asking questions early on. Developing a flexible workflow and staying updated on industry-standard rigging techniques also ensures smoother transitions between projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Rigging jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animation Rigging jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Temporary Animation Rigging jobs?

Cities in California with the most Temporary Animation Rigging job openings:

Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Big Shot Pictures

Big Shot Pictures is a next generation animation company founded by Brian Robbins that produces the franchises of tomorrow. With a distinctive digital-first approach, the company builds global animation franchises across all platforms – from digital to theatrical, gaming to streaming, and consumer products to experiences.



About The Rol

eWe are seeking a Technical Animator to support and scale our Unreal Engine–first, real-time character and animation pipeline. This role operates at the intersection of animation, rigging, tools development, and engine integration, and is critical to ensuring characters and animation assets move efficiently from DCC tools into Unreal Engine. The ideal candidate is highly technical, production-minded, and passionate about building reliable, scalable animation systems


.

This role will support the development of stylized, high-quality content for kids and family audiences, requiring a strong sense of performance, appeal, and character storytelling.


This is a temporary role which would report in-person at our studio in Los Angeles.


Responsibilities

  • Build, skin, and maintain character rigs in Unreal Engine or DCC packages such as Blender
  • Implement, maintain, and iterate on rigs using Unreal Engine Control
  • RigSupport and evolve the MetaHuman pipeline, including setup, iteration, and engine integration.
  • Organize, manage, and optimize large sets of animation and character data across multiple projects.
  • Manage assets for efficient sharing, versioning, and real-time performance optimization.
  • Collaborate closely with animators, character artists, and technical artists to solve pipeline and production challenges.
  • Ensure clean, reliable integration of skeletal meshes and animation data in Unreal Engine.


Required Qualifications

  • Proven experience skinning and rigging characters in a DCC package.
  • Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine Control Rig in production.
  • Strong understanding of asset organization, data management, and pipeline best practices.
  • Experience managing and optimizing animation assets for real-time production.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine MetaHuman workflows.
  • Experience building animation or rigging tools in DCC packages.
  • Ability to write and maintain tools using Python.


Nice to Have:

  • Experience working with motion capture systems and performance capture data.
  • Experience exporting, troubleshooting, and debugging skeletal and animation data in real-time engines.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine Blueprints.
  • Experience supporting across a wide range of styles, with an emphasis on stylized and appealing performance for kids and family content.
  • Interest in emerging tools and workflows that improve efficiency, iteration, and scalability.