Technical Animator - Rigging

Company Overview

Haptix Studio specializes in motion capture, as well as supporting game studios with animation and character design. Founded in 2020, we're known for our quality work, commitment to learning, and top-notch facilities. We're the largest motion capture space in the midwest, and are actively expanding our facilities and network of clients.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Technical Animator/Director with a strong background in rigging for motion capture to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in the animation industry, with a focus on creating realistic and expressive character movements through sophisticated rigging techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage rigs for motion capture applications, ensuring they meet the technical and artistic requirements of the project.
• Work closely with animators and directors to create high-quality animation rigs that align with the creative vision.
• Troubleshoot and refine motion capture data to enhance the realism and effectiveness of character animations.
• Collaborate with the production team to streamline animation workflows and implement best practices in rigging and animation.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in motion capture technology to continually improve our animation quality and efficiency.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of professional experience in technical animation or a related field, with a focus on rigging for motion capture.
• Strong understanding of motion capture processes and technologies, as well as their integration into the animation pipeline.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation and rigging tools (e.g., MotionBuilder, Maya, Blender).
• Ability to Weightpaint and correct deformations quickly and efficiently.
  
• Experience creating rigs for characters of varying proportions, styles, and needs.
• Understanding of virtual bones, helper bones, and blendshapes in the rigging process to minimize collapse of forms
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
• A portfolio showcasing your rigging projects and contributions to animated productions.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and creative team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in directing animation or leading technical animation projects.
• Familiarity with scripting or programming languages relevant to animation and rigging (e.g., Python, MEL).
• Previous work on high-profile game projects.
• Prior experience creating face rigs, quadrupeds, or other unique rigs.
• Familiarity with NgSkinTools or brSmoothWeights tools and workflows

Haptix values teamwork, consistency, expertise, and maintaining a good balance between work and life. We're focused on becoming the go-to motion capture and character creation studio in our region. We support creativity, learning, and collaboration, and love making people move! Together, we'll push boundaries, innovate, and create extraordinary experiences that captivate audiences worldwide. Be part of a team that’s setting new standards in the industry and turn your passion into groundbreaking work.