Rigging Artist job overview Digital Domain, a global leader in Academy Award-winning visual effects, animation, and immersive experiences, is officially expanding its core creative team at our state-of-the-art studio facility in Hyderabad, India.
We are currently seeking highly accomplished, technically proficient, and creatively driven Senior Rigging Artists to spearhead the development of advanced character, creature, and vehicular assets. This role is designed for industry veterans who excel at bridging the gap between complex technical architecture and artistic expression, ensuring our animation pipelines remain at the absolute forefront of global cinematic production.
Rigger 3D job.
Job Overview: Rigging Artist
| Category | Specification & Details |
| Company Name | Digital Domain (Hyderabad Studio) |
| Job Title | Senior Rigging Artist |
| Job Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana, India (In-Studio / Hybrid options available based on project needs) |
| Department | Character Rigging & Technical Animation Pipeline |
| Experience Level | Senior / Lead (Minimum 6+ years of VFX, Feature Animation, or AAA Gaming experience) |
| Relocation Support | Comprehensive relocation assistance packages available for eligible domestic and international candidates |
Role & Responsibilities as Rigging Artist Job
As a Senior Rigging Artist at Digital Domain, your daily workflow will extend far beyond basic joint placement. You will be an architect of movement, designing robust systems capable of executing complex deformations under intense production scrutiny.
1. Asset Architecture & Deformations
- Design, author, and maintain highly complex deformation rigs for organic characters, photo-realistic creatures, intricate mechanical assets, and environmental props within Maya.
- Implement advanced anatomical modeling principles, utilizing custom blendshapes, muscle systems, and corrective shapes to preserve volume and realism across extreme ranges of motion.
- Collaborate closely with the Modeling and Assets department to ensure topology meets optimal edge-flow requirements for dynamic deformation and articulation.
2. Pipeline Integration & Tool Development
- Develop, test, and deploy modular rigging scripts, automation tools, and custom plugins utilizing Python and PyMel/Maya commands (cmds) to streamline the character setup pipeline.
- Integrate rigging data seamlessly with downstream departments, specifically Animation, Crowd Simulation, and Technical Animation (Cloth/Hair/Flesh simulation).
- Author clean, scalable, and well-documented code bases to contribute to the studio’s global proprietary rigging framework.
3. Collaboration & Cross-Project Leadership
- Partner with Animation Directors and Supervisors to analyze storyboard requirements and deliver tailored control interfaces that maximize animator performance and efficiency.
- Troubleshoot complex technical anomalies within scene files, asset hierarchies, and internal rendering pipelines under tight production schedules.
- Mentor, train, and guide junior to mid-level rigging artists, fostering an environment of continuous technical learning and creative growth within the Hyderabad team.
Required Qualifications & Technical Skillset
Digital Domain look for candidates who exhibit a harmonious balance between refined artistic intuition and rigorous mathematical/technical discipline.
Minimum Professional Requirements
- Proven Track Record: Minimum of 6 years of experience working as a rigger within a prominent Visual Effects (VFX), feature-length animation, or AAA cinematic gaming studio environment.
- Cinematic Credential: A comprehensive portfolio or showreel showcasing a diverse array of completed rigs, detailed breakdown turnarounds, script UI demonstrations, and deformation tests (muscle, skin, cloth interactions).
- Software Mastery: Expert-level command over Autodesk Maya. Proficient familiarity with alternative platforms (e.g., SideFX Houdini, Unreal Engine) is a massive advantage.
Deep Technical Proficiency
[Technical Matrix]
├── Programming Languages : Python (Advanced), PySide/PyQt, Mel Scripting, C++ (Bonus)
├── Mathematical Foundations: Linear Algebra, Vector Mathematics, Trigonometry
├── Core Techniques : IK/FK Systems, Matrix-based Rigging, Modular Rigging Systems
└── Production Specialisms: Facial Rigging (FACS-based), Anatomy, Corrective Sculpting
Preferred & Advanced Specializations
While not mandatory, candidates possessing the following secondary skillsets will be given high priority during the selection pipeline:
- Facial Rigging Specialists: Deep understanding of the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) to generate exceptionally expressive, highly nuanced facial performance rigs for digital humans.
- Simulation & Physics: Practical experience setting up dynamic node-based simulation systems for secondary motions (e.g., jiggle, belly fat, custom dynamic ropes, or cables).
- Real-Time Integration: Knowledge of importing, optimizing, and driving complex rigging assets within real-time engines such as Unreal Engine 5 via Control Rig or Live Link.
Corporate Benefits & Work Environment
Digital Domain believes that peak creative output stems from a well-supported, healthy, and progressive workplace ecosystem. Joining our Hyderabad studio grants you access to an industry-leading employee wellness framework.
- Holistic Health Coverage: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans tailored for you and your immediate dependents.
- Continuous Education & Training: Sponsored access to advanced technical courses, internal masterclasses hosted by global VFX supervisors, and regular technical workshops.
- Ergonomic Workspace Architecture: Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, including high-end localized workstations, dual-monitor configurations, Wacom displays, and custom-tailored ergonomic seating.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous annual leave structure, encompassing casual leave, sick leave, parental leave, and a designated winter studio shutdown block.
- Vibrant Studio Culture: Regular team-building activities, movie screening nights celebrating our project releases, and a collaborative, inclusive multi-cultural work environment.
Application and Evaluation Workflow
Digital Domain follows an objective, multi-stage assessment process to ensure mutual alignment of technical skill and cultural fit.[Application Submission] ──> [Portfolio & Reel Review] ──> [Technical Interview & Live Code/Rig Breakdown] ──> [Leadership Interview] ──> [Formal Offer]
Critical Application Guidelines ::
Showreel Visibility: Please ensure your showreel link is active, hosted on a reliable platform (Vimeo, YouTube, or SyncSketch), and includes an explicit, written breakdown document outlining exactly what elements you built, scripted, or modeled.
Code Samples: Providing a link to a clean, public repository (GitHub/GitLab) demonstrating modular Python rigging tools or UI frameworks you have authored is highly encouraged.
How to Connect:
If you are ready to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, elevate your career parameters, and leave an indelible mark on cinematic history, we invite you to submit your candidature.
Please forward your updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), portfolio link, and compensation expectations to our regional acquisition desk at careers.hyd@d2.com with the explicit subject line format: [Application: Senior Rigging Artist - Hyderabad - Your Name].
