Reel FX Animation Rigging Artist

Rigging Artist: Key Details

• Company: Reel FX Animation

• Location: Montreal, QC (Hybrid: Tuesday – Thursday In-Studio)

• Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent

• Experience Level: Mid-Level (Minimum 2 years of Rigging Artist experience)

• Primary Software: Autodesk Maya (Expertise in Dependency Graph/Utility Nodes)

• Coding Requirements: Python (Must), MEL (Working knowledge), C++ API (Plus)

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree (BA) or equivalent professional experience

• Hiring Priority: Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents

The Opportunity: Become Our Next Rigging Artist

Reel FX Animation is searching for a visionary and technically-proficient Rigging Artist to join our premier studio in Montreal. At Reel FX, we don’t just move models; we breathe life into characters that captivate audiences worldwide.

As a Rigging Artist on our team, you are the vital architect sitting at the intersection of aesthetic beauty and technical functionality.

Under the direct mentorship and supervision of the Rigging Supervisor, the Rigging Artist is responsible for the skeletal structures and deformation systems of characters, vehicles, and props.

We are looking for an individual who views rigging not just as a technical necessity, but as a craft that defines the physical possibilities of a story.

If you possess a deep passion for biomechanics and a mastery of digital puppet-making, this Rigging Artist role is your platform to shine.

Core Responsibilities of the Rigging Artist

The role of a Rigging artists at Reel FX is multifaceted, requiring a blend of artistic intuition and programmatic precision. Your primary duties will include:

• Advanced Asset Setup: As a Senior Artist, you will set up complex characters and props using sophisticated skeletons and deformers. You will ensure that every asset is prepared to handle the rigorous demands of a feature-quality animation pipeline.

• Technical Direction & Pre-Production: You will provide critical technical direction on models before they reach the rigging phase. A proactive  Artist ensures that geometry meets the technical requirements for high-level skinning, preventing bottlenecks later in the production.

• Collaborative Design: You will work in lockstep with the Animation department. A successful Rigging Artist designs rigs that allow for the full range of motion and nuanced acting required by the script, ensuring the control structures are logical, intuitive, and easy for animators to manipulate.

• Pipeline Innovation: Communication is key. You will regularly discuss the need for custom tools and scripts with the Rigging Supervisor and Technical Directors. As an Artist, you will assist in the planning and development of these tools to streamline the studio’s workflow.

• Performance Optimization: You will be responsible for creating rigs that are not only expressive but also optimized for real-time interaction, allowing animators to work efficiently without technical lag.

Required Qualifications for the Rigging Artist

To excel as a Rigging Artist at Reel FX, candidates should meet the following educational and professional criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree (BA) from an accredited four-year college or university in Animation, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Industry Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience as a Rigging Artist (or equivalent) in a professional studio environment.

• Software Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of Autodesk Maya is essential. You must demonstrate a profound understanding of the Maya dependency graph and the application of utility nodes.

• Scripting Skills: Proficiency in Python is a mandatory requirement for any modern Rigging Artist. A working knowledge of MEL is also required. Candidates who understand the C++ API will have a distinct competitive advantage.

• Biological Understanding: A strong grasp of human and animal form, including deep knowledge of biomechanics, is vital for a Rigging Artist to create believable deformations.

• The Animator’s Perspective: You must possess a general understanding of the principles of animation. We need a Rigging Artist who can “think like an animator” to anticipate how a rig needs to move and perform under pressure.

Work Environment & Culture

Joining Reel FX as a Rigging Artist means joining a community of creators. We are excited to be back in our Montreal studio from Tuesday through Thursday, fostering a hybrid environment that balances the creative energy of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of modern work-life balance.

As a Rigging Artist, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, technical excellence, and the relentless pursuit of great storytelling. We prioritize Canadian citizens and permanent residents for this role, ensuring our Montreal studio remains a hub for local and national talent.

Apply to Join the Team

If you are a Rigging Artist who is ready to tackle the challenges of feature-level character setup and tool development, we invite you to apply. Please provide a portfolio or demo reel that showcases your technical range, specifically highlighting your skinning capabilities, control rig logic, and any custom scripting tools you have developed.

Reel FX is an equal opportunity employer. While we thank all applicants for their interest in the Rigging Artist position, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Professional references may be requested during the vetting process.