Senior Rigging Artist

Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series and Stranger Things animated series, as well as our production Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan. 

Please be aware that for this specific role, having a valid work permit for Spain/Europe is a requirement.

We’re looking for a highly skilled Rigging Artist with expertise in creating advanced animation control and rigging systems for complex characters, creatures, and props in Maya. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with supervisors and cross-department teams to develop robust technical solutions, optimize workflows, and ensure seamless pipeline integration. This role involves leading rigging efforts, providing mentorship to junior artists, and contributing to the ongoing improvement of tools, documentation, and production processes.

About the role:

Create advanced animation control rigging systems for complex characters, creatures, and props in Maya, ensuring they meet the artistic and technical briefs from supervisors and leads.

Demonstrate expert-level understanding of rigging controls, deformations, and character setup across a variety of styles and project requirements.

Collaborate closely with the Rigging Supervisor, CG Supervisor, Animation Leads, and Modelling Department to define rigging approaches and workflows that serve both creative and pipeline needs.

Lead rigging efforts on assigned sequences or projects, ensuring assets are delivered on time, at a high standard, and ready for downstream departments.

Troubleshoot and provide robust technical solutions to rigging and pipeline challenges, escalating issues when needed and offering proactive suggestions for improvement.
Review and provide feedback on rigs created by other artists, supporting their development and helping maintain a cohesive and consistent rigging style across the project.
Mentor and guide junior and mid-level rigging artists, assisting with skill development and best practices in both technical and artistic execution.

Ensure rigged assets align with performance and usability expectations, adhering to studio standards and technical specifications for deformation, interface, and efficiency.

Take initiative in refining tools and workflows through Python or MEL scripting to improve team productivity and streamline pipeline integration.
Maintain clear communication with other departments and anticipate pipeline dependencies to ensure seamless delivery through to final output.

Contribute to documentation, onboarding guides, or technical notes to support knowledge sharing within the department and broader studio.

About you:

Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to give and receive constructive feedback across departments.

Expert-level knowledge of Maya, with strong proficiency in Python and MEL scripting for rigging and pipeline integration.

Proven ability to develop techniques and processes that address complex rigging challenges in a production environment.

Solid understanding of anatomy, deformation, skin weighting, and advanced rigging methodologies including facial, creature, and mechanical rigs.

A collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset, with strong organizational and leadership skills.

Ability to work autonomously while guiding and supporting a team to deliver high-quality work within deadlines.

Specific requirement:

Valid work permit for Spain.

Why work with us?

We work on some pretty cool projects - check out our website:
https://www.flyingbark.com.au/

We have cake days, movie nights, wrap parties & a Kulture Klub dedicated to coordinating our busy social calendar!

We offer hybrid working mode, with two days remote a week.

If you love dogs as much as we do, you can bring them to work!

Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever possible. 

We have a full slate and plans for international expansion so there is always plenty of opportunity for career development.

Our employees say our culture is the best they've ever experienced - everyone is welcome and celebrated!

Flying Bark Productions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.