Freelance Senior Rigging TD

3 Weeks ago • 5 Years + • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

This freelance Senior Rigging TD position in New York requires building and maintaining high-quality rigs for visual effects projects in episodic and advertising. Responsibilities include collaborating with animation, modeling, and CFX departments, developing internal rigging tools, ensuring rig consistency across projects, and mentoring junior artists. The ideal candidate possesses 5+ years of rigging experience in VFX, animation, or gaming, advanced Python scripting skills, and strong problem-solving abilities. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with 1-2 office days per week, running from roughly May to July 2025. A strong technical foundation, creative problem-solving, and openness to learning are essential.
Must have:
  • 5+ years rigging experience
  • Advanced Python scripting
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strong anatomy & topology knowledge
  • Rig building & maintenance
  • Collaboration with other departments
Good to have:
  • Modular rigging systems
  • FACS-based facial rigging
  • Houdini, Bifrost, Unreal experience
  • C++ or other compiled languages
  • Motion capture data integration

Job Details

Job description

This is a freelance position within the New York team, candidates must be available from roughly May to July 2025, and able to work a hybrid schedule with 1-2 office days per week on average. Ideal candidates will be based in the New York area, and must have valid US work authorization. 

The Senior Rigging TD role is responsible for designing, creating and maintaining accurate and efficient rigs for high end visual effects projects across episodic and advertising projects.. You’ll collaborate with global teams across multiple projects, contributing to productions at each of our sites. A strong technical foundation, creative problem-solving, and an openness to learning new tools are key to success in this role.

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with a passion for creating efficient and artist-friendly rigs and a willingness to learn and adapt to our unique pipeline.



What you’ll do

  • Build and maintain high-quality character, creature, prop, and unconventional rigs using the studio’s proprietary rigging tools

  • Collaborate closely with animation, modeling, and CFX departments to ensure rigs meet creative and technical needs

  • Develop and contribute to internal rigging tools, scripts, and workflows for efficiency and scalability

  • Work with global teams to ensure rig consistency and functionality across multiple projects and sites

  • Provide mentorship and guidance to rigging artists and other members of the CG team

  • Stay current with industry rigging techniques and standards. Bringing new perspective to our global team

Job requirements

  • 5+ years of rigging experience in a VFX, animation, or gaming environment

  • A passion for creating believable CG assets and the requisite attention to detail 

  • Advanced Python scripting experience for tool development and automation 

  • An enthusiasm to solve problems with clarity and efficiency

  • A good awareness of and insight into interfaces at 3D, GUI and code levels

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively in a team environment

  • Strong knowledge of anatomy, deformation, and topology best practices

  • Familiarity with facial rigging workflows

  • Proven ability to debug, optimize, and maintain complex rigs



You might also have

  • Experience with modular, data driven rigging systems and animation toolsets

  • Background in adjacent disciplines such as modeling, animation, or CFX

  • Knowledge of FACS based facial rigging processes

  • Knowledge of Houdini, Bifrost and/or Unreal

  • Strong math background, preferably linear algebra 

  • Understanding of C++ or other compiled languages

  • Experience with motion capture data and integration into rigs


New York Employees Pay Range: $550 - $850 per day


The posted range describes the minimum to maximum range for this job description in the state of New York. The range is posted in accordance with the New York Pay Transparency Bill. The range for this same position may be lower or higher in markets outside of New York City. Pay is dependent on the applicant's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.


Accessibility Statement

Our New York studio is fully accessible, with step-free entry, accessible toilets on all floors, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to supporting disabled colleagues and providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.


Application Process

To apply, please complete the following application form


We review all applications manually and do not use artificial intelligence to screen candidates. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let us know—we are happy to accommodate your needs.

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About The Company

Framestore combines talent and technology to reframe the possible in film, content, advertising and immersive experiences.

Founded in 1986, Framestore is now a global company of over 3,000 people across eight locations. We create pixel-perfect images for blockbuster films and TV, iconic advertising campaigns and innovative immersive projects.

Our portfolio of work is underpinned by an industry-leading expertise in VFX and has resulted in a multitude of awards including Oscars and BAFTAs as well as a record number of Cannes Lions awards, which all cement our position at the forefront of innovation.

We have studios in London, Montreal, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Mumbai, Melbourne. Visit our website for current vacancies in film, advertising and immersive: https://www.framestore.com/careers 

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