Rigging & Animation Software Developer

1 Month ago • 5 Years + • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Flying Bark Productions seeks a passionate Rigging & Animation Software Developer to join its R&D team in Sydney. This role involves developing and improving rigging tools, animation workflows, and technical solutions for projects like the Avatar: The Last Airbender film and Stranger Things animated series. Responsibilities include developing scalable systems, researching new technologies (pose prediction, machine learning), building software-agnostic tools, designing advanced rigging techniques, automating workflows, enhancing performance feedback, and collaborating with animation and rigging teams. The ideal candidate possesses 5+ years of experience in developing animation pipeline tools, understands artist workflows, and is proficient in Python and Maya API. Knowledge of USD, Groom & CFX workflows, and familiarity with real-time engines are also desired.
Must have:
  • 5+ years experience developing animation pipeline tools
  • Proficiency in Python and Maya API
  • Understanding of artist workflows
  • Knowledge of USD, Groom & CFX workflows
Good to have:
  • C++
  • Unreal Engine/Unity
  • Machine learning (PyTorch/TensorFlow)
  • Knowledge of various simulation systems
Perks:
  • Industry-leading studio space
  • Daily breakfast
  • Cake days, movie nights
  • Flexible work from home days
  • Training and support opportunities
  • Mental health resources

Job Details

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 Stranger Things animated series, as well as our production Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan. 

 

We have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate in joining their R&D Software Development team in Sydney to help shape the future of our CG Rigging & Animation pipeline.

 

We are looking for a passionate and technically skilled Rigging & Animation Software Developer to join our R&D team. This role is crucial in developing and improving rigging tools, animation workflows, and technical solutions that enhance our animation pipeline. You will work closely with Animation & Rigging teams to ensure efficiency, flexibility, and high-quality results in our productions.

 

About the role:

  • Development of scalable systems, procedures and tools that help the smooth and efficient running of the studio’s departments, including their inputs, internal workflows and outputs;
  • Research new technologies (such as pose prediction) and how to implement them into production pipelines when efficiencies can be found.
  • Investigate how machine learning can optimize rigging and animation processes, as well as ways of linking collected data (mocap & motion targeting) to rigs.
  • Build software-Agnostic Tools or solutions that aren’t tied to a single program, then also help with maintenance and support.
  • Develop advanced rigging techniques for more natural and realistic movements and deformation quality.
  • Design rigs that adapt easily to various characters and styles.
  • Propose ways to automate workflow to streamline repetitive tasks to save time and reduce errors.
  • Enhance performance feedback to help animators work more efficiently
  • Look into refactoring code for better support & maintenance
  • Maintain good communication between different studio departments and the technical departments;
  • Effectively working both autonomously and under the direction from supervisors as required;
  • Ability to flag issues that may impact on the successful delivery of the various production;
  • Assist with training, documentation and implementation of any newly adapted workflows;
  • Ability to manage time effectively, and complete all tasks within production deadlines.
  • Must work well in a team, with strong communication skills and attention to detail;

 

About you:

  • 5+ years experience developing tools and scripts for animation pipelines within a production environment
  • Understanding of artist workflows and pain points.
  • Knowledge of procedural animation and physics-based rigging solutions.
  • Proficiency in Python and Maya API (C++ is a plus plus).
  • Knowledge of USD, as well as Groom & CFX workflows
  • Knowledge of procedural animation and physics-based rigging solutions.
  • Familiarity with real-time engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) is a plus.
  • A passion for innovation and staying up to date with industry advancements.
  • Knowledge in various simulation systems (muscle, cloth: nCloth, Bifrost, Ziva).
  • Knowledge with other animation packages (Unreal, Blender, Houdini). Tech knowledge of APEX/KineFX in relation to CreatureFX is a bonus.
  • Keen and demonstrable interest in machine learning, such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
  • Knowledge of deep learning architectures for animation and pose prediction.
  • Version control with Git.
  • Able to showcase existing tools & development projects to illustrate their methods.
  • Ability to prototype and validate new approaches.
  • Ability to write documentation and technical specifications.
  • Ability to create progress reports and demonstrations.
  • Ability to create measurable improvements in productivity.
  • Ability to gather and interpret user requirements.

 

What do we do? 

Flying Bark Productions is a renowned independent producer of family-focused animation entertainment. For over 50 years, our 2D and 3D production facility has created award-winning feature films and TV series. 


Why work with us? 

  • We work on some pretty cool projects - check out our website: https://www.flyingbark.com.au/ 
  • We have an industry leading studio space in Alexandria, complete with a cinema, quiet room, Zen Garden, games room, and state of the art animation facilities. 
  • Breakfast is served daily - on us! 
  • We have cake days, movie nights, wrap parties & a culture club dedicated to coordinating our busy social calendar! 
  • The Barkers have big hearts too, with our Paws for a Cause fundraising arm raising much needed funds for charities such as Beyond Blue, RSPCA and the Cancer Council. 
  • We love dogs and you will often see some of our regular fluffy companions in the studio. 
  • We have a hybrid approach to work with flexible work from home days on offer.
  •  Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever possible. 
  • Our employees say our culture is the best they've ever experienced - everyone is welcome and celebrated! 
  • You'll have access to mental health resources and free counselling via our Employee Assistance Provider Support Act. 

 

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

Similar Jobs

Escape Velocity Entertainment - Outsourcing Prop Artist

Escape Velocity Entertainment

(Remote)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - 3D Rigger

Ubisoft

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Epic Games - Research Engineer

Epic Games

Berlin, Berlin, Germany (On-Site)
3 Months ago
The Walt Disney Company - Entertainment Technician (Warehouse)

The Walt Disney Company

Hong Kong (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Reality Games - Unity Animator - Monopoly World

Reality Games

Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Embark Studios - Animator - Games

Embark Studios

Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (On-Site)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Principal Gameplay Animator

PlayStation Global

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Techland - Animation Director

Techland

Poland (On-Site)
7 Months ago
Epic Games - Associate Art Producer

Epic Games

Porto Alegre, State Of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Ubisoft - (Senior)3D Character Artist[Art Team]

Ubisoft

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Studio Gobo - Animator

Studio Gobo

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Epic Games - Technical Animation Lead

Epic Games

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Valve corporation - Animator

Valve corporation

Bellevue, Washington, United States (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Ubisoft - Animation Technical Director

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Luma Pictures - CG Supervisor

Luma Pictures

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Hybrid)
5 Months ago
DNEG - Animation TD

DNEG

Karnataka, India (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Ubisoft - Senior Rigger

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Light Speed Studios - 3D Artist

Light Speed Studios

(On-Site)
2 Months ago
Netflix - Core Assets Technical Director

Netflix

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid)
3 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Easygo - Payments Operations Specialist

Easygo

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Flying Bark Productions - Front-End CG Supervisor

Flying Bark Productions

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Immutable - Commercial Strategy Lead

Immutable

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Canva - Senior Frontend Engineer - Editing APIs

Canva

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Remote)
1 Month ago
Easygo - Team Leader - Mandarin Speaking

Easygo

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Canva - Senior Platform Engineer - Workload Integration

Canva

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia (Remote)
3 Months ago
Canva - AI Product Localization Specialist

Canva

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Remote)
1 Month ago
Canva - Frontend Software Engineer

Canva

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia (Remote)
1 Month ago
Google - Senior Software Engineer, Android Security

Google

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Aristocrat Gaming - Software Development Engineer I

Aristocrat Gaming

North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

Epic Games - Producer - Animation

Epic Games

Cary, North Carolina, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Activision - Senior AI Animator

Activision

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Flying Bark Productions - Senior 2D Rough Animator

Flying Bark Productions

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Cloud Imperium Games - Senior Gameplay Animation Programmer

Cloud Imperium Games

Manchester, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
5 Months ago
DNEG - Creature TD - CFX

DNEG

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Intermediate/Senior Animation Programmer

Ubisoft

Malmö, Skåne County, Sweden (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
ICON Creative Studio - Production Coordinator

ICON Creative Studio

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Activision - Senior AI Animator

Activision

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Framestore - Freelance Senior Rigging TD

Framestore

New York, New York, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Paper Games - 3D Animator - Love and Deep Space (NOVA Training Camp)

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Flying Bark Productions Pty Ltd is internationally recognized as Australia’s leading producer of quality children’s animated entertainment, known for its high quality film and television properties ranging from pre-school to young adult.


The mission of Flying Bark Productions is to create great animated entertainment for children. We employ Australia’s top talents in animation, the visual arts, screen writing and composing to produce a diverse and enchanted range of feature films, television programs and new media products.

New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Hybrid)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Flying Bark Productions

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug