Rigging Artists - (Junior, Mid, Senior)

Stellar Creative Lab • Vancouver, BC

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Stellar, we aim to build a studio where people actually want to work. We face production’s inevitable ups and downs as a supportive, truly connected team, prioritizing open communication over anyone working in isolation. We value honesty, creativity, and looking out for one another. We are expanding our team and looking for talented Rigging Artists at the Junior, Mid, and Senior levels to deliver high-end creative content on a premium streaming series for Marvel Animation. In this critical technical and creative role, you aren't just building skeletons; you are empowering animators to create outstanding performances in iconic characters. Working closely with the Rigging Lead, you will apply a deep understanding of anatomy, musculature, and movement to build robust, animator-friendly rigs. If you have a passion for raising the standard of character performance and love solving technical puzzles, we want you on our team.

Requirements

• Junior: 1–2+ years of production experience. You have a solid grasp of Maya rigging fundamentals, a strong portfolio demonstrating good deformation, and are eager to learn.
• Mid-Level: 3–5+ years of production experience. You can hit the ground running, build complex rigs with minimal supervision, and have working Python knowledge.
• Senior: 5+ years of production experience. You are an expert at rigging complex hero assets, highly proficient in Python/scripting, and are comfortable mentoring junior artists and helping the Lead optimize workflows.
• Technical Fundamentals: A strong technical foundation in Maya rigging and an excellent understanding of overall CG pipeline processes.
• Artistic Eye: Deep knowledge of anatomy, joint placement, and mechanics, paired with the passion to elevate character performance.
• Eligibility: Legally eligible to work in British Columbia, Canada.

Nice To Haves

• Proficient knowledge of Linux and Python (Strongly desired for Juniors/Mids; Required for Seniors).
• Working knowledge of PyQt.
• Production experience with Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid) for tracking and task management.

Responsibilities

• Create, test, and maintain robust character, creature, and prop rigs that meet the specific needs of the animation department.
• Apply a deep understanding of human and animal anatomy, musculature, and mechanics to every asset you touch.
• Bring a strong artistic sensitivity to the technical process, ensuring your rigs support the creative aspects of animation, such as line, shape, and appealing deformation.
• Troubleshoot and proactively fix technical problems encountered by animators using your rigs during active production.
• Utilize Python scripting to automate repetitive tasks, build custom tools, and improve your own rigging efficiency.
• Ensure all rigs are optimized to run smoothly within the Maya pipeline without slowing down the production floor.
• Act as a collaborative partner to the Animation and Modeling departments, working elegantly back and forth to solve mesh or deformation issues.
• Consistently meet delivery deadlines and manage your task load effectively within Flow Production Tracking.
• Actively participate in dailies and department reviews, taking constructive feedback gracefully from your Rigging Lead and CG/VFX Supervisors. (Seniors will be expected to help mentor and guide Junior artists).

Benefits

• Flexible Environment: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that will vary with project and team requirements.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Extended health benefits.
• Growth: Professional development support to help you stay ahead of tech and creative trends.
• Culture: A collaborative, ego-free environment where technical expertise fuels creative magic.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed