Rigger

Please note that this is a **fixed term contract position until June 2026**.

**Who is PlaySide Studios?**

PlaySide Studios is a dynamic and innovative company that employs individuals across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. As Australia's largest publicly listed independent video game developer, PlaySide is committed to delivering cutting-edge interactive experiences across mobile, VR, AR, and PC platforms. With a diverse portfolio of more than 60 titles and collaborations with industry giants like Netflix and Activision Blizzard, working at PlaySide is not just a job but an opportunity to be part of an innovating the gaming industry.

**Position Overview**:
Passionate about making characters move with lifelike precision and expression? We're seeking a talented Rigger to join our team on a fixed term contract basis until June 2026 In this pivotal role, you'll design and build optimized skeletal and facial rigs, crafting intuitive controls and expertly performing skinning to ensure fluid animation. You'll collaborate closely with animators, troubleshoot technical challenges, and ensure our characters look incredible in-engine. If you're a master of 3D animation software and love bringing virtual beings to life, we'd love to connect

**Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities**:

- Design, build, and implement character rigs for 3D models, ensuring they are optimized for animation.
- Create both skeletal and facial rigs that allow for a wide range of motion and expression.
- Develop intuitive control systems that enable animators to manipulate rigs effectively.
- Implement custom attributes and constraints to streamline the animation process and enhance usability.
- Work closely with animators to understand their needs and provide technical support.
- Collaborate on rig adjustments and modifications based on animator feedback to achieve desired movement and performance.
- Perform skinning and weight painting on characters and creatures to ensure smooth and natural deformation during animation.
- Troubleshoot and resolve any issues related to skinning and rig functionality.
- Identify and resolve rigging and animation issues, ensuring that rigs function properly within the game engine.
- Provide solutions for optimization and improve overall performance.
- Maintain clear documentation of rigging processes and techniques.
- Develop and promote best practices for rigging and animation within the team.
- Keep current with the latest rigging techniques, tools, and industry standards.
- Explore new technologies and workflows that could enhance the rigging process and animation quality.

**What You Bring to the Table**:

- Competent proficiency in 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and rigging tools.
- Good understanding of anatomy, movement principles, and character rigging techniques.
- Experience with facial rigging and creating blend shapes is a plus.
- Competent with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and their animation systems. Understanding of scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL) for automating rigging tasks is beneficial.
- Good analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot rigging issues and provide effective solutions.
- Ability to work effectively within a team, communicate technical concepts clearly, and collaborate with animators and artists to achieve shared goals.
- Experience with additional animation tools (e.g., MotionBuilder, Houdini) or plugins that enhance rigging workflows.
- Familiarity with motion capture systems and how they integrate into the rigging and animation pipeline.
- Knowledge of shader systems and how they affect character appearance in relation to rigging.

**What We Offer Here at PlaySide**:

- Playdays - an additional 5 paid days off per year to do something you love.
- Incredible studios based in gorgeous Port Melbourne, right next to the city and many public transport options.
- Industry-leading Parental Leave benefits.
- Relocation Assistance.
- Employee Assistance Program to support mental well-being.
- Mentoring opportunities to help you grow in your role.
- Half-price state-of-the-art Gym access (right next door) - you can wear your free PlaySide swag
- Social events including Games night, karaoke nights, Movie Nights (We hire out the cinema), group activities, and food trucks Just as some examples