The Senior Rigging Artist is responsible for building robust, scalable character, creature, and prop rigs entirely within Maya. This includes developing facial systems, deformation setups, and custom tools to support animation and downstream departments. The role balances technical execution with mentorship and cross-department collaboration.
Requirements
- Rig Development: Build advanced Maya rigs for characters, creatures, and props.
- Deliver animation-friendly rigs that meet artistic and technical standards.
- Deformation: Deliver clean skinning, blendshapes, and deformation setups.
- Tool Creation: Support the team with scalable tools and reliable technical solutions.
- Develop and maintain rigging tools to support team workflows.
- Pipeline Integration: Ensure rigs are stable and compatible with downstream use.
- Collaboration: Work with animation, CFX, and modeling to meet rigging needs. Help define best practices and contribute to pipeline improvements.
- Mentorship: Provide support and review feedback for mid and junior artists. Support the team in elevating both output and efficiency.
- Scene Organisation: Maintain clean hierarchies and naming conventions.
- Troubleshooting: Resolve rig and deformation issues during asset or shot work.
Skills, attributes and experience:
- Expert-level rigging in Maya using joints, constraints, and utility nodes.
- Deep understanding of Matrix math and the architecture of Maya.
- Strong understanding of anatomy, deformation, and facial rigging setups.
- Proficient in Python / Pyside for scripting and automation.
- Solid communicator with strong problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working independently on complex rigging tasks.
- Experience with Git and GitLab or equivalent.
- Familiarity with OpenMaya and/or C++.
- Familiarity with USD rig publishing and referencing.
- Understanding of Houdini-based CFX.
- Experience with facial rigs, correctives, and driven systems.
- Ability to review and maintain rig templates and standards.
- Confidence working with pipeline and tools teams.
- 6–8 years in VFX or a related field.
- Excellent communicator, sharing information clearly and actively listening
- Strong time management, ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and escalate delays in a timely manner.
- Adaptable to change with the ability to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude.
- Driven to make things better with flexibility to change course when needed.
- Positive energy, focusing on results and having a positive impact on those around you.
- Self awareness and an ability to resolve and diffuse problems treating others with kindness and respect.
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work well with others.
Benefits
25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
5 days carers leave per year
2 paid volunteering days per calendar year
Hybrid working
Company pension and life insurance
Medicash healthcare cash plan
A calendar full of wrap parties and other social events
Hours and location
Your contracted hours are 40 hours per week with one hour a day for lunch. The core working hours are 10:00am to 17:30pm Monday to Friday. We have a great office in Shoreditch where our artists are based.
You would be required to work from the office in London at least 2 days per week.
To apply
You need to have a current and full work permit for the region that you’ll be working in. Please disclose if you need sponsorship support to be able to work for One of Us.
Skills Required
- Expert-level rigging in Maya using joints, constraints, and utility nodes
- Build advanced rigs for characters, creatures, and props
- Deliver animation-friendly rigs that meet artistic and technical standards
- Clean skinning, blendshapes, and deformation setups
- Develop and maintain rigging tools and scalable automation
- Proficient in Python and PySide for scripting and automation
- Experience with Git and GitLab (or equivalent version control)
- Deep understanding of matrix math and Maya architecture
- Strong understanding of anatomy, deformation, and facial rigging setups
- Experience with facial rigs, correctives, and driven systems
- Ensure pipeline integration, stable rigs, and compatibility with downstream departments
- Mentorship: provide feedback and support for mid and junior artists
- Maintain clean scene hierarchies and naming conventions
- Troubleshoot rig and deformation issues during asset or shot work
- Ability to review and maintain rig templates and standards
- Confidence working with pipeline and tools teams; contribute to pipeline improvements
- 6-8 years experience in VFX or a related field
- Strong communication, time management, prioritization, and collaboration skills
- Familiarity with OpenMaya and/or C++
- Familiarity with USD rig publishing and referencing
- Understanding of Houdini-based CFX
What We Do
One of Us is an award-winning, design-led visual effects studio founded in London. It creates visual effects for feature films, episodic television, commercials, and immersive art installations, partnering closely with visionary filmmakers and directors. Its work spans creature design, immersive world-building, and the full range of VFX disciplines. The company operates internationally, with studios in London, Paris, and Bangalore and a presence in Los Angeles.
