At Visual Concepts, we believe great games are made by diverse and empowered teams with a shared passion for play. As one of the world’s top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to critical acclaim and commercial success. Our teams are independent and entrepreneurial. Our studios in Novato, Irvine, Budapest, Shanghai, Austin, Boise, Seoul, and Parksville, Canada are committed to artistry and technical innovation, offering top candidates the opportunity to learn and grow with some of the smartest and most creative minds in the industry.
The Team:The NBA Tech Art team is a diverse group of dedicated Technical Artists that perform a wide variety of tasks. We write and maintain tools for the art department, rig the characters, props, and clothing, and do a lot of problem solving.
What We Need:The Novato team is looking for an expert character rigging artist (temporary) familiar with body and face rigging to work closely with the art team. This role reports to the Lead Technical Artist.
What You Will Do:- Update our character rigs to improve deformation and more accurately simulate human anatomy
- Create math node networks to make new connections for our body and face rigs
- Implement blendshapes and corrective shapes into our rigs with the support of the character team
- Create clean skinweight and blendweight maps
- Write Python code to automate tasks, create procedural setups, and improve workflow efficiency
- Diagnose, debug, and resolve character rigging related errors across tools and the game
- Collaborate with a team of other technical artists to support art teams directly
- Work closely with engineers and collaborate with multiple art departments to address feedback notes and make art asset requests
- Contribute to documentation, workflows, and pipeline improvements that scale across the team
- Strong expertise in Autodesk Maya
- Strong understanding of human anatomy and deformation
- Working knowledge of Scripting in Python/PyMel
- Familiar with Facial Action Coding System (FACS) based rigs
- Familiar with joint placement and designing skeleton setups
- Experience in creating character rigs that are optimized for games
- Knowledge of good topology and proper edge-flow to create natural deformation
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Love for video games (not just ours!)
- Working with NgSkinTools for weight painting
- Familiar creating UIs with Qt
- Experience with version control (Perforce)
- Experience creating jiggle joints or other dynamic simulation setups
- Programming using Maya Python API
US (All States except for WA)
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $54 - $75 per hour. The pay range for this position in New York at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. The pay range for this position in New Jersey at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. The pay range for this position in Maryland at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour.The pay range for this position in Colorado at the start of employment is expected to be between $48 - $68 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
US (Washington State)
The pay range for this position in Washington at the start of employment is expected to be between $54 - $75 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Canada
The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD - $47 - $67 per hour. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
To learn more about Visual Concepts and our studio locations, check out our website at www.vcentertainment.com
Skills Required
- Expertise with Autodesk Maya
- Strong understanding of human anatomy and deformation
- Working knowledge of Python and PyMel scripting
- Familiarity with Facial Action Coding System based rigs
- Familiarity with joint placement and skeleton setup design
- Experience creating character rigs optimized for games
- Knowledge of topology and edge flow for natural deformation
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Experience with NgSkinTools for weight painting
- Experience creating user interfaces with Qt
- Experience with Perforce version control
- Experience creating jiggle joints or dynamic simulation setups
- Programming experience using the Maya Python API
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. role descriptions outline 14 paid holidays, substantial vacation or discretionary time off, up to 10 paid sick days, and paid parental and compassionate leave. These specifics are spelled out in job postings, with details varying by team and location.
-
Healthcare Strength — Core coverage includes medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and telemedicine, alongside mental-health and wellbeing programs; some locations list carriers such as Cigna and Kaiser. Coverage is commonly characterized as solid even if not top-tier, with options differing by region.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan is employer-verified and is frequently noted as including company matching. This sits within a broader savings framework supported by the parent company.
2K Insights
What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
Gallery
2K Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
