Blue Zoo Animation Studio is looking for a technically brilliant and creatively driven Mid‑Level 3D Rigger to join our renowned rigging department. This role is for a “technical artist” in the truest sense—someone who understands the delicate balance between complex mathematical deformation systems and the intuitive, artistic needs of an animator. At Blue Zoo, our riggers are the unsung heroes who transform static models into expressive, performance‑ready characters.
As a B Corp certified studio, we offer more than just a job; we offer a career within an ethical framework that prioritises people, diversity, and creative fulfilment. Whether you are working from our London hub or utilising our flexible remote options across the UK, you will be part of a team that has consistently been named one of the Best Places to Work in TV.
Job Overview: Mid‑Level 3D Rigger
Company Name: Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Position: Mid‑Level 3D Rigger
Department: Advertising & Special Projects
Location: London / Hybrid / UK Remote
Salary Range: £40,000 – £55,000 Per Annum (Dependent on skills & experience)
Work Mode: Flexible / Hybrid / Remote (UK Based)
Primary Software: Autodesk Maya & Python
Studio Status: B Corp Certified & Multi‑BAFTA Winning
The Mission: Engineering Expression
A Mid‑Level 3D Rigger at Blue Zoo Animation Studio is responsible for the skeletal architecture of our productions. You are expected to mix elegant technical solutions with creative problem‑solving to build rigs that aren’t just functional, but a joy to animate. You will handle high‑profile assets, contribute to the design of modular rigging systems, and serve as a vital bridge between the modelling and animation departments.
Your daily mission is to ensure that the creative vision of the Director is physically possible within the 3D space. From nuanced facial shapes to complex mechanical transformations, you will build the “connective tissue” that allows our stories to move.
Key Responsibilities & Day‑to‑Day Impact
- Asset Setup: Design, create, and test a broad variety of asset setups, ranging from hero characters and creatures to complex mechanical props and environmental elements.
- Modular Innovation: Define and implement modular asset build systems to increase efficiency, while maintaining flexibility to provide bespoke solutions for unique production needs.
- High‑Profile Assets: Take ownership of the rigging and maintenance for the most complex and “hero” assets of specific productions, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance and deformation.
- Tool Development & Automation: Develop custom tools and scripts (primarily in Python) to speed up internal workflows and automate repetitive rigging tasks.
- Technical Architecture: Contribute to the design of the rigging systems and logic used across the studio, ensuring consistency and scalability.
- Group Repositories: Work within shared code repositories, utilising object‑oriented programming (OOP) principles to ensure clean, documented, and maintainable code.
- Animator Synergy: Collaborate directly with the Animation department to design user‑friendly control schemes and troubleshoot technical issues during production.
- Department Liaison: Represent the rigging department in animatic reviews, define and communicate rig requirements to other departments and provide technical feedback on what is achievable within the schedule.
- Mentorship: Guide junior team members through asset briefs, helping them interpret technical requirements and providing quality assurance on their setups.
- Client Integration: Process and integrate assets from external clients or partner studios, ensuring that incoming rigs meet Blue Zoo’s rigorous quality and pipeline standards.
Candidate Profile: What We Are Looking For
- Maya Mastery: Extensive knowledge of Autodesk Maya’s deformation systems (skinning, blendshapes, deformers) and general 3D principles.
- Coding Expertise: Essential experience in Python and Maya commands, including modular programming and collaboration in group repositories.
- Mathematical Foundation: Solid understanding of geometry and trigonometry concepts as they apply to 3D space and rigging logic.
- Detail Oriented: Extremely thorough eye for detail, pride in clean rigs with predictable behaviour and zero technical overhead.
- Communication: Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical staff and work collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.
- Professionalism: Self‑motivated and able to deliver high‑quality work on schedule while remaining calm under pressure.
Bonus Points (Standing Out)
- API Knowledge: Experience with the Maya API (C++ or Python) is a major advantage for high‑level tool development.
- Physics & Dynamics: Knowledge of muscle systems, cloth simulation (nCloth/Marvelous), or ragdoll setups.
- Anatomical Knowledge: Strong grasp of human and animal anatomy to ensure realistic deformation.
The Blue Zoo Animation Studio Experience: Why Join Us?
Blue Zoo Animation Studio is more than just a studio; it is a community of creators who believe that a happy artist is a productive artist. Our B Corp status means we are legally committed to social and environmental responsibility.
Our Culture of Excellence
- Best Places to Work: Recognised by Broadcast as one of the Best Places to Work in TV consistently from 2019 through 2026.
- B Corp Integrity: Independently verified by B Lab, meeting 170+ rigorous metrics regarding staff, community, and environment.
- The Shorts Programme: Annual funding for internal short films, open to all staff, fostering experimentation with rigging techniques and inclusion in credits.
- Financial Wellbeing: Participation in a Profit Share scheme (for those with 2+ years of service) and a comprehensive benefits package with discounts.
- Mental Health & Wellness: Access to an online wellbeing program and a supportive culture that values work‑life balance.
- Engagement: Bi‑monthly employee feedback sessions that shape studio evolution.
- Social Life: Regular social events, both in‑person and digital, to keep remote and hybrid staff connected.
