About the role
Position Overview
Od’s Houdini Riggers are responsible for creating robust, animator-friendly rigs for characters, creatures, props and other assets across our animation and visual effects projects. Working closely with modelling, animation, CFX and pipeline teams, the Houdini Rigger will develop technically sound rigging solutions that support expressive performances while meeting the creative and production requirements of each project.
Role Details
- Design, build and maintain production-ready character, creature and prop rigs in Houdini.
- Develop intuitive control systems that allow animators to create expressive and believable performances.
- Create deformation systems that preserve volume, form and anatomical structure across a wide range of motion.
- Build procedural rigging workflows using Houdini’s KineFX and APEX.
- Develop solutions for skeletal rigging, skinning, IK/FK systems, space switching, constraints, corrective shapes and deformation.
- Work closely with modelers and animators to identify and resolve topology, deformation and performance issues.
- Collaborate with CFX, FX and pipeline departments to ensure rigs integrate effectively with downstream workflows.
- Test, troubleshoot and optimize rigs for stability, playback performance and ease of use.
- Develop reusable tools and techniques that improve the efficiency and consistency of the rigging process.
- Participate in dailies, rounds and team reviews, responding constructively to creative and technical feedback.
- Maintain clear documentation and communicate rig requirements, limitations and updates to artists and production.
- Meet production schedules and show deadlines while maintaining a high standard of technical and artistic quality.
Skills & Requirements
Required Skills
- Strong working knowledge of Houdini, including KineFX, SOPs and procedural rigging workflows.
- Thorough understanding of character rigging principles, including skeletal hierarchies, IK/FK systems, constraints, skinning and deformation.
- Strong understanding of human and animal anatomy, weight, balance and physical motion.
- Demonstrated ability to create intuitive, reliable and animator-friendly rigs.
- Experience diagnosing and resolving complex deformation and rigging problems.
- Proficiency with Python; experience with VEX and Houdini Digital Assets.
- Ability to work collaboratively with animation, modelling, CFX, FX and pipeline teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to creative and technical challenges.
- Ability to manage priorities and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Working knowledge of Linux and production pipeline environments.
- 3–5 years of relevant rigging experience in animation or visual effects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with USD/Solaris or procedural character pipelines is considered an asset.
Employment Details
- Type: Freelance
- Location: Remote