Senior Rigging Technical Director job at Framestore …, Port Phillip City

Framestore, an Academy Award-winning global visual effects and episodic studio, is seeking an exceptional, highly technical, and artistically intuitive

Senior Rigging Technical Director (Senior Rigging TD)

to join our premier production team in Melbourne.

In this senior-level position, you will occupy a critical node within our high-end film pipeline. Your core mandate is to design, architect, implement, and maintain highly accurate, stable, and anatomically performant creature and character rigs. Acting as a strategic bridge between our Modeling and Animation departments, you will translate frozen 3D geometries into highly expressive, production-ready assets capable of executing nuanced physical performances for some of the world’s most prominent directors and storytellers.

The ideal candidate pairs advanced mathematical and scripting capabilities with a deep appreciation for organic movement, anatomy, and real-time physical behaviors. Whether you are automating modular rigging systems or fine-tuning complex facial blendshapes, your work will directly define the limits of visual effects performance at a studio that continuously redefines what is possible in cinema.

Rigging Technical Director Job Overview The foundational administrative, geographic, financial, and structural parameters of this visual effects career opportunity are organized below for clear reference.

Parameter

Specifications & Details

Company Name

Framestore

Position Title

Senior Rigging Technical Director (Senior Rigging TD)

Department

Film & Episodic / Rigging Department

Job Type / Tenure

Full-Time, Permanent Position

Work Model

Studio-Based with Flexible Hybrid Options

Primary Location

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Estimated Base Salary Range

$110,000 AUD – $145,000 AUD per annum (Gross, plus statutory superannuation)

Experience Level

Senior / Lead Tier (5+ Years of verified VFX Film Production experience)

Application Gateway

Submit online form or email



Email Subject Line Tag

[Senior Rigging TD
- Melbourne]

Screening Methodology

100% Manual Human Review

(No AI screening filters utilized)

Accessibility & Inclusion

Step-free entry, accessible facilities, quiet spaces, full physical accommodation

About Framestore Framestore is a globally recognized, multi-Oscar-winning creative studio that combines extraordinary talent with cutting-edge technology to bring life to everything we create. For decades, we have partnered with the world’s most visionary filmmakers, directors, and producers across the complete filmmaking lifecycle. From early pre-visualization and asset design through to final rendering and post-production, our teams craft beautiful, unforgettable imagery that sets global benchmarks for cinematic storytelling.

Driven by a relentless curiosity and inspired by technological innovation, our daily mission is to reframe what is possible. Our Melbourne studio mirrors this dedication to excellence while cultivating a collaborative, supportive, and highly creative atmosphere. We operate on the foundational belief that great work stems from diverse perspectives, a passion for detail, and a healthy, inclusive workplace where every individual can unlock their full creative potential.

Operating as a Senior Rigging TD at Framestore requires an elegant combination of autonomous tool-building, cross-departmental collaboration, and strict adherence to professional code architecture. Your daily responsibilities are split into the following functional areas:

1. Advanced Rig Construction & Asset Engineering

Fully Scripted Deployments:

Architect, test, and deploy fully scripted, modular, and functional character and creature rigs within Autodesk Maya that adapt dynamically to production demands.

Puppet & Deformer Systems:

Prototype, implement, and iterate upon bipedal/quadrupedal skeletons, mechanical systems, and deformer-based cloth, hair, or tissue networks.

Rig Fine-Tuning & Feedback:

Gather qualitative feedback directly from animation leads and lighting supervisors. Troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, repair technical glitches, and fine-tune complex rig behaviors under strict production constraints.

Tool Development:

Author localized scripts, user interfaces (GUIs), and interactive utilities that optimize animation workflows and simplify complex asset selections for the animators.

Systemic Consistency:

Ensure all custom code, node hierarchies, and rigging mechanics strictly comply with Framestore’s overarching global pipeline rules and naming conventions.

Toolbox Expansion:

Become a proficient user, advocate, and code contributor to Framestore’s extensive internal rigging toolsets, continuously updating shared modules to benefit the global team.

Technical Documentation:

Write clear, concise wiki articles and capture demonstration screen recordings to document tool updates, specialized rig features, and pipeline instructions for internal stakeholders.

Deadline Management:

Consistently meet target dates and asset delivery schedules within a rapid-moving, high-pressure feature film environment.

Candidate Profile: Who You Are Required Technical Qualifications & Expertise

Industry Experience:

You hold

5+ years of professional VFX production experience

working on high-end episodic or feature film pipelines.

Maya Rigging Mastery:

Expert-level knowledge of full-body and facial rigging inside Autodesk Maya, displaying a complete understanding of joint networks, skin weights, constraints, and custom deformers.

Advanced Pipeline Scripting:

High proficiency in

Python

or

MEL , including custom GUI construction (PySide/PyQt) and an established history of working within strict, shared coding standards.

Modular Systems Literacy:

Proven success creating and running fully automated, scripted modular/functional rigging frameworks.

Anatomical Understanding:

Strong foundational knowledge of bipedal and quadrupedal anatomy, including muscle volume preservation, skeletal articulation boundaries, and organic fat/skin slide behaviors.

Visual Problem Solving:

An exceptional balance of rigorous analytical skills and fine-art sensibilities, enabling you to solve complex technical problems without sacrificing aesthetic realism.

Desirable Attributes & Secondary Skills (Pluses)

Advanced Facial Rigging:

Specialized experience with realistic eye and mouth mechanics, alongside comprehensive familiarity with the Facial Action Coding System ( FACS ).

Traditional Arts Foundation:

Practical experience in life drawing, physical sculpture, or organic character modeling—particularly human anatomy is highly valued.

Dynamic Simulation Foundations:

Basic knowledge of runtime dynamic setups, including Maya Hair, Comet systems, nCloth, or nParticles.

Mathematical Prowess:

A robust mathematical background, specifically focusing on matrix mathematics, vector operations, coordinate space transformations, and geometric algorithms.

Plugin Development:

Experience writing custom C++ or C Maya plugins to expand the native capabilities of our rigging environment.

Motion Capture Competence:

Hands-on experience executing body motion capture pipelines, structural rig hookups, offset animation configurations, and data re-targeting setups.

Inclusivity, Accessibility, & Studio Commitments Full Studio Accessibility Framestore believes that creative spaces must be physically welcoming to everyone. Our Melbourne facility is fully engineered for physical accessibility, offering step-free main entries, dedicated accessible toilets, and specialized quiet rooms designed to provide low-sensory environments for focus or reflection. We are deeply committed to welcoming disabled colleagues and providing all necessary workplace accommodations to foster long-term professional success.

Equitable Human Recruitment Process We reject the automated, algorithmic gatekeeping of modern recruitment. Every single application submitted to Framestore is reviewed

manually by a real person

within our talent acquisition team. We do not use automated keyword filters or artificial intelligence systems to screen, rank, or eliminate candidates.

Furthermore, if you require any specific technical adjustments, communication accommodations, or scheduling support at any phase of the recruitment or interview process, please let us know. We will work with you directly to fulfill your needs.

Flexible Qualifications Guidance A Transferable Skills Perspective:

The qualification list provided above functions as a practical baseline guideline, not an unyielding rulebook. You do not need to fulfill every technical criteria or master every single software extension listed to apply. If you possess strong transferable skills, a dedicated passion for creature mechanics, and a belief that your background aligns with our studio goals, we strongly encourage you to submit your portfolio. Application opens the door to being considered not only for this specific senior role but also for upcoming projects and alternative positions.