Blender Character TD

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Blender Character TD to take full ownership of the rigging, deformation and puppeteering systems on an an exciting new project!

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies.

Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day to Day:

• Designing, creating, testing and maintaining a broad variety of asset rigs
• Collaborating with animators to design user-friendly rigs, and troubleshoot issues as they arise
• Collaborating with animators in designing performance capture and digital puppetry workflows
• Providing technical feedback to other departments as necessary and working with production management to prioritise tasks
• Strong technical testing, troubleshooting and debugging to keep the rigging and puppeteering systems reliable 

About You

Must Have:

• Strong knowledge of Blender’s deformation systems and 3D principles
• Previous experience in animation as a rigger or character TD
• Experience with modular rigging systems
• Comfortable with Python and the Blender Python API, able to read, debug and extend existing tools as well as write new ones
• Experience in modular programming and collaborating in group repositories
• A thorough and keen eye for detail, and the ability to produce consistent, quality assured rigs across projects
• Strong version control habits and good file hygiene
• Proficiency with CloudRig or Rigify
• Proficiency with Geometry Nodes
• Self-motivated & able to work collaboratively, as well as independently
• Able to take direction and willing to address constructive feedback
• Able to communicate clearly with colleagues
• Able to deliver on schedule, working calmly and efficiently under pressure

Bonus Points:

• Previous experience in feature animation as a rigger
• Previous experience with live capture workflows like facial and/or motion capture and digital puppetry
• Familiarity with rez and/or pyblish
• Previous Blender add-on/extension development experience

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives. 

What we’ve got for you:

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
• Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies. 

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work .