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!
Rigging Technical Artist (Temp) - NBA 2K
Location
California
Posted
20 hours ago
Salary
$37 - $57 / hour
Job Description
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
Who Will Be A Great Fit:
- 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!)
Nice To Have:
- 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
This is a fully remote role that may be based anywhere in the United States. Below are the expected salary and wage ranges for applicants based in locations where the pay transparency law is in effect: California: $41p/hr - $57p/hr. New York State (inclusive of New York City): $37p/hr - $51p/hr. Washington: $41p/hr - $57p/hr. New Jersey: $37p/hr - $51p/hr. British Columbia: CAD $34p/hr - $48p/hr. 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, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans 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.
To learn more about Visual Concepts and our studio locations, check out our website at www.vcentertainment.com
Benefits
- 401(K), 401(K) matching, Childcare benefits, Commuter benefits, Company-sponsored outings, Dedicated diversity and inclusion staff, Dental insurance, Disability insurance, Volunteer in local community, Employee stock purchase plan, Family medical leave, Fitness stipend, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Flexible work schedule, Free daily meals, Generous PTO, Health insurance, Job training & conferences, Open door policy, Life insurance, Charitable contribution matching, Paid volunteer time, Online course subscriptions available, Onsite gym, Open office floor plan, Paid holidays, Paid sick days, Partners with nonprofits, Performance bonus, Pet insurance, Promote from within, Relocation assistance, Free snacks and drinks, Team based strategic planning, OKR operational model, Team workouts, Mandated unconscious bias training, Vision insurance, Wellness programs, Some meals provided, Mental health benefits, Diversity employee resource groups, Hiring practices that promote diversity, Fertility benefits, Employee resource groups, Hybrid work model, Diversity recruitment program
