3D Rigger / Technical Animator — Complex Machinery (Blender)
About Mainstay Digital We create high-end 3D experiences for B2B clients, from interactive videos and 3D product animations to AR demos and product stills. Our work helps technical sales teams showcase complex products in immersive, accessible ways.
About the Role
We're looking for a specialized 3D rigger and technical animator to bring complex machinery to life. This isn't character work — it's mechanical motion: industrial robots, packaging machines, conveyor systems, and full production lines that need to move convincingly and accurately. The core of the job is building rigs and animations that make these machines work, often as seamless looping animations suitable for trade shows, product marketing, and interactive experiences. You'll take engineering-driven models and turn them into believable mechanical motion that holds up under close scrutiny from technical audiences. This is project-based contract work for an experienced specialist who can own the rigging and animation pipeline from brief to delivery with minimal direction. What We Need A 3D rigger / technical animator who can:
- Rig complex mechanical assemblies — robots, packaging equipment, multi-stage production lines — with correct mechanical relationships and constraints
- Animate that machinery so it moves accurately and believably (synchronized motion, mechanical logic, cause-and-effect across linked parts)
- Build clean, perfectly seamless looping animations for continuous playback
- Work efficiently with high part-count, technically detailed models
- Make strong motion and timing decisions independently
- Communicate proactively, flag issues early, and meet deadlines consistently
Requirements
- Several years of professional 3D rigging and technical/mechanical animation experience (studio, agency, or freelance)
- Expert-level Blender workflow — this is required, not negotiable. All work is done in Blender.
- Demonstrated experience rigging and animating mechanical or industrial subjects (not just characters or organic motion)
- Proven ability to build seamless looping animations
- Comfort working with constraints, drivers, and rig logic to drive complex linked motion
- Portfolio showing complete mechanical rigs and animations, with your specific contributions clearly outlined
Bonus Skills
- Scripting for rigging automation and procedural motion
- Experience with industrial/manufacturing equipment or robotics
- Real-time engine experience, especially baking or adapting mechanical animation for real-time playback
- Familiarity with CAD-derived geometry and cleanup for animation
How to Apply
Please submit:
- A brief intro explaining why you're a great fit for mechanical rigging and animation
- Your portfolio, with your role on each project clearly noted — prioritize examples of rigged/animated machinery
- Any relevant Python, automation, or real-time engine experience
Contract Details This is an independent contractor position, not full-time employment. Work is project-based with strong potential for ongoing collaboration. We have a steady pipeline of projects and are looking for long-term relationships with reliable talent. You'll work within our pipeline by remoting into our machines, so no need to provide your own software or hardware. Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour Application Question(s):
- How many years of professional experience do you have rigging and animating mechanical subjects (machines, robots, industrial equipment) in Blender? Please describe specific projects you delivered end-to-end.
- Describe your approach to building seamless looping animations of working machinery. What techniques do you use to keep complex, multi-part motion synchronized and convincing?
- How comfortable are you rigging high part-count assemblies (e.g. a full production line) using constraints, drivers, and rig logic in Blender? Share an example if you can.
- Are you comfortable working remotely by connecting to a client's machine and working within an established pipeline and file structure? Please describe any similar remote workflow experience you've had.
- This position offers a compensation range of $20–$30 per hour, as listed in the job posting. Can you confirm that this range is acceptable to you?
Work Location: Remote