Shape the future of character performance at one of the industry’s leading game studios.
About Insomniac Games
Insomniac Games is an independent video game developer and publisher, known for first-person shooters like Red Orchestra, the wildly popular Killing Floor series, and more recently the action RPG Maneater. We’ve built our reputation on delivering award-winning, visually striking, and technically groundbreaking experiences.
Our independence means we work on our own timetables to craft games with a singular voice that reflects our vision. With a collaborative environment and flexible remote work options, we push the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive entertainment.
Schedule
- Type: Contract, Full-Time
- Location: Remote (United States only)
- Compensation: $75 – $87 per hour (based on experience)
- Benefits: Eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage
Responsibilities
- Author high-quality photorealistic facial rigs based on FACS using blendshapes.
- Build rigging systems to support or augment blendshape-based facial rigs.
- Integrate head and body rigs seamlessly.
- Collaborate with Character Art, Animation, and Engineering teams to deliver animator- and mocap-friendly assets.
- Develop tools for authoring and editing rigs (Python, PyQt/PySide).
- Contribute to automation workflows for runtime optimization.
- Support facial animation systems including solvers and R&D (Python/C++/Machine Learning).
- Sculpt and refine FACS using deformers or sculpting tools.
- Process and clean 3D/4D scan data from facial capture sessions.
- Stay current with state-of-the-art facial rigging techniques for film and games.
- Implement shape transfer pipelines and workflows.
- May direct actors during FACS sessions and manage external vendor integrations.
- Mentor other TDs on rigging, sculpting, and solving techniques.
Requirements
- Expert-level experience with Maya.
- Strong understanding of FACS and facial anatomy.
- Skilled in ZBrush, Mudbox, Wrap3, or equivalent for scan processing.
- Solid experience with deformation transfer workflows.
- Familiarity with real-time game engines (Unity, Unreal) and performance optimization.
- Knowledge of facial performance capture, solving, and scanning methods (lightstage, 4D).
- Strong understanding of facial skeletal and muscle anatomy.
- Collaborative mindset with a passion for iteration, refinement, and pushing visual fidelity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with machine learning for scanning, authoring, or solving (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
- Plugin development skills in Python or C++.
- Previous experience in AAA games or film.
- Background working with realtime facial assets in production environments.
Benefits
- Competitive hourly compensation ($75 – $87/hr).
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits (contract role eligible).
- Work remotely from anywhere in the US.
- Collaborate with some of the best artists, engineers, and animators in the industry.
If you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of character realism and enjoy working at the cutting edge of facial technology, this role is for you.
Happy Hunting,
~Two Chicks…