Full Time
$750-900 / Month
40
Aug 8, 2026
FULL-TIME 2D CHARACTER RIGGER & ANIMATOR (RIVE) - US Startup
About us:
We are a US-based startup building a gamified education platform. Our animated mascot character is a core part of the product experience, and you will own it: how it moves, reacts, and dresses.
This is a long-term, full-time role, not a one-off project.
What you will do:
1. Build and maintain a 2D character rig in Rive (bones, meshes, weight painting, constraints)
2. Create character animations: idle loops, celebrations, reactions, seasonal
3. Build and wire state machines so animations respond to in-app events
4. Produce cosmetic items (outfits, glasses, accessories) as vector art fitted to the rig's templates
5. Work with our dev team on integration and keep files organized and documented
Requirements:
1. Strong portfolio of 2D character rigging AND animation. Rive strongly preferred. Expert-level Spine or Live2D considered if you are willing to work fully in Rive
2. Vector illustration skills (Figma or Illustrator)
3. Understanding of state machines and interactive/game-style animation, not just video animation
4. Good written English and reliable communication
5. Full-time availability with at least 2-3 hours of overlap with US Central time
Nice to have:
1. Mascot or app character experience
2. Game asset pipeline experience
3. Comfortable using AI tools to speed up production
Salary: $700 to $950 USD/month depending on experience, with room to grow as the company grows. 13th month pay. Paid weekly or bi-monthly, your preference.
How to apply:
1. Start your application with the word MASCOT so I know you read this post
2. Include a portfolio link showing at least one rigged character with multiple animations (required; applications without this will not be reviewed)
3. Tell me in 2-3 sentences which character in your portfolio you rigged yourself and what tool you used
We move fast and give real ownership. If you love character animation and want your work seen by thousands of users every day, apply.