Houdini Workflow TD

About the role

Image Engine, a VFX studio in Vancouver founded in 1995, is hiring a Houdini Workflow TD on a 1-year project contract. The role supports and guides Houdini-based artists and TDs, acting as the technical advocate mainly for the FX department but also influencing CFX, Grooming, Modelling and Environment departments. It turns show-specific technical and creative needs into reusable facility tools and workflows.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the main workflow problem-solver, educator and experience optimizer for all departments using Houdini
• Determine facility solutions to creative and technical challenges with the Workflow Supervisor, focusing on standardizing and streamlining processes across shows and departments
• Guide, support and educate Houdini users, and consult department leads to standardize workflows
• Design and maintain facility HDAs and templates with intuitive, artist-friendly tools
• Support artists, supervisors and production crew in the flow of data through the pipeline, and act as an extra point of support for shot-based issues
• Triage production technical issues and liaise with IT, Development or third-party vendors as needed
• Communicate successes and challenges to the Workflow Supervisor and help adopt new processes through training and documentation

Required profile

• Proven experience developing tools for VFX feature films
• Degree or equivalent in Computer Graphics, Computer Science or a related field
• Interest in multiple areas of VFX production and software development (asset management, support, colour science, lighting, FX, etc.) is a plus
• Prior production experience or work as an FX artist/lead is highly regarded
• Candidates must be based in British Columbia and eligible to work in Canada

Required skills

• Experience developing and supporting Houdini tools
• Advanced knowledge of procedural scene assembly tools such as Gaffer, Katana or Houdini Solaris, and working knowledge of Maya, Nuke or equivalent
• Working knowledge of Arnold or an equivalent offline renderer
• Experience with Shotgun, RV and production asset management systems
• Strong Python and strong understanding of CG shot production workflow

What we offer

• Salary of $124,800 to $137,800 per year for a 40-hour week
• Extended healthcare from day 1, premiums 100% covered by Image Engine
• Up to 8 paid Health and Wellness days per year