Senior FX Artist – Houdini, Python & Pipeline Lead

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rising Sun Pictures is seeking a Senior FX Artist to design and deliver complex, production-ready FX for feature film and episodic projects. Based in Australia with Adelaide or Brisbane studios, remote arrangements within Australia are considered.

You will create high-end FX, optimize simulations, and develop pipelines, while collaborating with Supervisors, CG Leads and Production to ensure creative and technical alignment.

Qualifications

• Senior-level expertise in Houdini (procedural workflows, DOPs, VEX, simulation optimisation)
• Strong scripting ability in Python; working knowledge of HScript
• Advanced understanding of dynamics, natural phenomena and physically plausible motion
• Solid knowledge of shaders, CG lighting theory and rendering workflows
• Experience troubleshooting rendering and simulation performance issues
• Working knowledge of Maya, Nuke and industry-standard tracking software
• Strong understanding of the VFX pipeline, including interdepartmental dependencies and handovers
• Comfortable working in a Linux-based environment

Responsibilities

• Create high-end FX including rigid body dynamics, fluid and pyro simulations, cloth, and particle systems in Houdini
• Develop efficient, optimised setups that integrate seamlessly into the studio pipeline
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in Houdini scenes, simulations, shaders and rendering
• Write, debug and maintain tools using Python and HScript
• Assemble and modify shaders; create consistent lighting and render passes for compositing
• Produce basic FX composites to demonstrate integration with plates
• Optimise simulations and renders to meet schedule and budget requirements
• Collaborate with Supervisors, CG Leads and Production to align technical execution with creative briefs
• Support workflow improvements and contribute to pipeline and tool development
• Provide technical guidance to junior artists where required

Job description

Rising Sun Pictures is seeking a Senior FX Artist to design and deliver complex, production-ready FX for feature film and episodic projects. Based in Australia with Adelaide or Brisbane studios, remote arrangements within Australia are considered.

You will create high-end FX, optimize simulations, and develop pipelines, while collaborating with Supervisors, CG Leads and Production to ensure creative and technical alignment.