Senior FX artist - Temporary contract

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rodeo FX, based in Montreal, seeks a senior Houdini FX artist to design photorealistic simulations for feature projects. You will drive complex effects from setup through rendering, collaborating with FX and CG teams to meet artistic and technical standards.

The role emphasizes autonomy, a strong portfolio in procedural FX, and the ability to adapt creative ideas to story pacing across high-end productions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years FX experience in a VFX studio (8years minimum recommended).
• Excellent command of Houdini (Pyro, Flip, RBD, Vellum, SOPs).
• Basic knowledge of compositing (Nuke) and rendering (Arnold and Karma).
• Knowledge of USD and Solaris.
• Good sense of movement, physics and visual rhythm.
• Rigor, autonomy, attention to detail, team spirit.
• Asset: knowledge of Flow Production Tracking, experience in developing Houdini tools, Python or VEX scripts.

Responsibilities

• Produce complex simulations (smoke, fire, explosions, liquids, destruction, magical or abstract effects) while respecting guidelines.
• Use Houdini effectively (Pyro, Flip, RBD, Vellum, SOPs) to generate optimized effects.
• Maintain autonomy in FX tasks from setup to final rendering.
• Ensure rigorous quality control of files, caches and workfiles.
• Propose simple, effective artistic solutions aligned with project vision.
• Participate in dailies and integrate feedback constructively.
• Adapt effects to narrative needs, visual style and scene pace.
• Improve shooting by adding value to simulations.
• Ensure cache optimization, setup stability and standards compliance.
• Identify technical problems and provide solutions.
• Collaborate with Pipeline to test new tools as needed.
• Check compatibility of effects with other departments.

Skills

Houdini

Pyro

Flip

RBD

Vellum

SOPs

Nuke

Arnold

Karma

USD

Solaris

Tools

Nuke

Arnold

Karma

Python

VEX

Job description

Repeatedly voted one of Montreal’s Top Employers and Employer of the Year for the 2022 Mercuriades Awards, Rodeo FX is a high-end creative company offering services in visual effects, advertising, animation, and experiential.

Nominated for multiple Emmy® Awards for its work on the series Stranger Things season 4, The Witcher season 2 and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power season 1, the independent, Oscar®-winning company boasts close to 900 artists crafting from studios in Montreal, Québec City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Paris.

Rodeo FX is a creative partner to the world’s best storytellers including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros. and Sony, and has collaborated on ads for YouTube, NBC and Apple. Current projects include Blue Beetle, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon. Recently released projects include John Wick: Chapter 4, Black Adam, Disney's The Little Mermaid and Love, Death and Robots Volume 3, for which the company won a 2023 VES award.

Job Description

Please note: We are looking for a senior-level Houdini artist with strong experience across a wide variety of photorealistic FX. Feature animation work will not be considered for this specific role.

The FX Artist designs and creates complex visual simulations such as fire, smoke, fluids, destructions, and abstract effects, while respecting Rodeo FX’s artistic and technical standards. Integrated at the heart of the 3D pipeline, they collaborate closely with the FX and CG supervision teams, as well as with other departments, to deliver photorealistic, dynamic, and technically solid shots.Their creativity, precision, and mastery of procedural tools allow them to effectively translate the project's visual intentions.

Main responsibilities:

Mastery of his craft

• Produce complex simulations (smoke, fire, explosions, liquids, destruction, magical or abstract effects) while respecting artistic and technical guidelines.
• Use Houdini effectively (Pyro, Flip, RBD, Vellum, SOPs) to generate optimized and adaptable effects.
• Maintain a high level of autonomy in the management of assigned FX tasks, from initial setup to final rendering.
• Ensure rigorous quality control of its files, caches and workfiles before any submission.
• Propose simple, effective artistic solutions aligned with the vision of the project.
• Actively participate in dailies and integrate feedback constructively.
• Adapt the effects to the narrative needs, visual style and pace of the scene.
• Improve shooting by adding creative value to simulations.
• Ensure cache optimization, setup stability and compliance with internal technical conventions.
• Quickly identify technical problems and provide functional solutions.
• Collaborate with the Pipeline team to integrate or test new tools as needed by the project.
• Check the compatibility of effects with other departments (layout, lighting, comp).

Communication

• Provide realistic estimates, communicate quickly if there are difficulties or risks of delay, and collaborate with production to adjust priorities if necessary.
• Maintain a fluid and respectful exchange with production, leads and artists from other disciplines.
• Communicate clearly about issues, deadlines, needs or technical limitations.
• Actively participate in turnovers, briefings or progress monitoring with the project team.

Learn, transmit and evolve

• Stay up to date with the latest practices, techniques and references in visual effects.
• Share your knowledge, tools or techniques with your colleagues.
• Participate in documenting or improving the working methods of the FX department.
• Welcome feedback with openness with a view to continuous progress.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in FX in a VFX studio (8years minimum recommended).
• Excellent command of Houdini (Pyro, Flip, RBD, Vellum, SOPs).
• Basic knowledge of compositing (Nuke) and rendering (Arnold and Karma).
• Knowledge of USD and Solaris.
• Good sense of movement, physics and visual rhythm.
• Rigor, autonomy, attention to detail, team spirit.
• Asset: knowledge of Flow Production Tracking, experience in developing Houdini tools, Python or VEX scripts.

Additional Information

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Rodeo FX, diversity is a core value. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where different perspectives are embraced. Every team member brings unique insight that strengthens our creativity, challenges our thinking, and helps us deliver better work.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Rodeo FX may use AI-based tools to support certain steps of the recruitment process, such as interview transcription or preliminary application analysis. These tools may be operated by third-party providers, and data may be processed outside Quebec. These tools never replace human decision-making: all final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers. To learn more about how we protect your personal information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy.