Senior FX Artist - Water focus

Vfxwire; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cinesite in Vancouver seeks an FX artist with 5+ years of experience to design, create and produce digital visual effects and simulations using Houdini, focusing on water simulations for film projects.

You will work under the FX Supervisor, collaborating to meet shot requirements, communicate progress, and ensure the look aligns with the director's vision. The role supports hybrid work arrangements and requires BC residency with a June 2026 start date.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as FX artist in animated films or photoreal VFX.
• Proficiency in Houdini.
• Strong physics and water simulation knowledge.
• Experience with HDAs/OTLs is a plus.
• Solaris and USD workflow experience is a plus.
• Experience with RenderMan/Arnold or similar renderers.
• Experience with Gaffer or Katana is a plus.
• Experience with lighting, rendering and FX look development.
• Experience with compositing FX in Nuke.

Responsibilities

• Create a wide range of stylized visual effects such as fluids, cloth, particles, pyro, magical and rigid body dynamics using Houdini.
• Collaborate with the Supervisor to understand the FX needs of individual shots and sequences to achieve technical and artistic objectives.
• Communicate progress, technical issues and challenges to supervisor and production coordinator.
• Adapt simulations to match the film's look, whether hyper-realistic or stylized.
• Organize, manage and maintain simulation files.
• Optimize simulations and renders within production resource constraints without sacrificing quality.

Tools

VEX scripting

Python scripting

Houdini

Solaris

USD workflow

RenderMan

Arnold

Gaffer

Katana

Nuke

Job description

Hiring Range : $100,000 to $120 000/year for a 40 hour work week

Start date: June 2026

Please note that only candidates holding a valid Canadian work authorization and residing in BC will be considered for this position.

Behind the scenes at Cinesite

Cinesite is an international visual effects and animation studio with over 30 years of experience in the film and television industry. We take pride in producing cutting-edge, award-winning works. We operate as a collective, where excellence, expertise, and creativity are valued by all.

The crew you’ll join

Under the supervision of the FX Supervisor, the FX artist is responsible for the design, creation and production of digital visual effects and various simulations using Houdini. This role is mainly focusing on water simulation.

The script

What your day will look like ?

• - Create a wide range of stylized visual effects such as fluids, cloth, particles, pyro, magical and rigid body dynamics using Houdini.
• - Collaborate with the Supervisor to understand the FX needs of individual shots and sequences in order to achieve technical and artistic objectives.
• - Communicate effectively with the supervisor and the production coordinator keeping them appraised of shot progress, technical issues and anticipated challenges.
• - Adapt simulations to match the specific "look" of the film, whether it’s hyper-realistic or highly stylized (Non-Photoreal).
• - Organize, manage and maintain the simulation files that have been created.
• - Optimize simulations and renders to be efficient Ensure within the production resources and constraints without sacrificing visual quality.

Your credits

• - More than 5 years' experience as an FX artist ideally in animated movies performing stylized simulations or in live action shows working on photoreal effects.
• - High proficiency in Houdini.
• - Good understanding of physics and natural phenomena, especially water simulation.
• - Knowledge of VEX scripting or python is a benefit.
• - Knowing how to create, manage, document and maintain HDAs/OTLs is a benefit.
• - Production experience with Solaris and USD workflow is a benefit.
• - Production experience with RenderMan, Arnold or equivalent modern raytrace renderers.
• - Production experience with Gaffer, Katana is a benefit.
• - Experience with lighting,rendering and look developing FX.
• - Experience with compositing and integrating FX elements in Nuke.
• - Familiarity with other areas of the production pipeline (modeling, animation/rigging, lighting, compositing) is an asset.
• - Multitask and work productively in a fast paced environment.
• - Strong problem-solving skills and communication skills.

The filmmaking experience at Cinesite

• - Immerse yourself in a creative and inspiring world where you evolve every day in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• - Maintain a balance between professional and personal life.
• - Actively contribute to Cinesite's success by sharing your expertise and passion with colleagues and Cinesite partners.
• - We have fully embraced hybrid work, offering our employees the flexibility to work from home, at the studio, or alternate between the two (with exceptions).
• - Learn more about our culture here.