Lead Artist (Houdini)

MCG Talent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A creative studio in Greater London is searching for a Lead Houdini Artist specializing in motion design and VFX. This role focuses on delivering high-quality work and direct engagement with clients while ensuring projects meet deadlines and quality standards. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience, a strong portfolio showcasing Houdini work, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. Responsibilities include leading project execution, managing feedback loops, and providing technical mentorship within teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working with Houdini in motion design, VFX, or related fields.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating procedural workflows, simulations, and high-end visual output.
• Proven ability to work in client-facing roles and manage feedback effectively.
• Experience with production pipelines and collaborative workflows; familiar with task management systems.
• Solid understanding of rendering workflows (Redshift, Arnold, Karma, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation of high-quality Houdini-based simulations and VFX.
• Take ownership of projects from brief to final delivery.
• Act as a client-facing representative during key delivery stages.
• Troubleshoot and optimize complex scenes, simulations, and workflows.
• Take ownership of projects from brief to final delivery and manage timelines.

Skills

Houdini

Client-facing roles

Procedural workflows

Production pipelines

Communication

Real-time environments

Creative direction

Tools

Redshift

Arnold

Karma

Karma

Job description

Job Title: Lead Houdini Artist (Motion Design / VFX)

Reporting to: Creative Director / Head of Production

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Houdini Artist to join a high-performing, agile creative team in the UAE. This role is positioned as a senior, hands‑on specialist, focused on delivering exceptional Houdini-based work across motion design, VFX, and real‑time pipelines.

This is not a traditional team management role. Instead, the Lead will act as a right hand to leadership, bringing strong ownership, technical depth, and the ability to drive projects end‑to‑end. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable working directly with clients, guiding internal teams, and executing complex Houdini work themselves.

Key Responsibilities

Creative & Technical Execution

• Lead the creation of high-quality Houdini-based simulations, procedural systems, and visual effects
• Deliver hands‑on work across motion design, VFX, and real‑time environments
• Ensure creative output aligns with client expectations and project briefs
• Troubleshoot and optimize complex scenes, simulations, and workflows

Project Ownership & Delivery

• Take full ownership of projects from brief through to final delivery
• Manage feedback loops between clients and internal teams, ensuring clarity and efficiency
• Oversee project flow using task management systems and production pipelines
• Ensure deadlines, quality standards, and deliverables are consistently met

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a confident, client‑facing representative during key stages of delivery
• Translate client requirements into actionable creative and technical direction
• Bridge the gap between creative output and client expectations
• Brief, guide, and support team members to ensure strong execution
• Provide mentorship and technical input without formal line management responsibility
• Step in to support operational delivery when needed, ensuring continuity across projects

Target Background / Ideal Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates coming from:

• Motion design studios with strong use of Houdini in their pipelines
• VFX houses, particularly within commercial and advertising environments
• Select game development studios where Houdini is embedded in the production pipeline
• Candidates should be experienced in fast‑paced, client‑driven environments with a strong balance of creativity and technical skill.

Key Requirements

• 5+ years of experience working with Houdini in motion design, VFX, or related fields
• Strong portfolio demonstrating procedural workflows, simulations, and high‑end visual output
• Proven ability to work in client‑facing roles and manage feedback effectively
• Experience with production pipelines, task management systems, and collaborative workflows
• Strong understanding of rendering workflows (Redshift, Arnold, Karma, or similar)