Senior Effects Technical Director

Industrial Light & Magic; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Industrial Light & Magic in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior Effects Technical Director to design advanced, procedural FX pipelines and simulations for feature films and episodic content. You will drive visually distinctive, efficient solutions and contribute to both stylized and realistic effects across multiple shots.

As a senior technical leader, you will mentor artists, collaborate with FX Supervisors, and push the boundaries of creative and technical excellence while solving complex

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Senior Effects Technical Director in feature films and/or episodic TV.
• Advanced proficiency in Houdini for FX authoring and pipeline setup.
• Experience with Linux and scripting for tools development and automation.

Responsibilities

• Visual Development & Rapid Prototyping: Translate briefs into visual directions and develop quick look-dev tests and comps for Directors and VFX Supervisors.
• Technical Setup Architecture: Design and build procedural FX systems (RBD, fluid, cloth, particle) for large-scale shots and ensure consistency across sequences.
• User-Centric Engineering & Rendering: Organize master setups, optimize workflows, and create shaders to reduce render times.
• Troubleshooting: Resolve complex technical problems and debug simulations and renders on the floor.
• Collaboration, Support & Mentorship: Partner with FX Supervisors/Leads, provide walkthroughs and mentorship to artists.
• Engages in talent development within the effects department and supports colleagues.

Skills

Procedural FX systems

Houdini

Scripting (Linux)

Problem solving

Collaboration/mentorship

Rapid prototyping

Rendering workflows

Tools

Houdini

Job description

Job Summary:

Job Requirements Position Summary: At ILM, Senior Effects Technical Directors operate at the intersection of aesthetic design and technical simulation, tasked with creating advanced procedural setups, simulations, and particle and fluid systems for feature films and episodic series. We seek an artist with strong problem-solving abilities and a keen creative eye, capable of translating vague briefs into distinct visual options through rapid prototyping to establish a creative direction for both stylized effects and natural phenomena.

The ideal candidate is capable of building comprehensive systems that empower the broader team to efficiently execute complex tasks across multiple shots. They thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment and consistently strive to deliver work of the highest quality.

• Visual Development & Rapid Prototyping: Translate conceptual, often vague briefs into multiple distinct visual directions. Develop quick but highly polished look-dev tests and slap comps to help Directors and VFX Supervisors easily understand and lock in the creative language for both complex stylized phenomena and highly realistic natural simulations.
• Technical Setup Architecture: Design and build comprehensive, highly procedural FX systems from scratch—including RBD, fluid, cloth, and particle simulations. Set up and wrangle these simulations for large-scale, effects-driven visual effects shots, ensuring master setups output consistent results across entire sequences.
• User-Centric Engineering & Rendering: Ensure master setups are logically organized, optimized, and ready for handover, removing technical friction so shot artists of varying skill levels can run them efficiently. Establish baseline rendering and lighting workflows, and create or modify surface and volumetric shaders to reduce render times and maintain visual consistency across the broader team.
• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Serve as a key technical resource for the show. Solve complex technical problems and debug intricate simulation and rendering issues once setups are deployed to the wider floor. Pick up new techniques quickly and with ease, continuously raising the benchmark for quality and efficiency.
• Collaboration, Support, & Mentorship: Partner iteratively with FX Supervisors and Leads to refine effects through both the visual exploration and technical build phases. Drive seamless handovers by providing clear walkthroughs and documentation, while actively mentoring, coaching, and offering creative and technical guidance to artists of all levels.
• Extensive experience as a Senior Effects Technical Director in feature films and/or episodic TV.
• Ability to work with proficiency, energy, and passion within a team environment.
• Engages in the creative process with an inclusive and encouraging approach.
• Demonstrates an excellent aesthetic eye and has the technical know-how to achieve a desired look.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving abilities and proactively contributes ideas and suggestions.
• Advanced proficiency in most aspects within Houdini.
• Experience and interest in contributing to talent development in the effects department.
• Linux and scripting proficiency.
• Please provide a demo reel that showcases your experience and technical skills.

This position is with ILM (UK) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.

ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.