Senior FX Technical Director: Prototyping & Houdini Systems

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

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