Senior Technical Artist (Houdini FX)

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive rate

Cutting-edge tech

Project bonuses

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown invites a Senior Technical Artist with deep Houdini FX expertise to join our dynamic VFX studio. You will develop procedural workflows, build tools, and support the pipeline across high-profile projects.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in VFX, expert Houdini (SOPs/DOPs/VOPs/VEX), Python, and experience with Maya, 3ds Max, Arnold, Redshift, and Nuke. You will collaborate with FX teams and mentor juniors.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in technical art or FX TD in VFX.
• Expert Houdini with SOPs, DOPs, VOPs and VEX.
• Experience creating complex simulations and procedural generation.
• Strong physics, math and CG knowledge for FX.
• Scripting in Python.
• Familiar with Maya, 3ds Max, Arnold, Redshift and Nuke.
• Bachelor's degree in CG, VFX, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Houdini-based tools and procedural assets for VFX pipelines.
• Create complex simulations (destruction, fluids, particles, cloth) using Houdini.
• Collaborate with FX artists, TDs and supervisors to define requirements and deliver results.
• Optimize Houdini setups and simulations for efficient rendering and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges within the FX pipeline.
• Stay abreast of Houdini developments and related VFX tech.
• Provide technical guidance to junior artists.
• Develop and document workflows and best practices for Houdini usage.
• Integrate Houdini assets into downstream pipelines (Maya, Nuke).

Skills

Houdini expert

Python scripting

CG principles

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in CG/VFX or equivalent

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Arnold

Redshift

Nuke

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative visual effects studio based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Technical Artist with a strong focus on Houdini FX. This role is crucial for developing cutting-edge procedural workflows, creating complex simulations, and supporting the VFX pipeline across various high-profile projects. You will be instrumental in building Houdini tools, developing sophisticated FX setups, and optimizing assets for rendering and integration. The ideal candidate possesses an expert-level understanding of Houdini, including SOPs, DOPs, VOPs, and VEX, along with a strong foundation in CG principles. This is an exceptional opportunity to push creative boundaries and contribute to visually spectacular effects in a collaborative and forward-thinking studio environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Houdini-based tools and procedural assets for VFX pipelines.
• Create complex simulations (e.g., destruction, fluids, particles, cloth) using Houdini.
• Collaborate with FX artists, TDs, and supervisors to define requirements and deliver high-quality results.
• Optimize Houdini setups and simulations for efficient rendering and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges within the FX pipeline.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in Houdini and related VFX technologies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to junior artists.
• Develop and document workflows and best practices for Houdini usage.
• Integrate Houdini assets and simulations into downstream pipelines (e.g., Maya, Nuke).

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience as a Technical Artist or FX Technical Director in visual effects.
• Expert proficiency in Houdini, including SOPs, DOPs, VOPs, and VEX scripting.
• Demonstrated experience in creating complex simulations and procedural generation techniques.
• Strong understanding of physics, mathematics, and CG principles relevant to FX.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python.
• Familiarity with industry-standard DCC tools (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max) and renderers (e.g., Arnold, Redshift).
• Knowledge of compositing software (e.g., Nuke) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics, VFX, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive contract rate, commensurate with experience and skill level. Access to cutting-edge technology and a stimulating work environment is guaranteed. Project-based performance bonuses are available. The studio prides itself on a collaborative and innovative culture in Queenstown, Eastern Cape , providing opportunities for professional growth and exposure to exciting, visually ambitious projects. Join a team that is passionate about pushing the boundaries of visual effects.