Creative Technologist (Freelance)

Hovercraft; United States; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

Hovercraft is seeking Creative Technologists to advance interactive experiences through collaboration across various mediums. This role involves building real-time graphics systems, web projects, and installations, handling everything from prototypes to delivery.

The ideal candidate should possess strong coding skills, familiarity with AI tools, and a desire to stay current with modern development practices. A positive attitude and strong collaborative spirit are essential for thriving in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Strong generative / creative coding background in WebGL or Three.js.
• Experience with TouchDesigner for interactive systems and hardware integration.
• Solid backend fundamentals with REST APIs and cloud services.
• Experience in media file conversion and delivering various media assets.
• Fluency with Git, GitHub, and cloud/server workflows.

Responsibilities

• Build interactive experiences and real-time graphics systems.
• Collaborate with designers and tech directors on various projects.
• Support custom-built technology solutions from prototype to delivery.

Skills

Generative / creative coding

Experience with TouchDesigner

Solid backend fundamentals

Media file conversion and optimization

Source control and deployment fluency

Software engineering practices

Working knowledge of AI tools

Experience with 3D tools

Familiarity with physical computing

Experience with physical lighting systems

AV systems integration knowledge

Electrical engineering fundamentals

AR/VR/XR project experience

Job description

Hovercraft is a dynamic and innovative creative design firm that partners with brands to craft compelling experiences through design, strategy, and technology. We specialize in creating standout visuals, interactive digital content, and impactful branding solutions that push the boundaries of creativity.

Overview

We're looking for freelance Creative Technologists to help push the studio's work forward across a growing range of mediums. You'll work closely with our tech team, tech directors, designers and producers to build interactive experiences, real-time graphics systems, web projects, video games, and physical installations. We often carry projects from inception through completion — prototype, develop, deliver, and support our custom-built technology solutions. The tech team’s work is centered around software but includes hardware integration, travel, client-facing interactions, and being embedded in the larger creative and problem-solving process.

Core Technical Skills

We're open to collaborating with generalists and specialists alike.

Software:

• Strong generative / creative coding background - WebGL, Three.js, react-three-fiber, GLSL, or comparable real-time graphics experience
• Experience with TouchDesigner for interactive systems, hardware integration, and high-performance graphics
• Solid backend fundamentals and comfort with REST APIs, content management systems, and cloud services for data-driven applications
• Media file conversion, optimization, and delivery experience - you understand the formats and constraints of working with a wide variety of media assets (image/video/audio/3d) in interactive contexts
• Source control and deployment fluency: Git, GitHub, basic cloud/server workflows
• A solid grasp of software engineering practices - you think about stability, edge cases, version control, and QA
• A commitment to staying current with modern development tools and workflows, including build tools, AI-assisted coding & agents, and automation
• Working knowledge of current AI tools for creative pipelines: Computer vision, generative media, etc.
• Experience with Windows scripting, tooling, and troubleshooting, as most of our projects run on Windows PCs
• Experience with 3D tools (Blender, Cinema4D, Maya) or motion design (After Effects, Cavalry)
• Familiarity with physical computing: depth cameras, LIDAR, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, custom electronics, RFID, sensor arrays, computer vision, and novel HCI technologies
• Experience with physical lighting systems - DMX/ArtNet/etc., spatial mapping, electrical systems & power distribution
• Familiarity with AV systems integration and industry standards (projectors, LED walls, sound systems, media servers, etc.)
• Electrical engineering or fabrication fundamentals
• AR/VR/XR or spatial computing project experience

Growth Areas We're Actively Investing In

• Unreal Engine / Notch - real-time 3D, XR production, high-resolution environments
• Media server experience (Disguise, Pixera, or similar)
• Deeper electrical & mechanical engineering expertise
• Small-scale fabrication and material prototyping skills

Soft Skills That Matter Here

• Design & Quality Mindset:Strong design and craft sensibilities; understands what “Hovercraft quality” means, both visually and technically.
• Ownership & Accountability:Takes initiative, makes decisions autonomously, estimates and manages work effectively, and advocates for timelines, testing, and quality.
• Communication & Collaboration:Proactively shares progress, flags blockers early, keeps stakeholders informed, and works effectively within cross-functional teams and production pipelines.
• Adaptability & Resilience:Maintains a positive, solutions-oriented attitude while navigating changing scope, creative direction, technical constraints, and tight deadlines across multiple projects.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning:Demonstrates a genuine passion for learning, experimentation, R&D, prototyping, and exploring new tools and creative technologies.

Recruitment Notice

We use AI-assisted tools solely to help identify and highlight keywords related to critical design skills and relevant experience within applications. These tools support our recruiting team by improving consistency and efficiency; they do not make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed by humans, and AI is not used in a discriminatory manner or to evaluate personal characteristics unrelated to job requirements.

Data Protection & Privacy Disclaimer

By submitting your application materials, you acknowledge that your personal data may be collected, used, and stored for recruitment and hiring purposes. We process personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA.

Your information will be used solely for recruitment-related activities and will not be shared with third parties except as required by law or with your explicit consent. Depending on your location, you may have rights such as access, correction, deletion, objection, or limitation of processing (GDPR), as well as the right to know, delete, and opt out of certain data uses (CCPA/CPRA). You may exercise these rights at any time by contacting us at [e-mail].