Freelance: Lead FX Technical Director

Framestore Limited; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Framestore Limited in New York is seeking a Lead FX Technical Director for a freelance engagement from Sept 2026 through May 2027. The role combines artistic leadership with technical execution of complex naturalistic effects for characters and creatures.

Remote work is allowed from within the USA, but a hybrid setup is encouraged and on-site meetings may be requested in the New York area. Ideal candidates will have strong Houdini, Maya, Python scripting, and deep experience with cloth, fur,

Qualifications

• Senior/lead experience in character dynamics and FX pipelines.
• Ability to mentor teams and set technical/artistic standards.
• Strong scripting and tool development in Python/VEX/HScript.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor FX TDs, establish standards for character and environmental FX.
• Design and stress-test production setups for hero cloth, fur, skin and muscle simulations.
• Run hero-level simulations, perform shot sculpting and produce composites for delivery.
• Coordinate with departments to ensure smooth asset handoffs and resolve bottlenecks.
• Provide feedback to ensure outputs meet targets and visuals expectations.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Unix shell scripting

Python scripting

VEX

HScript

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Vellum

Carbon

FLIP

VEX

Python tooling

Houdini HDK / Maya API

Job description

This is a freelance position within the New York team, candidates must be available from roughly September 2026 thru May 2027.

Remote work is acceptable (from within the USA), but hybrid is encouraged and you may need to come into the office upon request. Ideal candidates will be based in the New York area, and must have valid US work authorization at time of hire.

The Lead FX Technical Director oversees the artistic vision and technical execution of complex naturalistic physical effects while maintaining specialized authority over character and creature dynamics (cloth, fur, hair, skin, and muscle simulations).

As the Lead, you will serve as a primary technical mentor, driving best practices for procedural simulations, pipeline architecture, and physical fidelity while also acting as communication point for Supervisors and Artists for both technical and artistic decisions.

What you’ll do

• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of CFX and FX Technical Directors, setting artistic and technical standards for complex character dynamic simulations and environmental FX

• Design, build, and stress-test production setups for complex character/creature FX (hero cloth, hair/fur groom dynamics, skin drift, and tissue/muscle deformation) alongside traditional FX

• Run hero-level shot simulations, perform shot sculpting, apply lighting and shaders, and produce reviewable composites for final delivery

• Partner with other departments to ensure seamless asset handoffs and resolve inter-departmental pipeline bottlenecks

• Conduct regular artistic and technical reviews, providing clear, constructive feedback to team members to ensure output aligns with project targets and visual expectations

• High-level mastery of Houdini (including Vellum, Carbon, FLIP, and VEX) and Maya

• Proven track record in a senior or lead capacity, with deep specialization in character dynamics (cloth, fur/hair, skin, and muscle system simulations)

• Exceptional understanding of animation principles, physical dynamics, real-world motion, and creature anatomy/biomechanics

• Advanced scripting and tool development skills in Python, VEX, and HScript within a Linux operating environment

• Deep familiarity with end-to-end visual effects pipelines, including multi-package asset transfer and cross-departmental dependency management

• Solid working knowledge of lighting/rendering tools (Arnold, V-Ray) and compositing software (Nuke) for element integration and preview renders

• Strong creative problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to troubleshoot complex technical barriers under strict production timelines

• Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical challenges into actionable guidance for artists and supervisors alike

You might also have

• Programming experience in C/C++ with exposure to the Houdini HDK or Maya API

• Advanced Unix shell scripting and experience navigating USD (Universal Scene Description) pipelines

New York Employees Pay Range:

$600 - $800 per day

The posted range describes the minimum to maximum range for this job description in the state of New York. The range is posted in accordance with the New York Pay Transparency Bill. The range for this same position may be lower or higher in markets outside of New York City. Pay is dependent on the applicant's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Accessibility Statement

Our New Yorkstudio is fully accessible, with step-free entry, accessible toilets on all floors, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to supporting disabled colleagues and providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Application Process

We review all applications manually and do not use artificial intelligence to screen candidates. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let us know—we are happy to accommodate your needs.