Senior VFX Artist & Technical Director

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Career growth

Cutting-edge technology

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape is seeking a Senior VFX Artist & Technical Director to elevate visual storytelling for high-profile film and TV projects. You will drive innovation in the VFX pipeline and deliver photoreal imagery, bridging artistic creation with technical execution.

Join a world-class team, mentor junior artists, and stay at the cutting edge of VFX technology while delivering stunning shots that integrate seamlessly with live-action footage.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional VFX experience for film or television.
• Strong demo reel showcasing simulation, particle systems, and procedural generation.
• Expertise in Houdini, Maya, Nuke and related simulation packages.
• Proficiency in Python or VEX for tool development and pipeline automation.
• Strong artistic eye with good composition, color and lighting; collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design, create and implement high-quality VFX including simulations, particles and destruction.
• Develop and optimize VFX pipelines and tools to enhance efficiency and output.
• Collaborate with supervisors and directors to conceptually plan complex sequences.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges within the VFX pipeline and propose solutions.
• Mentor junior artists and stay current with new VFX technologies and techniques.
• Ensure seamless integration of VFX into live-action footage and coordinate with lighting/rendering.

Skills

VFX artist

Technical director

Python scripting

Team collaboration

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Nuke

Pyro FX

VOPs

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading visual effects studio based in the scenic city of George, Western Cape , and they are looking for an exceptionally talented Senior VFX Artist & Technical Director to elevate their visual storytelling capabilities. This role is crucial for driving innovation in our visual effects pipeline and delivering stunning, photorealistic imagery for high-profile film and television projects. You will be at the forefront of technological advancements, bridging the gap between artistic creation and technical execution. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking visual effects work, collaborate with a team of world-class artists, and play a key role in shaping the future of visual effects artistry in South Africa. We are deeply invested in pushing creative boundaries and seek a candidate who embodies this spirit. The ideal professional will thrive in a dynamic studio environment and possess a keen eye for detail and artistic quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, create, and implement high-quality visual effects, including simulations (fluids, fire, smoke), particle systems, destruction, and magical effects.
• Develop and optimize complex VFX pipelines and tools to enhance efficiency and artistic output.
• Collaborate with VFX supervisors and directors to conceptualize and execute complex visual sequences.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges within the VFX pipeline and provide innovative solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior VFX artists, providing technical and artistic feedback.
• Stay current with emerging VFX technologies, software, and techniques.
• Ensure the seamless integration of VFX elements into live-action footage.
• Work closely with other departments, such as lighting, rendering, and compositing, to achieve final shots.
• Contribute to the R&D of new tools and workflows.
• Manage assets and maintain organization within the VFX pipeline.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in visual effects for film or television.
• Proven track record of creating high-end VFX, with a strong demo reel showcasing expertise in simulation, particle systems, and procedural generation.
• Expertise in industry-standard VFX software such as Houdini, Maya, Nuke, and relevant simulation packages (e.g., Pyro FX, VOPs).
• Strong understanding of physics, dynamics, and real-world phenomena relevant to VFX.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or VEX for tool development and pipeline automation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically about technical challenges.
• Strong artistic eye with a good understanding of composition, color, and lighting.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills within a team environment.
• Experience with renderers like Mantra, Arnold, or Redshift is a plus.
• A passion for pushing the creative and technical boundaries of visual effects.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, excellent health and wellness benefits, and opportunities for continuous learning and career growth within a stimulating and creative atmosphere. Employees have the chance to work on visually stunning, international projects right here in George, Western Cape . We foster a collaborative culture and provide access to cutting-edge technology. This role is an incredible chance to make a significant impact in the visual effects industry.