About the role
Responsibilities
- Work in partnership with modelers, animators, texture artists, lighters, compositors, and various games teams to ensure FX are delivered to the highest standard.
- Create simulations and systems that mimic real-life phenomena such as smoke, fire, and water.
- Design and implement abstract magical and technological effects.
- Perform basic compositing for FX slap-comps for review by the supervision team.
- Utilize procedural tools, methodologies, and game engines.
- Priorities may change in a fast-paced environment; duties and responsibilities may be changed as directed by the Company at any time.
Working Conditions
- Duration: Roughly a 4-month temporary position.
- Start Date: Mid-December or mid-January.
- Location: The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.
- Work Model: Anticipated to be a hybrid position with some work on-site and some work-from-home. Potential to explore other arrangements, including remote work.
Minimum Requirements
Experience
- 8+ years' experience working in a professional Gaming/Animation/VFX company producing feature film quality effects in Houdini.
- Extensive experience with particle systems, fluid dynamics, rigid body dynamics, and procedural systems.
Knowledge & Skills
- Good understanding of physical dynamics and natural phenomena.
- Familiarity with feature film level pipelines and their respective issues.
- Proven track record creating effects such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam, explosions, magic, etc.
- A trained creative eye for conceptual and practical discussions regarding effect requirements.
- Experience with node-based compositing software such as Nuke.
- Experience with real-time VFX within a modern Game Engine (e.g., Unreal, Unity).
- Experience using PDG to execute caching and rendering processes.
- Experience/familiarity with USD FX deliverables.
Key Attributes
- Able to problem solve both technically and creatively in a collaborative environment with directors and art directors.
- Able to stay current with the latest tools, technologies, and techniques.
Extra Points
- Experience with VEX.
- Experience with C++ or Python.
- Working knowledge of Houdini’s Solaris lighting context (LOPS) and Karma, Mantra, RenderMan, or Redshift renderers.
- Shipped a AAA game title.
Compensation
- Pay Range: $45.48 - $84.13 Hourly.
- Factors determining offer: Relevant experience, performance, and work location.
- Incentive compensation: Employees may be eligible for incentive compensation (not guaranteed).
Benefits
- Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA), healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance.
- Financial: 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching.
- Time Off: Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave.
- Programs: Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games.
- Voluntary Benefits: Supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance.
- Relocation: Eligibility for relocation assistance if the Company requires a move.
- Note: Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part-time and temporary full-time employees and interns.