Senior Effects Technical Director

2 Months ago • 5-7 Years • Animation • $97,700 PA - $119,000 PA

About the job

Job Description

The Senior Effects Technical Director at ILM is responsible for generating high-quality visual effects for feature films. This role involves creating FX animation, procedural and dynamic simulations, particle and fluid systems, and completing lighting, rendering, and compositing of complex shots. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of professional VFX experience (7 years without a degree), a strong aesthetic eye, excellent teamwork skills, and proficiency in software like Houdini, Maya, or 3DS Max. Responsibilities also include data management, optimizing workflows, providing accurate time estimates, mentoring junior artists, and actively participating in dailies. The position is hybrid, requiring 2-3 days of on-site work per week in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Must have:
  • 5+ years VFX experience
  • Proficiency in Houdini/Maya/3DS Max
  • Strong simulation skills
  • Excellent aesthetic sense
  • Teamwork and communication
Good to have:
  • Python scripting
  • Linux experience
  • Mentoring experience

Job Posting Title:

Senior Effects Technical Director

Req ID:

10101928

Job Description:

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

The Senior Effects TD operates independently to generate FX animation, procedural simulation, dynamic simulation, particle and fluid systems for feature film visual effects. They also complete lighting, rendering and moderate-level compositing of complex shots with guidance from their Supervisors.

ILM strives to be an inclusive environment, and the FX team embraces promising individuals with a variety backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do

  • Comprehend and execute direction from Effects Supervisor and VFX Supervisor.

  • Design and build FX animation, procedural simulation, dynamic simulation, particle and fluid systems for complex shots.

  • Apply simple lighting and composition techniques to present work in context

  • Hand off elements to other departments i.e. comp and rendering teams

  • Data management of shots. Responsible for helping optimize production workflows, including managing renders, downstream data and cleanup.

  • Provide accurate time estimates for shotwork. Maintain or exceed a consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work

  • Participate as a team member in achieving various aesthetic solutions; provides feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis

  • May be responsible for acting as a “mentor” to more junior FX artists.

What We’re Looking For

  • At least 5 years relevant professional VFX experience and at least a college level diploma in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR at least 7 years relevant professional VFX experience in lieu of education.

  • Demonstrates an excellent aesthetic eye

  • Exhibits strong teamwork and interdisciplinary thinking

  • Production pipeline experience

  • Strong communication and follow-through

  • Ability to work under pressure and deadlines

  • Solid understanding of the physics of simulation

  • Linux and scripting ability in Python

  • Advanced simulation experience with either Houdini, Maya, 3DS Max or other software, and the ability to write expressions. Ability and interest to learn new proprietary tools.

Join ILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$122,400 to C$149,300 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

ILM Vancouver

Job Posting Primary Business:

ILM Vancouver

Primary Job Posting Category:

Effects Design

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2024-09-20
View Full Job Description
$97.7K - $119.0K/yr (Outscal est.)
$108.3K/yr avg.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Add your resume

80%

Upload your resume, increase your shortlisting chances by 80%

About The Company

From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started!

The key to our success…. The Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees who honor Disney’s rich legacy by stretching the bounds of imagination to create the never-before-seen, bringing unparalleled entertainment experiences to people of all ages. Begin a career that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world and just imagine the stories you could be part of…

What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!

Kapolei, Hawaii, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Hawaii, United States (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

Coupvray, Île-de-France, France (On-Site)

Montévrain, Île-de-France, France (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Hybrid)

Île-de-France, France (On-Site)

Chessy, Île-de-France, France (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by The Walt Disney Company

Similar Jobs

Metaverse game studios - Senior/Mid 3D Environment Artist (Europe - MENA)

Metaverse game studios, (Remote)

WhizCo | Creative Tech and Influencer Marketing - 3D Generalist

WhizCo | Creative Tech and Influencer Marketing, India (On-Site)

Ecube Interior Solutions   - 3d stall designer

Ecube Interior Solutions , India (On-Site)

Rockstar Games - In-Game Media Resource

Rockstar Games, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Riot Games - VFX Art Intern - TFT - Summer 2025 (Remote)

Riot Games, United States (Remote)

Blue Zoo Animation Studio - ToonBoom Harmony Animator (Experienced)

Blue Zoo Animation Studio, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Flying Bark Productions - Senior Animation TD

Flying Bark Productions, Australia (Hybrid)

The Walt Disney Company - Senior Effects Technical Director

The Walt Disney Company, Australia (On-Site)

SKYDANCE - ShotGrid Production Manager

SKYDANCE, United States (Hybrid)

DNEG - Animation TD (FEAT)

DNEG, (On-Site)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

1047 Games - Lead Technical Artist

1047 Games, (Remote)

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India - 3D Artist

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, (On-Site)

That's No Moon - Expert VFX Artist

That's No Moon, United States (Remote)

Epoch Games - 3D Creature Artist

Epoch Games, United States (Remote)

Goldsikka  - Visual Effects Artist

Goldsikka , India (On-Site)

Schbang - Sr. Graphic Visualizer

Schbang, India (On-Site)

Intrepid Studios,  Inc  - Environment Artist

Intrepid Studios, Inc , Canada (On-Site)

Design 2 Reality - 3D Visualizer

Design 2 Reality, India (On-Site)

Frontier Developments - Experienced Character Artist

Frontier Developments, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Hololabs - Senior Backend Developer

Hololabs, Canada (Hybrid)

Prodigy Education - Head of Product

Prodigy Education, Canada (Hybrid)

ZeniMax Media - Programmeur.se de build / Build Programmer

ZeniMax Media, Canada (On-Site)

Ziff Davis - Customer Success Representative

Ziff Davis, Canada (Hybrid)

Electronic Arts - Rendering Software Engineer

Electronic Arts, Canada (On-Site)

WaveApps - Director, Product

WaveApps, Canada (Remote)

Keywords Studios (Player Support) - Video Game Proofreader - Montreal

Keywords Studios (Player Support), Canada (Hybrid)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Animation Jobs

Stormind Games - Senior Technical Animator

Stormind Games, Italy (On-Site)

Nintendo - Animator (Retro Studios)

Nintendo, United States (On-Site)

Warner Bros Games - Senior Animator, Cinematics

Warner Bros Games, United States (On-Site)

Playground Games - Cinematic Lead

Playground Games, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Epic Games - Animation Lead

Epic Games, United States (On-Site)

Trzy Innovationz - 3D Generalist

Trzy Innovationz, India (On-Site)

Activision - Expert Animation Programmer

Activision, Sweden (On-Site)

Nexus Studios - Senior Producer, Branded Content (Freelance)

Nexus Studios, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Bonfire Studios - Animator

Bonfire Studios, United States (Hybrid)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded