Sr Effects Technical Director

Job Posting Title:

Sr Effects Technical Director

Req ID:

10123508

Job Description:

We are looking for a Sr FX Technical Director who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.

The Senior FX Technical Directors are responsible for autonomously generating complex simulations, particle FX, lighting, rendering and moderate-level compositing of very complex shots, needing only initial direction and guidance from their supervisors.

What You’ll Do

• Design and create complicated FX animation, procedural simulation, dynamic simulation, particle and fluid systems

• Set up and wrangle heavy particle effects and enormous crowd shots

• Develop small scale, show-specific tools for non-FX TDs and other FX TDs

• Pipeline scripting

• Compositing

• Write plug-ins, set-up sequences, and debug simulations

• Write/hack procedural, volumetric shaders, and surface shaders with proficiency

• Animate moderate objects with proficiency

• Understand or develop new techniques quickly and debug complicated problems

• Set a standard for all Technical Directors by continually improving the speed, quality of our work and adaptability

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years production experience or feature film experience with effects simulation work

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or computer graphics

• Demo reel required

• Excellent knowledge of 3D Studio Max, Maya, Houdini, Renderman, Arnold and Mental Ray, and the ability to quickly learn proprietary tools (including Zeno)

• Ability to work with competency, energy, and enthusiasm together within a team environment with minimal supervision to complete a shot

• Excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism 

• Excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what next should be addressed in the shot

• Engages in the creative process without ego, and accepts all final decisions with a positive and supportive attitude

• Demonstrates an excellent aesthetic eye, anticipating potential problems and using knowledge of how to use the tools to achieve the desired look

• Demonstrates superb problem-solving skills and takes the initiative to offer ideas and suggestions

• Prioritizes tasks and manages time very well

• Preferred Skills:

  • Linux and scripting ability in Python 

  • Experience in MEL

• Technical Skills:

  • Advanced simulation experience with either Houdini, Maya, 3DS Max or other software, and the ability to write expressions

  • C++

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $127,100 to $206,600 per year. 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 bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

ILM San Francisco

Job Posting Primary Business:

ILM San Francisco

Primary Job Posting Category:

Effects Design

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

San Francisco, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2025-06-03