Texture Artist Intern (SideFX Labs/Games)

Position Overview

As a Texture Artist Intern (SideFX Labs/Games) your main role is to establish processes and best practices using Houdini’s procedural image manipulation tools for the purpose of shading/creating textures for games and other realtime environments. 

As a Houdini advocate, during your internship you will have the chance to communicate Houdini’s value and features to our games customers.

As an out of the box thinker, you are comfortable taking on the task of exploring new workflows that solve problems game studios are trying to solve using Houdini. You are an excellent listener who takes the time to understand what requirements need to be met for the assigned project. 

Throughout the internship, you will have the opportunity to boost your Houdini skills and potential to strengthen your industry knowledge and exposure.

As part of the Technical Consulting Team, you will also work closely with R&D, Sales, Marketing and Education.                                         

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Use Houdini’s procedural image manipulation tools (COPs) to create stylized and/or realistic textures.
• Demonstrate workflows to the team and provide feedback on areas of improvement.
• Build demo projects demonstrating Houdini’s image manipulation capabilities.
• Learn existing tools and workflows in Houdini.
• Be a champion of our company and represent SideFX to the larger game community.
• Participate as needed in public channels where Houdini tools are discussed.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience using Substance Designer to procedurally create textures and materials for game assets.
• Experience with the PBR shading workflow.
• Understanding of asset optimization requirements for real-time environments.
• Ability to work and operate collaboratively in a small team.
• A demonstrated passion for procedural processes and tools, and a drive to share that passion with artists.

Not required but great to have

• Have production experience as a shading artist at a games studio.
• Experience using Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Experience with COPs in Houdini.
• Experience creating learning materials or teaching production software.
• Basic understanding of runtime performance requirements for created assets.

*A demo reel or URL to an online portfolio along with your resume must be provided when applying in order to be considered for this role.

Company Profile

For over thirty years, SideFX has been providing artists with procedural 3D animation, VFX and World Building tools designed to create the highest-quality results.
                                                                                                       
We are passionate about what our customers do because our roots are in production, both as artists and as pioneering technical innovators. SideFX has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science several times for our flagship software product Houdini, and our breakthrough procedurally-based technology.
                                                                                                       
Long used by the world’s top film and TV studios, in recent years Houdini has transformed content creation workflows at hundreds of game studios, from the largest AAA to the smallest Indie. Our customers include CD Projekt Red, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts and many more. Houdini has played a vital part in hit video games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Spiderman, Control and the Ghost Recon series.

What We Value Most:

• Decency: We treat everyone with honesty, kindness and empathy. We give generously of our time and knowledge
• Relationships: We build collaborative bonds—with our co-workers and clients—based on trust and respect. Our diverse team gives us broader perspectives
• Dedication: We take pride and ownership in our work, always trying to do our best. We are devoted to the well-being and success of each other and our clients
• Excellence: We continually improve ourselves, our work and our company, striving towards excellence in all that we do

Our Employees Receive:

• Hybrid Work option - Combining time spent collaborating in person at our offices with remote work for added flexibility
  
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and floater days to relax and re-energize (starting at 4 weeks)
• Year-End Company Shutdown and Long Weekend Early departures to add to the excitement
• Health insurance coverage: Robust Health insurance coverage for you and your dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP); because sometimes we need a bit of extra support
• Retirement Plan with company matched contributions
• Comprehensive Long Service Award program, providing both a monetary reward and additional days off
• A highly competitive bonus structure
• A generous sick time entitlement to care for yourself and your loved ones

Why Join SideFX?

• Because you want to be part of a unique experience and winning team that has won an Oscar and an Emmy (Cool, right?)
• Because you want to be part of an industry-leading company that is constantly mindfully growing
• Because you want to work with some of the most talented people in the industry on a ground-breaking product
• Because you want to work with people from all around the world
• Because you want to be part of an exciting and fun industry
• Because you want to join and add to a positive, supportive and respected company culture
• Because you want your job to be GREAT!

Not the right role for you at this time? Take a look at all of our job postings on our Careers page or join our SideFX Talent Community for future career opportunities! 

Location

This is an on-site role in our Toronto, Ontario.

Our transit-friendly head office location, directly adjacent to Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto, is open-concept with a relaxed style that includes, casual dress, and wraparound views from the 14th floor.

SideFX is committed to inclusion and diversity. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities, upon request.