Senior Creature Technical Director (Simulations) - ILM Vancouver
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10150392 Location Vancouver, Canada Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted May 06, 2026Job Summary:
This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
Position Summary
Industrial Light & Magic (Vancouver) Inc., located in Vancouver, BC, the Senior Creature Technical Director is responsible for setting up and running flesh-surface, hair, rigid, crowd, and cloth simulations in Houdini and proprietary tools as well as rigging and enveloping hero to background creature, vehicles and props in Maya. The Senior Creature Technical Director is able to wrangle creature pipeline issues proficiently under the direction and support of their supervisors.
What You’ll Do
Set up and run advanced cloth, hair, rigid body, crowd, muscle simulations
Troubleshoot creature CFX and pipeline issues for artists in other disciplines
Mentor entry level artists
Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya
Creature rigging and enveloping in Maya
Sufficient knowledge of CFX techniques to optimize the performance of simulation setups
Participate in reviews, dailies, and department meetings as required
Special projects as necessary
What We’re Looking For
5+ years relevant professional experience and at least 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
Experience setting up and running advanced simulation shotwork
Experience in corrective sculpting. Knowledge of anatomy and enveloping
Positive Attitude and team player
Passion for the work
Good communication skills
Proficiency with Linux
Expertise with Houdini
Experience with python or VEX scripting
Nice to have:
Experience with advanced hero asset rigging and enveloping in Maya
C++
Basic proficiency in another discipline - Modeling, Texture, TD, Animation
As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.
JoinILM
The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$112,200 to C$143,600 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.
About Industrial Light & Magic:
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with ILM (Vancouver) Inc., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.