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Senior Creature Technical Director

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10105989 Location Vancouver, Canada Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Nov. 07, 2024

Job Summary:

Position Summary

We are looking for an outstanding artist to join our Creature team. As a Senior Creature Technical Director (TD), you will be responsible for the creation of high quality character and creature rigs and simulations, using various software technologies. Senior Creature TDs at ILM are able troubleshoot complicated creature issues, collaborate with their peers and produce high quality work under the direction and support of their supervisors, and help mentor junior artists.

At ILM, we believe a good idea is a good idea, regardless of where it comes from! Do you thrive in a creative environment? Do you enjoy sharing knowledge and learning from others? If you love art, technology, and movies, then this might be the role you’re looking for!

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

What You’ll Do

  • Build high quality, hero creature rigging and skinning in Maya.

  • Set up and run cloth, hair, rigid body, crowd, muscle simulations

  • Troubleshoot creature rigging and pipeline issues for artists in other departments

  • Mentor junior character artists and help them develop their skills

  • Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya

  • Participate in reviews, dailies, and department meetings as needed

  • Special projects as necessary

What We’re Looking For

  • 5+ years meaningful professional experience and a Bachelor's degree in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience

  • Experience as Maya rigger for assets in digital animation, visual effects, games, or commercials

  • Experience setting up and running a variety of simulation shotwork

  • Knowledge of anatomy and enveloping

  • Positive demeanour and a phenomenal teammate, with good interpersonal and communication skills

  • Proficiency with Linux, Maya, and Houdini

  • Experience with python scripting

  • Ability to learn quickly and assimilate new information

  • Nice to have: C++, basic proficiency in another subject area such as modelling, texture, lighting, or animation


The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$108,400 to C$138,800 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.

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