Creature FX Technical Director at Framestore, 2026
The Lead Creature FX Technical Director (Lead CFX TD) is a high-impact role at Framestore’s Melbourne studio that fuses advanced technical engineering with creative team leadership. Operating within a hybrid work model, you will manage and mentor a team of artists responsible for designing and executing physically-based simulations—including complex clothing, hair, fur, muscles, and skin—for world-class feature films and episodic projects. As the bridge between animation and lighting. You will split your time between developing robust simulation rigs, solving complex pipeline issues, and delivering hero-level shots under tight production deadlines. Job Overview: Lead Creature FX Technical Director Position Parameter Specification Detail Company Name Framestore Job Title Lead Creature FX Technical Director (Lead CFX TD) Job Type Full-Time, Permanent Work Model Hybrid (On-site / Remote split) Primary Location Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department Creature FX (CFX) / Character Simulation Industry Sector Feature Film, Episodic Television, Immersive Media Estimated Salary Range $135,000 – $175,000 AUD / annum (Commensurate with experience and scale of portfolio) Superannuation 11.5% statutory contribution (as per Australian regulatory requirements) Primary Toolsets Autodesk Maya, nCloth, Python, Proprietary Solvers, Linux OS Target Application Channels Formal application portal or direct submission to recruiters@framestore.com Corporate Profile & Studio Vision Framestore is a globally recognized, multi-Oscar-winning creative studio tasked with anchoring some of the most complex narrative and visual projects in modern cinema. Partnering with elite directors, showrunners, and producers across the global entertainment infrastructure, the studio functions across the entire filmmaking spectrum—from initial pre-visualization and conceptual design through to final pixel delivery. The studio’s core culture balances high-end technical engineering with cinematic art. The Melbourne facility operates as a critical hub within Framestore’s global network, driving technical breakthroughs in character and creature simulation. By choosing to work here, you join a legacy built on reframing what is possible on screen, turning abstract concept art into organic, breathing cinematic entities. Comprehensive Position Overview The role of the Lead Creature FX Artist (Technical Director) is a dual-component position blending advanced technical execution with creative team leadership. Within the modern visual effects pipeline, the Creature FX department acts as the bridge between static geometry and dynamic reality. CFX Technical Directors are responsible for developing and executing physically-based simulations that govern how a creature or character interacts with its environment. This encompasses the simulation of: As a Lead TD, your responsibilities extend beyond personal shot delivery. You are the structural anchor for your team. You will architect simulation setups that scale across entire sequences, troubleshoot systemic pipeline bottlenecks, mentor junior and mid-level artists, and coordinate directly with cross-departmental leads to ensure data flows cleanly from Animation through to Lighting. Core Responsibilities & Workflow Execution The day-to-day operations of the Lead CFX TD are divided into three core pillars: Team Leadership & Communication, Simulation Rigging & Pipeline Development, and Shot Execution & Asset Delivery. 1. Team Leadership, Mentorship & Communication 2. Simulation Rigging & Asset Architecture 3. Shot Execution & Delivery Section 4: Detailed Job Requirements Candidates will be evaluated on a combination of technical competency, artistic eye, and collaborative leadership experience. Mandatory Professional Experience & Technical Competencies Preferred (“Nice-to-Have”) Qualifications The “Transferable Skills” Framework Framestore does not treat job descriptions as immutable legal constraints. The requirements listed above are structured as guidelines to identify ideal professional backgrounds, not arbitrary barriers to entry. If you do not possess every single item listed under the mandatory or preferred qualifications—for example, if you are a master of cloth and hair in a different software package but possess limited Maya experience, or if you are a Senior TD looking to step up into formal leadership for the first time—you are still strongly encouraged to apply. The studio actively looks for transferable core competencies: By submitting an application, you place your profile into Framestore’s talent ecosystem, allowing recruiters to evaluate your portfolio not just for this specific lead position, but for alternative senior, technical, or development tracks across upcoming project slates. Framestore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, altered gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or veteran status. Creature FX Technical Director at Framestore, 2026 Apply now See open roles Explore More Technical Director Jobs