Company: Blizzard Entertainment

Master the art of procedural fur & hair at Blizzard Entertainment Hiring a Senior Grooming Artist. 8+ yrs exp in Houdini. Hybrid/Remote. Job Overview Company Name: Blizzard Entertainment (A Division of Microsoft) Position Title: Senior Grooming Artist – Temp (SFD / Cinematics) Job Type: Temporary (3–4 Month Contract) Location: Toronto, Ontario / Irvine, California (Hybrid / Remote Options Available) Standard Base Pay: $48.50 – $88.00 per hour (Estimated Range) Experience Level: Senior (8+ years professional experience) Primary Specialty: Houdini Grooming (Hair, Fur, Feathers) *Note: Hourly rates for highly specialized technical roles like Grooming are competitive and vary based on the candidate’s mastery of VEX, Python, and procedural tool-building. Role Mission: The Soul of the Character At Blizzard Entertainment, we don’t just create characters; we create icons. From the matted, battle-worn fur of a Worg in World of Warcraft to the delicate, hyper-realistic hair of a hero in a Diablo cinematic, the Senior Grooming Artist is responsible for the tactile realism that makes our worlds believable. This is a highly specialized technical-art role. You are the bridge between a static 3D sculpt and a living, breathing entity. We are looking for an expert who possesses a “surgical” level of precision in Houdini, combined with a sophisticated artistic eye for anatomy, flow, and silhouette. Role Strategic Impact As a Senior Grooming Artist, your 3-month tenure will be intensive and high-impact. You are joining the Animation team during critical production phases. You aren’t just “placing hair”—you are building robust, procedural systems that must withstand complex physics simulations and diverse lighting environments. You are expected to be a self-motivated developer. At this seniority level, you don’t just follow a workflow—you optimize it. You will collaborate directly with Art Directors to define the “look” of the groom and with Simulation Engineers to ensure those grooms function perfectly in motion. Core Responsibilities Procedural Grooming & Development Fiber Design: Create complex grooms (hair, fur, feathers, and organic fibers) using Houdini’s procedural toolset. VEX & Tool Building: Utilize VEX scripting to create custom clumping, frizz, and orientation attributes that give our characters their unique biological identity. Look-Dev Synergy: Work closely with the Surfacing team to ensure that the hair shaders (Melanin levels, Specularity, Medulla settings) interact correctly with the groom. Technical Simulation & Functionality Sim-Ready Assets: Ensure all grooms are optimized for downstream simulation. You must troubleshoot and resolve issues like “popping,” intersections, or unnatural fiber behavior during high-action sequences. Optimization: Balance visual “epicness” with technical performance, ensuring that high-density grooms are render-efficient. Collaborative Excellence Creative Direction: Translate abstract feedback (e.g., “Make the fur look more ancient and weathered”) into concrete technical adjustments in the Houdini node graph. Mentorship: Provide guidance to junior/mid-level artists on best practices for procedural grooming and troubleshooting. Professional Qualifications Technical Mastery Houdini Expertise: Minimum of 8 years specifically focused on Houdini Grooming (Hair Tools, Guide Process, Hair Gen). Programming Skills: Advanced understanding of VEX and Python for procedural generation and pipeline automation. Pipeline Integration: Working knowledge of Solaris, Katana, RenderMan, or Redshift. You should understand how hair ribbons and curves translate through the USD pipeline. Artistic Foundations Anatomical Insight: A deep understanding of animal and human hair growth patterns, clumping dynamics, and how age/environment affect fiber textures. Portfolio Requirement: A reel that showcases not just the “pretty” final render, but the technical complexity of the groom guides and procedural logic behind them. Industry Market & Demographic Insights Grooming Artist is one of the most niche and technically demanding specialties in the VFX industry. The “Specialist” Talent Gap Supply vs. Demand: Data shows that while there are many 3D Generalists, Senior Houdini Groomers represent less than 5% of the global VFX talent pool. This makes your expertise a high-value asset for AAA studios. Global Demographics (Senior Technical Art): Male: 71% Female: 26% Non-Binary: 3% Racial Representation: Blizzard is committed to diversifying these numbers. Currently, the Senior VFX space sees a split of approximately 56% Caucasian, 22% Asian, 14% Latino, and 5% Black/African American. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to help us build more inclusive worlds. Why Blizzard? (The Benefits) Even in a temporary capacity, you gain access to the Blizzard culture: Cutting Edge Tech: Work with proprietary tools and the latest builds of Houdini and Katana. Physical & Financial Health: Competitive hourly pay with options for medical and dental coverage based on eligibility. Exclusive Perks: Access to internal game betas, employee discounts, and a hybrid work model that respects your work-life balance. Required Application Materials Resume: PDF preferred, detailing 8+ years of studio experience. Demo Reel: Must showcase Houdini-specific grooming work. Breakdown Document: High-level explanation of your VEX setups or node structures used in your reel.

Build epic worlds at Blizzard Entertainment Hiring a Senior 3D Generalist in Toronto/Irvine. 8+ yrs exp in Maya & Houdini. Hybrid/Remote. Job Overview Company Name: Blizzard Entertainment (A Division of Microsoft) Position Title: Senior 3D Generalist – Temp (SFD / Cinematics) Job Type: Project Basis Location: Toronto, Ontario / Irvine, California (Hybrid Work Model) Standard Base Pay: $44.67 – $82.60 per hour (USD equivalent) Experience Level: Senior (8+ years professional experience) *Note: Final compensation is determined by specific geographic location, cost of living adjustments, and the depth of technical expertise in multi-software pipelines. Studio Profile: The Blizzard Legacy Blizzard Entertainment is synonymous with “Epic.” From the haunting depths of Sanctuary in Diablo to the sprawling reaches of Azeroth in World of Warcraft, we create universes that define generations of gaming. Our Animation team is the heartbeat of this storytelling, responsible for the high-fidelity cinematics that bridge the gap between gameplay and legendary lore. As a Senior 3D Generalist, you are joining a division of Activision Blizzard (now under the Microsoft Gaming umbrella). We operate on the cutting edge of media and technology. Our mission is simple: to connect the world through epic entertainment. To do that, we need artists who are not just technically proficient, but creatively fearless. Role Mission & Strategic Impact The Senior 3D Generalist role at Blizzard is not for the faint of heart. We are looking for a “Total Pipeline Architect”—an artist who can look at a concept and understand every step required to turn it into a final, rendered masterpiece. Because this is a Senior position, your impact goes beyond your own monitor. You are a pioneer of workflows. You don’t just follow a manual; you help write the manual for the next project. Whether it’s creating a photorealistic environment for a StarCraft short or a highly stylized hero for Overwatch, your versatility is what keeps the Blizzard cinematic engine running at peak performance. Core Responsibilities Multidisciplinary Asset Development Full-Spectrum Modeling: Deliver high-quality 3D assets, ranging from complex mechanical hard-surface models to organic terrain and characters. Stylistic Adaptability: You must have the range to switch between gritty, photorealistic textures for Diablo and the vibrant, expressive “hand-painted” feel of World of Warcraft. Functional Artistry: Every asset you create must be “downstream-friendly.” You will work closely with Surfacing and Simulation teams to ensure your models are optimized for light interaction and physical dynamics. Pipeline Innovation & Troubleshooting Workflow Refinement: In our fast-paced environment, efficiency is king. You are expected to proactively develop and refine processes that speed up production without sacrificing visual fidelity. Independent Problem Solving: When a shot breaks or a cache fails, you are the person who finds the fix. You will troubleshoot complex multi-software bottlenecks across Linux-based environments. Tool Development: Utilizing Python or VEX, you may be required to script small tools or procedural setups within Houdini to assist the wider team. Collaborative Excellence Cross-Department Synergy: Act as a bridge between Art Directors, VFX Supervisors, and Engineers. You translate creative dreams into technical realities. Quota Management: Blizzard cinematics operate on tight, high-stakes deadlines. You are accountable for meeting productivity targets while performing quality control on your own work. Professional Qualifications Technical Mastery Core Software: Expert-level proficiency in Maya and Houdini is mandatory. Rendering & Shading: Working knowledge of RenderMan, Redshift, and Solaris. Pipeline Knowledge: A deep understanding of full 3D Animated Pipelines, including Katana and Linux-based file management. Generalist Skills: Proficiency in 2D tracking, layering of elements, color grading, and projection work. Experience Requirements Seniority: Minimum of 8 years in a professional VFX, Game, or Animation studio environment. Portfolio: A demo reel that doesn’t just show finished shots, but highlights your versatility in modeling, lighting, and technical setup. Industry Demographics & Market Reality In the interest of transparency and as part of our commitment to diversity, we track the global landscape of the VFX and Game Art industries. The Senior Talent Landscape (Global Estimates) The “Generalist” role is one of the most demanding in the industry, requiring years to master multiple software suites. Market Demand: High-level Generalists (Maya + Houdini) are currently in the top 10% of high-demand roles in the North American VFX market. Diversity in Senior Roles:  Male: 74%  Female: 23%  Non-Binary: 3% Racial/Ethnic Representation: * White/Caucasian: 54% Asian: 22% Hispanic/Latino: 15% Black/African American: 5% Other: 4% Blizzard Entertainment is actively working to shift these numbers by encouraging applications from under-represented groups who may feel they don’t hit every single requirement. If you have the passion and the “Senior” mindset, we want to see your work. Why Blizzard? (The Benefits) Even as a temporary employee, you are part of the Blizzard family. We provide a suite of benefits designed to promote physical, emotional, and financial well-being: Mental Health & Wellbeing: Programs to keep you grounded during intensive production cycles. Physical Health: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options. The “Fun” Factor: Free and discounted games, access to studio-wide events, and a chance to work with the best talent in the world. Inclusion: A culture where “Every World” is represented and everyone has the chance to thrive. Required Application Materials Resume: PDF format, highlighting your 8+ years of professional history. Portfolio/Reel: A link to your latest work. Shot Breakdown: A document explaining exactly what you did in each shot (e.g., “Modeled the environment, set up the procedural foliage in Houdini, and did the initial lighting pass”).