Job OVerview
| Feature | Junior | Intermediate | Senior | Lead |
| Experience | Foundational (Coursework/Entry) | 1–2 Years | 3+ Years | 5+ Years |
| Primary Focus | Shot quotas, fixing errors, and polishing. | Rig refinement and pipeline efficiency. | Complex simulations and technical solutions. | Mentorship, strategy, and team leadership. |
| Core Software | Maya (Basics), nCloth (Intro). | Maya nDynamics, Studio Library, PAIE. | Advanced nDynamics, Arnold, Python. | Expert Maya suite, Pipeline architecture. |
| Technical Skills | Basic modeling and 3D environment knowledge. | Topology, weight painting, and caching. | Topology fixing, UV mapping, and scripting. | Workflow optimization and cross-dept integration. |
| Simulation Ability | Basic simulation fixes. | Scenarios: Wind, water, light/heavy cloth. | Hand-animating hair/cloth; advanced setups. | Overseeing global sim quality and standards. |
| Leadership | Follows direction from Leads. | Independent task ownership. | Takes ownership of the most difficult shots. | Guides career growth and project delivery. |
| Problem Solving | Identifying geometry crashing. | Troubleshooting asset/rigging issues. | Fixing pipeline errors via code (Python). | Innovating studio-wide technical solutions. |
Key Technical Commonalities
Regardless of seniority, all Technical Animators at ICON Creative Studio are expected to be proficient in the following “Studio Standards”:
- Software: Autodesk Maya is the primary environment.
- Dynamics: A solid understanding of Nucleus-based dynamics (nCloth).
- Workflow: Experience with animation transfer tools like Studio Library or PAIE.
- Collaboration: A proactive “problem-solving” mindset and the ability to work on-site in Vancouver’s Gastown district.
About ICON Creative Studio
Located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation company. We are a holistic production house known for delivering high-quality, impactful content for global partners including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, and Paramount+. At ICON, we leverage the unique strengths of our diverse team to balance creative excellence with production efficiency. We are currently looking for Technical Animators across all experience levels to join our world-class team.
The Role
As a Technical Animator at ICON, you will bridge the gap between animation and technology. Whether you are a Junior artist learning the ropes or a Lead shaping the studio’s pipeline, your goal is to ensure character performance is seamless, realistic, and technically sound.
Core Responsibilities by Level
- Junior: Focus on shot quotas, performing technical fixes, rectifying geometry crashing, and polishing animations under the guidance of supervisors.
- Intermediate: Troubleshoot complex asset issues, refine character rigs for functionality, and contribute to the development of studio animation tools and pipelines.
- Senior: Take ownership of the most challenging shots, execute advanced cloth/hair simulations, and utilize Python to automate or fix pipeline errors.
- Lead: Mentor the technical animation team, oversee project-wide technical strategy, innovate new workflows, and collaborate with other department heads to ensure project delivery.
What You’ll Do
- Simulate & Refine: Execute high-quality cloth and hair simulations using Maya nCloth and nucleus-based dynamics.
- Rigging & Deformers: Implement and refine character rigs, ensuring optimal functionality for the animation team using Maya constraints and deformers.
- Troubleshoot: Identify and resolve technical bottlenecks related to topology, weight painting, and caching.
- Collaborate: Work cross-departmentally with Modeling, Animation, and Production to ensure a seamless integration of assets into the final shot.
- Pipeline Innovation: (Senior/Lead levels) Develop and improve tools using Python to enhance studio-wide efficiency.
Qualifications
- Software Proficiency: Expert or foundational knowledge of Autodesk Maya (depending on level).
- Technical Skills: Experience with nDynamics (nCloth), constraints, and deformers. Familiarity with tools like Studio Library or PAIE.
- Artistic Eye: A strong demo reel showcasing a deep understanding of 3D environments, movement, and anatomy.
- Education/Experience:
- Junior: Entry-level; relevant coursework or personal projects.
- Intermediate: 1–2 years of industry experience.
- Senior: 3+ years of experience + Python proficiency.
- Lead: 5+ years of experience + proven leadership/mentorship track record.
- Problem Solving: A proactive mindset with the ability to navigate complex technical challenges in a fast-paced production environment.
Why Join ICON Creative Studio?
- Top-Tier Projects: Work on major feature and episodic CG franchises.
- Global Community: Be part of a diverse, international team of artists.
- Cutting-Edge Tech: Access the latest tools and software in the industry.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, direct deposit, and a generous benefits package.
- Growth & Culture: Benefit from a supportive workplace that emphasizes continuous learning and professional autonomy.
Compensation
ICON Creative Studio offers a competitive wage range in compliance with British Columbia provincial mandates. Final compensation will be determined based on the specific role level (Junior to Lead), the assigned project, and the candidate’s portfolio and experience
