Groom Artist at Digital Domain, Vancouver 2026

Groom Artist Job Overview

• Company: Digital Domain (Digital Domain Productions 3.0, Inc.)
• Role Title: Groom Artist
• Department: Asset Department
• Job Type: Full-Time, Project-Based
• Status: Non-Exempt
• Reporting To: Talent and Acquisition Manager
• Location: California (USA), British Columbia (Canada), and Quebec (Canada)
• Primary Workflow / Tools: Houdini / Maya / Nodal Hair System

Digital Domain Productions 3.0, Inc., a global leader in high-end visual effects and digital human technology, is seeking a creative and technically proficient Groom Artist to join our renowned Asset Department. In this role, you will be responsible for defining the tactile reality of our characters and worlds, crafting intricate hair, fur, feathers, and digital wardrobes that meet the highest standards of photorealism.

Compensation & Regional Scope

Digital Domain offers competitive hourly rates based on industry standards and regional legislative requirements. The following range is provided in accordance with applicable laws in our primary operating hubs.

• Hourly Pay Range:

  • $25.00 – $65.00 per hour

• Primary Locations (for posted range):

  • California (USA)

  • British Columbia (Canada)

  • Quebec (Canada)

• Compensation Note:

  • Base pay is determined by geographic region, internal equity, job-related skills, and experience

• Market Variation:

  • Compensation may vary for markets outside California, British Columbia, and Quebec

Purpose of the Role

The Groom Artist is a specialized artistic and technical role within the Asset Department. Working under the direct guidance of the Asset Groom Lead and the Asset Supervisors, you will provide comprehensive grooming solutions for a variety of digital assets, including humans, animals, clothing, and complex environments.

Your work is essential to achieving the VFX Supervisor’s vision and ensuring that every character and prop possesses the level of detail required for AAA feature film and episodic productions.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Groom Artist at Digital Domain are both creative and highly technical, requiring a deep understanding of how light, physics, and motion interact with fine-grain digital elements.

1. Creative Styling & Design

• Asset Grooming: Style and design hair, fur, and feathers to create compelling and realistic characters and creatures.

• Digital Wardrobes: Partner with supervisors to develop digital wardrobes and textured costumes.

• Environment Grooming: Add organic detail to CG environments, including foliage, moss, or other environmental textures.

2. Shot-Specific Iteration

• Style Modification: Take existing master hairstyles and update or modify them to accommodate shot-specific variations.

• Prop Detail: Enhance props and costumes by adding realistic hair or fiber details.

3. Collaboration & Feedback

• Creative Alignment: Work closely with the Asset Groom Lead to ensure all work meets the established technical needs of the show.

• Constructive Growth: Participate in reviews and be open to constructive criticism to maintain a world-class standard of quality.

• Team Synergy: Work as a collaborative team player in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment to ensure timely delivery of assets.

Qualifications: Skills, Education, and Experience

Digital Domain is looking for an artist who balances a strong aesthetic eye with the technical discipline required for a nodal production pipeline.

Required Qualifications:

• Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Art, or a related field, or comparable professional work experience.

• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated competency in Houdini and Maya.

• Grooming Systems: Familiarity with Houdini grooming and other nodal hair systems such as Yeti, xGen, or proprietary tools.

• Soft Skills: Strong communication (written and verbal), excellent listening skills, and high organizational ability.

Desired “Plus” Qualifications:

• Technical Scripting: Experience with VEX, Python, or Mel scripting within a production environment.
• Pipeline Breadth: Proficiency or experience in related asset disciplines, including rigging, modeling, texturing, and lookdev.
• Color Science: A basic understanding of ACES color spaces.

Working Conditions & Environment

• Workplace: This position operates within a standard office working environment.

• Schedule: Hours are based on normal working hours, but the nature of visual effects production will require extra hours depending on project needs and deadlines.

• Physical Demands: Routine physical activities include walking, bending, and extended periods of sitting.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Digital Domain, building a diverse and inclusive workplace is critical to our success. We believe that representing a wide array of perspectives drives innovation and creates a safe, collaborative environment for all our people.

• Equal Opportunity: We treat all employees with dignity and respect, making decisions based on individual experience and potential without regard to protected personal classifications.
• Advancement Goals: We actively seek to increase the attraction, retention, and advancement of women, persons of color, indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ2S community.
• Inclusive Journey: We invite you to join us on this journey to help us better represent the world we live in, at the places we work.