Image Engine hiring FX TD – Lead, Vancouver

Image Engine Design Inc. is seeking a visionary and technically grounded Lead FX Technical Director to join our award-winning team in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Since 1995, Image Engine has established itself as a cornerstone of the global visual effects industry. From the grimy, grounded sci-fi of District 9 to the expansive galaxies of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, our work is defined by a commitment to storytelling through technical innovation. As a Lead FX TD, you will not just be managing simulations; you will be architecting the procedural foundations that allow our artists to create the “extraordinary” on every frame.

Job Overview : Lead FX TD

• Company Name: Image Engine Design Inc.
• Position Title: Lead FX Technical Director (FX Lead)
• Employment Type: Term / Project-Based Contract
• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid – BC Residency Required)
• Compensation: $135,000 – $145,000 per annum (40-hour work week)
• Department: FX
• Start Date: ASAP
• Benefits: 100% Premium Coverage, Healthcare from Day 1, 8 Wellness Days

The Image Engine Philosophy

At Image Engine, R&D is not a secondary department; it is the heartbeat of our creative process. We believe that the best visual effects are born from a seamless marriage of artistic intuition and robust technical pipelines. Our FX department is world-renowned for its volumetric digital effects, destruction simulations, and procedural environment work.

As a Lead, you are the linchpin of this ecosystem. You are responsible for ensuring that the creative vision of the VFX Supervisor is translated into a scalable, efficient technical reality that your team of artists can execute with precision.

Core Purpose of the Role

The Lead FX TD serves as the primary technical and creative support pillar for all FX artists assigned to a specific production. Your mission is two-fold:

1. Foundation Building: Ramping up show-specific tools, creating high-quality Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs), and ensuring the department’s handoff is optimized for lighting and compositing.

2. Team Orchestration: Managing artist tasks, mentoring junior and mid-level talent, and acting as the vital communication link between the CG Supervisors and the production management team.

Detailed Duties & Responsibilities as Lead FX TD

1. Technical Leadership & Show Methodology

• Strategic Planning: Assess show requirements early in pre-production to determine the best technical methodology. You will decide whether a shot requires custom solvers, heavy volumetric simulations, or procedural scattering.

• Standards & Practices: Define and enforce the “Image Engine Standard” within the FX team. This includes ensuring all setups are documented, optimized for the farm, and easily hand-offable between artists.

• Pipeline Evolution: Work closely with the Head of Department (HOD) to identify bottlenecks in the current FX pipeline and collaborate with the R&D team to develop new internal tools.

2. Production & Team Management

• Task Delegation: Review the scope of work for the entire show and assign tasks based on the specific strengths and skill levels of individual artists.

• Scheduling & Bidding: Collaborate with Production Coordinators to estimate time requirements for complex FX tasks. You will provide accurate progress reports and flag potential delays before they impact the master schedule.

• Quality Control: Attend dailies, rounds, and reviews to provide constructive feedback. You are the final gatekeeper for the quality of smoke, fire, fluid, and destruction elements before they move downstream.

3. Mentorship & Professional Development

• Artist Growth: Conduct performance reviews and provide daily technical guidance. You will help artists troubleshoot complex VEX expressions or simulation instabilities.

• Inter-Departmental Synergy: Communicate with “Upstream” departments (Layout/Animation) and “Downstream” departments (Lighting/Compositing) to ensure data flows smoothly and assets are optimized for the final render.

Professional Experience Requirements

We are looking for candidates who have “weathered the storm” of high-end feature film production. The following experience thresholds are required:

• Internal Candidates: Minimum of 4 years of feature film/TV production experience specifically as an FX Artist using Houdini.

• External Candidates: Minimum of 1 year in a Lead FX role, supplemented by 4 years of experience as a Senior FX Artist in a high-end production environment.

Technical Skills & Proficiency

The Houdini Ecosystem

• Mastery of Houdini: You must possess an expert-level understanding of SOPs, DOPs, and POPs.

• Asset Creation: Proven ability to create robust, user-friendly HDAs (Houdini Digital Assets) that include clear interfaces and documentation for other artists.

• Scripting: Strong proficiency in VEX and Hscript is essential for custom tool creation and performance optimization.

Rendering & Data Standards

• Rendering: Strong knowledge of Arnold (preferred), though experience with Mantra, RenderMan, or Karma is valued.

• Data Formats: Complete fluency in industry-standard formats, specifically OpenVDB, Alembic, and USD workflows.

• Compositing Awareness: A solid understanding of the compositing process, specifically how FX layers interact with lighting in Nuke.

Soft Skills & Leadership Attributes

• Spatial & Artistic Awareness: An excellent eye for image composition, timing, and the physical behavior of natural elements (fire, water, debris).

• Problem-Solving: The ability to troubleshoot complex technical failures under tight deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. You must be able to explain complex technical hurdles to non-technical production staff while inspiring your team of artists.

Desirable “Plus” Skills

• Scripting Power: Advanced knowledge of Python for pipeline integration.

• Alternative Tools: Experience with Maya, Gaffer, or specialized solvers like RealFlow and Bullet.

• Software Development: Knowledge of the HDK (Houdini Development Kit) for C++ plugin development.

• Educational Background: A degree in Computer Science, Visual Effects, or a related fine arts field.

Working at Image Engine

Image Engine is more than just a place of work; it is a community of creators. We are proud to foster a workplace culture that is supportive, respectful, and empowering.

The Vancouver Advantage: As a hybrid role based in Vancouver, you will enjoy the benefits of one of the world’s premier VFX hubs. Please note that per tax credit requirements, candidates must be residents of British Columbia and legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application.

Diversity & Inclusion: We believe our success is a direct reflection of our diverse team. Image Engine is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation & Benefits Package

• Annual Salary: $135,000 – $145,000.

• Healthcare: Comprehensive extended healthcare premiums are 100% covered by Image Engine, starting from your first day of employment.

• Wellness: We provide up to 8 paid Health and Wellness days per year to ensure our crew maintains a healthy work-life balance.

• Contract: This is a term-based project contract with the potential for extension based on the production slate.