Modeling Artist – Reel FX Animation (Montreal)

Job Overview

• Company Name: Reel FX Animation
• Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Position Type: Full-time
• Department: Modeling
• Work Mode: Hybrid (In-studio Tuesday through Thursday)
• Experience Level: Minimum 1 year in feature film, commercial, or games

The Opportunity: Crafting Digital Worlds at Reel FX

Reel FX Animation is inviting talented Modeling Artists to join our Montreal studio as we return to our vibrant, collaborative workspace. This role is essential for the creation of high-quality hard surface and organic assets for CG animation production.

As a Modeling Artist, you are the digital sculptor responsible for building clean, animation-ready geometry that serves as the foundation for the entire production pipeline.

At Reel FX, we pride ourselves on a culture that values the personal connections made during our in-studio days. If you have a passion for transforming 2D designs into appealing 3D models and enjoy working in a fast-paced feature animation environment, we want to hear from you.

Core Responsibilities: From Concept to Mesh

The Modeling Artist is tasked with a wide range of creative and technical duties to ensure assets are both visually stunning and technically sound.

1. Digital Sculpting and Asset Creation

• Sculpting Mastery: Use ZBrush and Maya to sculpt and model high-quality 3D assets.

• Asset Variety: Model a diverse range of assets, including characters, props, vehicles, and environments.

• Design Translation: Accurately translate 2D designs into appealing, production-ready 3D models.

• Final Delivery: Ensure final production meshes are delivered in Maya.

2. Technical Optimization and Pipeline Readiness

• Clean Topology: Create clean, efficient quad-based topology suitable for subdivision at render time.

• Rigging Preparation: Prepare models for the rigging department, which includes maintaining consistent point order.

• Facial Animation: Produce blendshapes for facial animation when required by the production.

• UV Layouts: Produce and maintain organized UDIM UV layouts for the surfacing department.

3. Production Collaboration

• Directive Follow-through: Follow the direction of the Supervising Modeler to ensure all assets match the approved design.

• Feedback Implementation: Address supervisor and downstream department notes in a timely and professional manner.

• Schedule Management: Meet production schedules while maintaining consistent output quality.

Qualifications: Technical and Artistic Requirements

To succeed as a Modeling Artist at Reel FX, you should possess a blend of formal training and hands-on industry experience.

The Skills You’ll Need:

• Education: A degree or diploma in Fine Arts, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Industry Tenure: A minimum of 1 year of experience in feature film, commercial, or game production focused on modeling.

• Anatomical Knowledge: A strong understanding of anatomy, form, proportion, and character appeal.

• ZBrush Expertise: Expert-level skills in ZBrush sculpting workflows.

• Maya Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Maya polygonal and subdivision surface modeling.

• Attention to Detail: A strong attention to detail in both hard surface and organic modeling tasks.

Studio Environment and Professional Expectations

Working as a Modeling Artist at Reel FX Montreal means participating in a dynamic production environment that prioritizes excellence.

• Collaborative Community: Our Tuesday through Thursday in-studio requirement is designed to foster teamwork and creativity.

• Pipeline Awareness: Modeling is the first step in the 3D pipeline; your ability to provide clean geometry directly impacts the success of the Rigging, Surfacing, and Animation teams.

• Adaptability: As part of a growing organization, employees may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the project.

Industry Context: The Role of a Modeling Artist in 2026

In 2026, the demand for Modeling Artists has expanded as feature animation reaches new heights of visual complexity. At Reel FX, we utilize industry-standard workflows like UDIM UV layouts and quad-based topology to ensure our assets are compatible with the latest rendering technologies. A Modeling Artist today must be as comfortable with the technical requirements of a rig-ready mesh as they are with the artistic nuances of a character’s silhouette.

Additional Information and Application Status

• Priority Hiring: Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada will be treated in priority for this role.

• Selection Process: Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

• Documentation: You may be asked to provide professional references as part of the hiring process.

Conclusion

As a Modeling Artist at Reel FX, you have the opportunity to bring unique characters and expansive worlds to life for a global audience. You will work alongside a team of genuine, talented individuals in a studio that values your creative input and technical growth. If you have a passion for sculpting and a commitment to quality, we invite you to apply