Montreal Jobs : 3D Animator (VFX) at Zero VFX

Montreal Jobs : Zero VFX is seeking a talented, mid-to-senior 3D Animator for a fixed-term, hybrid contract in Montreal, QC. Working within the Montreal 3D department, you will create hyper-realistic character and hard-surface animations for high-end episodic and feature film projects. This role bridges the gap between artistic performance and technical pipeline execution, collaborating closely with CG and VFX Supervisors to achieve the client’s vision.

Montreal Jobs Overview: 3D Animator (VFX)

• Location: Montreal, Quebec (Hybrid)
• Department: Montreal 3D
• Employment Type: Fixed Term (Contract)
• Compensation: $45.00/hr – $65.00/hr CAD
• Company: Zero VFX
• Project Types: Episodic & Feature Films

About the Role 3D Animator

Zero VFX is looking for a talented 3D Animator to join our team in Montreal on a fixed-term basis. In this role, you will bring characters and hard-surface assets to life, blending hyper-realistic performances with technical precision. You will work closely with CG and VFX Supervisors to deliver stunning visuals for high-end film and episodic projects.

Key Responsibilities as 3D Animator

• Character Performance: Craft hyper-realistic character animations from scratch (ex nihilo) that align with the client’s creative vision.
• Rotomation & Takeovers: Blend matchmoved/rotomation data seamlessly with keyframe animation for complex, impossible-to-shoot stunts.
• Hard Surface & FX Support: Animate vehicles, props, and secondary objects, either as final elements or to drive dynamic FX simulations.
• Collaboration & Pipeline: Work proactively with the CG and Animation teams to solve technical/artistic bottlenecks and optimize workflows.
• Production Delivery: Meet scheduling quotas and maintain transparent communication with the production team regarding timelines and deadlines.

Required Technical Qualifications & Essential Skills

To excel within our fast-paced, high-end production pipeline, candidates must demonstrate the following baseline qualifications:

• VFX Studio Pedigree: A minimum of 3 years of continuous, verifiable professional animation experience working directly inside a fast-paced visual effects studio environment handling live-action film or high-end episodic series.
• Artistic Foundation: A formal educational background in traditional hand-drawn animation, classical illustration, sculpture, or fine arts. This foundational training must manifest as an advanced, deep-seated comprehension of weight, balance, arcs, staging, timing, body mechanics, human anatomy, and subtle acting principles.
• Software Mastery: Advanced, production-proven mastery of Autodesk Maya. You must know the software inside and out, specifically regarding graph editor optimization, camera positioning, and complex animation layers.
• Operating System Proficiency: Comprehensive familiarity and comfort working within a native Linux desktop environment. You should be comfortable navigating terminal environments and standardized studio asset-management architectures.
• Pipeline Comprehension: A solid, working knowledge of 3D asset construction, specifically relating to structural rigging systems, blend shapes, skinning constraints, and basic modeling principles. You must be able to evaluate a rig’s performance capabilities and articulate specific technical needs to the rigging department.
• Professional Atributes: Outstanding professional communication skills, a proactive team-first mindset, and an intrinsic ability to juggle multiple tasks while prioritizing critical shot fixes. You must be receptive to rigorous creative direction and maintain the psychological agility required to embrace sudden script or design changes gracefully.

What You Bring (Requirements)

• Experience: Minimum 3+ years of animation experience within a VFX studio environment.
• Artistic Core: A strong background in traditional animation or fine arts, with an elite understanding of body mechanics, acting, and storytelling.
• Tech Stack: Expert knowledge of Autodesk Maya and familiarity working in a Linux environment.
• Pipeline Knowledge: A solid understanding of rigging and modeling workflows.
• Soft Skills: Highly collaborative, self-motivated, adaptable to feedback, and excellent at multitasking under deadlines.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with Houdini.
• Scripting skills in Python or MEL.

Logistics & Compliance

• Location & Funding: Due to regional funding structures, applicants must currently reside in Quebec and be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Our Commitment to Tech Ethics: As part of our commitment to a fair and human-centric hiring process, Zero VFX does not use AI at any stage of our recruitment process.
• Zero VFX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Accommodations for candidates with disabilities or medical needs are available upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest in Zero VFX, however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

As part of our commitment to a fair and thoughtful hiring process, we do not use AI at any stage of our hiring process.

Must be legally entitled to work in Canada as specified and, where applicable, must have a valid work permit that allows the candidate to fulfill the requirements of the role.

Zero VFX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing employment in accordance with the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Accommodations for candidates with disabilities or medical needs are available upon request during the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.