Job Overview
| Category | Details |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Work Mode | Remote (within BC only) or On-Site |
| Position Type | Contracted (Stop Motion VFX Project) |
| Start Date | ASAP in January 2026 |
| End Date | Mid-May 2026 |
About Zoic Studios
Zoic Studios is an artist-owned and operated Visual Effects company specializing in high-end VFX for television, film, and advertising. Our ethos, Visual Evolution, drives us to focus on every aspect of the creative process, from the final image to the sophisticated pipeline used to generate it. We are excited to engage in an incredible stop-motion animated feature project that promises to be a showcase for creativity and technical collaboration.
We are currently offering this contract role to be executed either remotely (within British Columbia only) or on-site at our Vancouver studio located in the beautiful Gastown area, conveniently near Waterfront Station.
Mandatory Requirements:
- Must be a resident of British Columbia, Canada.
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Open Work Permit).
- Remote work requires a reliable, hardwired internet connection and adherence to Pacific Standard Time (PST) hours.
About Zoic Studios
The VFX Data & Render Wrangling Technician is vital to ensuring the efficient operation of rendering resources and data storage within the VFX pipeline. This role is responsible for the overall facilitation, monitoring, and control of the rendering process, managing digital files, performing CG image quality control, and overseeing the operations of the render farm during deadline-driven feature production.
Essential Job Functions
1. Render Farm and Workflow Management
- Queue Prioritization:
Prioritize the render queue and allocate resources in consultation with the Data & Render Wrangling Supervisor and VFX Production Management to ensure strict rendering schedules are met. - Performance Monitoring: Proactively monitor render farm performance to prevent technical or machine-related issues from interfering with successful output of VFX imagery.
- Troubleshooting:
Respond to rendering errors by diagnosing, identifying, resolving, or escalating issues as necessary. Utilize the IT ticketing system (YouTrack) to document troubleshooting efforts. - Asset Management:
Oversee and manage the secure movement, conversions, and distribution of all VFX assets and files across the Studio departments.
2. Quality Control and Reporting
- QC:
Monitor rendering quality and quantity, assessing submissions for optimization, making necessary corrections, and performing final quality control (QC) for media intended for wide audiences before distribution. - Consultation:
Consult with supervisors and leads regarding appropriate technical approaches, emerging issues, and potential solutions. - Resource Monitoring:
Monitor disk and server status, estimating usage patterns to ensure resource availability, and communicate proactively with the Technology team when render farm attention is required. - Reporting:
Submit daily reports detailing render farm status and file transfers, alongside monthly overviews of output trends and projections for future VFX render use. - Artist Support:
Support VFX artists by alerting them of farm submission errors and identifying potential workflow inefficiencies.
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of experience as a Data & Render Wrangler, or in a similar customer/technical support role within a CG animation, VFX, or IT environment, or equivalent technical training/education. - Data Management:
2 years of experience specifically involving data management, data integrity protocols, and adherence to production naming conventions. - Technical Knowledge:
Knowledgeable in LINUX/UNIX, Windows, and Mac environments. Basic technical understanding of digital workflows and terminology in a feature film environment (VFX/animation experience is a plus). - Problem-Solving:
Highly organized problem solver with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. - Communication:
Excellent written and and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively in both a technical and artistic manner with team members, management, and other departments. - Adaptability:
Ability to multi-task and manage tight deadlines from multiple sources; open to direction, responsive to changing production needs, and capable of quick software adoption and on-the-job learning. - Work Style:
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Compensation and Additional Information
Pay Range (BC Employees): The base salary range for this position is $20 – $25 per hour. The final rate will be determined based on various factors, including the applicant’s specific qualifications, years of relevant experience, and education level.
Relocation: Zoic does not cover relocation costs.
