Ilm Immersive Senior VFX Artist

Job Description

We are looking for a creative technologist who is passionate about bringing the latest technical trends in real-time development to their craft, and who reflects the innovative spirit and storytelling that defines ILM Immersive.

The Senior VFX Artist designs and creates cinematic-quality, yet optimized visual effects using animation, procedural simulation, dynamic simulation, particle and fluid systems for our next-generation immersive experiences. This role acts as a key liaison between the content and engineering teams and facilitates problem solving, strategies, and implementations between departments.

What You'll Do
• Conceive, prototype, implement technically advanced visuals and procedural systems
• Partner with the art and engineering teams to understand, define and manage project technical requirements and project asset production
• Look/dev passes of environmental supporting elements, atmospherics, lighting, post-processes and other VFX for scene / level; actively participate in optimizations, identify, triage, and fix bugs as required
• Explore and implement new tools and techniques to continuously push the visual bar to the leading edge using scripting (Blueprints, Python) and rapid prototypes
• Mentor and collaborate with other VFX and Technical Artists to improve studio tools and pipelines
• Proactively identify problems, propose solutions, and seek out buy-in from the team regarding implementation strategy
• Provide hands-on support to the development team for asset performance profiling and optimization; identify, triage, and fix bugs as required
• Standardize and improve best practices for production of real-time VFX assets and related pipeline
• Innovate discipline workflows and keep up to date on new tools/applications/trends in the industry

What We're Looking For
• 5+ years experience in games, film, television, AR/VR or related fields
• Strong 3D art skills with experience and deep understanding of optimizing and constructing modeling, texturing, uv mapping, animation, shading, lighting and particle effects for real-time workflows
• Houdini: Deep understanding and experience creating simulations and assets in Houdini - bonus points for creating Houdini assets for use in real-time game engines
• Unreal Engine: extensive experience working with UE workflows - blueprints, material networks, real-time lighting and simulations, post processing
• Shaders: in-depth knowledge of real-time shader implementations, limitations of shaders in VR, strong knowledge of PBR pipelines and subsurface shaders
• Materials: extensive experience in the development, authoring & organization of efficient node-based materials, hierarchies, material functions, and custom shaders via the UE4 material editor
• Experience with programming/scripting languages such as Python, C++, C#, Java, VEX, or MEL and a proficiency with linear algebra
• Nice to haves: Maya, Blender, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, and/or Photoshop, and experience in both film/VFX and games production
• Familiarity with profiling tools in the examination & diagnosis of performance issues
• Team-player mindset: open & receptive to ideas, constructive feedback, direction and changes
• Ability to work independently and efficiently under tight deadlines
• Works well with direction, but also is self-motivated and will seek out or devise solutions to unexpected challenges
*A portfolio / reel submission - including a detailed breakdown of your work in each section - is required with all applications*

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco is $127,100 to $158,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About Studios Content:

The Studios Content group encompasses a collection of world-class entertainment studios that produce high-quality cinematic storytelling for both theatrical and streaming release. It is also home to Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of popular stage shows on Broadway and around the world.

This position is with Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc, which is part of a business we call Studios Content.

Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g4qv0z-18-225-34-193-42 in your application.