Look Development Technical Director

Job Description

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
This posting is an opportunity to submit your resume for future consideration; this is not a role that is open at this time. We anticipate this role may be open in the future, but we are not actively hiring for the position. If you would like to be considered for this potential role, please submit your resume. If the role becomes available, you may receive an email or call from a recruiter.
Position Summary
This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
Look Dev Technical Directors are responsible for producing high-quality look dev and shading for our CG Assets, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Supervisors. Have the flexibility of moving into lighting shot production, producing high end lighting during show production.
What You'll Do
Scrutinize the colours and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicates them in CG
Design and create the lighting and the look of computer generated objects and scenes
Responsible for the final CG scene assembly, lighting and rendering of very complex shots
Works closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges and developing the final look
Creates lighting set ups and/or works within current set ups
Creates efficient rendering setups in order to optimise render farm usage
Stays on schedule and meets set deadlines while maintaining the highest level of work quality
Ensures there is ongoing communication with Production and Leads regarding schedules and deadlines
Helps mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team
Create & maintain simple materials using the provided shading templates
Create & maintain custom hero materials and shading networks when necessary
Deep understanding of real world materials
Understanding of energy conservation principles
Deep understanding of Physically based rendering and shader models
Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results
Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind
What We're Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics or equivalent or previous professional experience in a related field
Experience with real-world lighting and photography
Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment
Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks
Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism
Has a broad understanding of modern shading models
Has an in-depth understanding of PBR (physically based rendering)
Demonstrates the ability to help and teach more junior-level artists
Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manages time very well, provides everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion
Demonstrates excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what should be addressed next in a shot
Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency
Demonstrates the ability to work with minimal supervision to complete a shot
A thorough understanding of the vfx pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing
Ability to pick-up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily
Knowledge of Katana is essential, Maya and Zeno beneficial
A good understanding of texturing and lighting
Knowledge of python and/or MEL scripting is essential
Strong interest in shading technologies
At ease with Linux based operating systems
Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques
In depth knowledge in building shading networks in katana using Renderman
Scripting ability beneficial
Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems
Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including modelling, textures, grooming, layout & compositing
JoinILM
The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$85,900.00 to C$109,900.00 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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 full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with ILM (Vancouver) Inc., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-74qp88-216-73-216-0-42 in your application.