FX Houdini Artist

CoSA VFX Vancouver, Inc. has remote opportunities in its Canada-based studio with preference given to British Columbia and Ontario based artists.

Reporting to the Global Head of CG, this position requires top-level FX skills, collaboration within a team, and creative problem-solving.

CoSA is an award-winning, fast-paced and highly collaborative studio focused on providing the highest levels of photo-real visual effects to feature, streaming and network television projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaborate with VFX, CG, and department supervisors to deliver FX that meet creative vision, technical requirements, and production deadlines.

Create a wide range of FX in Houdini, including fire, smoke, fluids, electricity, explosions, supernatural/magical effects, and large-scale destruction.

Develop and refine procedural FX setups that are efficient, scalable, and adaptable by other artists

Work from scratch or enhance existing setups, optimizing for performance, caching, and rendering

Maintain consistency with established art styles while adapting to the creative needs of individual projects

Participate in reviews and critiques, providing solutions to enhance quality and efficiency

Research and collect reference material to guide look development

Troubleshoot and resolve technical and artistic challenges, collaborating across departments for seamless integration of FX into shots

REQUIREMENTS:

4+ years of professional experience in film, streaming episodics, cinematics, or high-end commercials

Proven experience producing FX such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam, magical effects, and destruction

Strong understanding of simulation techniques, procedural workflows, and FX optimization

Proficiency with one or more industry-standard renderers (e.g., Karma XPU, Redshift, V-Ray, Mantra)

Working knowledge of production tracking tools such as Ftrack, ShotGrid, or equivalent

Ability to adapt to various art styles and quickly learn new tools and pipelines

Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Python and HOM scripting; VEX experience a plus

Procedural shader creation and USD-based FX workflows

FX concept art skills for pitches and look development

Compositing experience in Nuke

Requires 4+ years of professional FX experience, Houdini proficiency, simulation and procedural workflow expertise, renderer experience, production tracking knowledge, and strong problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

• creating FX
• developing setups
• troubleshooting challenges

Skills & Tools

Houdini, Karma XPU, Redshift, V-Ray, Mantra, Ftrack, ShotGrid, Python, HOM, VEX, USD, Nuke

Job Details

• Category: Creative and Art Services
• Seniority: Mid Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — Vancouver or Ontario
• Salary: CAD 95,000 – 165,000 / year
• Languages: English

About CoSA VFX Vancouver, Inc.

An award-winning visual effects studio producing photoreal work for film, streaming, and television. — Industry: Media and Communications