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Non Union Dc Studios Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Swaybox Studios

Costumer

New Orleans, LA · On-site

As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves' 6th and Idaho on ... Swaybox Studios also complies with applicable Louisiana laws governing non-discrimination in ...

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How much do non union dc studios jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for non union dc studios in the United States is $18.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a non union DC Studios job?

Non Union DC Studios jobs refer to positions at DC Studios that are not governed by a labor union agreement. These roles can span various departments such as production, post-production, administration, and technical support, but employees in these positions are not represented by unions like IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, or others. Non-union jobs may offer more flexibility but might lack certain benefits and protections that union jobs provide. These roles are often filled on a contract or freelance basis, especially for specific projects or productions.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a non-union production crew member at DC Studios?

To thrive as a Non-Union Production Crew Member at DC Studios, you generally need hands-on experience in film or television production, knowledge of set protocols, and a relevant educational background or proven work history. Familiarity with industry-standard equipment, production scheduling software, and safety procedures is typically required. Flexibility, strong teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for adapting to fast-paced and often changing environments. These skills and qualifications ensure smooth production processes, maintain safety, and help deliver high-quality content on tight deadlines.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in a non-union DC Studios environment?

Professionals working in a non-union DC Studios environment may encounter challenges such as less standardized workplace protections, varying pay scales, and differences in benefits compared to unionized counterparts. Additionally, there may be less formalized grievance procedures and fewer collective bargaining opportunities. However, non-union settings can also offer more flexible work arrangements and opportunities for direct negotiation with management, which can be beneficial for certain individuals seeking tailored career paths.

What is the difference between Non Union Dc Studios vs Union Dc Studios?

AspectNon Union Dc StudiosUnion Dc Studios
CredentialsTypically no union-specific certifications requiredMay require union membership or certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, flexible, often project-basedStructured, regulated by union agreements
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by independent producers and smaller studiosCommon in larger studios with union contracts
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing non-union vs union studio workPeople seeking union studio opportunities

Non Union Dc Studios typically operate without union regulations, offering more flexibility but less job security. Union Dc Studios follow union rules, providing benefits and protections but with more structured work conditions. The choice depends on your preference for flexibility versus union benefits.

What cities are hiring for Non Union Dc Studios jobs?

Cities with the most Non Union Dc Studios job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Dc Studios jobs?

The most popular types of Dc Studios jobs are:

What states have the most Non Union Dc Studios jobs?

States with the most job openings for Non Union Dc Studios jobs include:

Non Union Dc Studios jobs near you
Infographic showing various Non Union Dc Studios job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,621 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Houdini Technical Director

Swaybox Studios

New Orleans, LA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Why join Swaybox Studios?
Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves' 6th and Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you'll help bring bold creative visions to life through hands-on artistry and performance. This is your chance to be a part of a production that's equal parts innovative and unforgettable.
Houdini Technical Director
Location: New Orleans, LA - Onsite
Studio: Swaybox Studios
Department: VFX / Technical Direction
Reports To: VFX Supervisor
Employment Type: Full Time
Why join Swaybox Studios?
At Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves' 6th and Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you'll play a vital role in coordinating the artistry and logistics that bring bold visions to life. This is your chance to help lead a production that's equal parts innovative and unforgettable.
Job Summary:
Swaybox Studios is seeking an experienced Houdini Technical Director to develop, implement, and maintain tools, procedures, and workflows that optimize our Houdini pipeline across VFX, Animation, Unreal, and Technical Direction teams.
Working closely with artists, supervisors, and pipeline developers, you'll create intuitive procedural tools that automate repetitive tasks, improve production efficiency, and solve complex technical challenges. You'll play a critical role in ensuring our artists have reliable, scalable workflows, while helping evolve the studio's overall pipeline architecture to support a hybrid production environment.
This role leans heavily into the technical side, but relies on the creative understanding for the needs of the artists. It's ideal for someone who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, building artist-friendly tools, node graphs, HDA structures, VEX expressions, and collaborating across departments to continually improve how work gets done.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop, maintain, and optimize custom Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs), procedural tools, scripts, and workflows that improve artist efficiency and uphold pipeline best practices.
  • Design scalable procedural systems that support simulation, environments, asset generation, geometry processing, lighting, and other production workflows.
  • Develop and maintain non-destructive scene-graph pipelines and create custom operators for the artists to work from.
  • Implement and maintain naming conventions, asset organization standards, version control practices, and pipeline integrations that align with the studio's production infrastructure.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to Houdini tools, simulations, procedural networks, asset processing, caching, lighting, rendering, and pipeline integration, serving as a primary technical resource for artists.
  • Automate manual production tasks through Python, VEX, and Houdini's procedural framework to improve consistency, efficiency, and reliability.
  • Balance immediate production support with long-term pipeline development, prioritizing critical production needs, while continuing to improve studio workflows.
  • Collaborate closely with Supervisors, Pipeline TDs, Production, and artists to identify workflow challenges and develop practical technical solutions.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, user guides, training materials, and onboarding resources that encourage successful adoption of new tools and workflows.
  • Continuously evaluate production workflows, artist feedback, and emerging technologies to recommend improvements that enhance efficiency and creative flexibility.
  • Partner with Pipeline, Unreal, Maya, and Nuke Technical Directors to ensure smooth interoperability between applications and maintain a cohesive production pipeline.
  • Collaborate with Pipeline TDs and Render Wranglers to integrate Houdini and Arnold with Deadline in-house and via cloud-based rendering.
  • Use ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) API to automatically configure networks within Houdini.
  • Excel in a fast-paced environment, with shifting priorities and tight deadlines, demonstrating exceptional organization and flexibility.
  • Stay current with advances in Houdini, procedural workflows, simulation technologies, and industry best practices, evaluating opportunities to improve the studio's technical capabilities.

Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience as a Houdini Technical Director, Pipeline TD, or similar technical role in a high-end VFX, Animation, or hybrid production environment.
  • Expert knowledge of Houdini, including procedural modeling, simulations, SOPs, DOPs, LOPs/Solaris, COPs, HDAs, and production pipeline development with a heavy focus/comprehension of lighting and rendering through Arnold.
  • Strong proficiency with Python, VEX, and HScript, with experience developing custom procedural tools, automation, and pipeline integrations.
  • Deep understanding of film production pipelines and how Houdini integrates with FX, animation, lighting, compositing, and rendering workflows.
  • Experience building scalable, production-ready tools that support complex film-quality workflows.
  • Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills with a proven ability to diagnose and resolve production issues quickly and effectively.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance production support alongside ongoing tool development.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical artists.
  • Experience with Git, Rez, and other related version control systems and environment & package managers with collaborative development practices.
  • Use of unittest or similar framework testing to ensure no disruptions in active/current scripts.
  • Experience working with cloud-based rendering, distributed simulations, or scalable compute environments.
  • In-depth knowledge of color management, geometry caching, and asset publishing systems.
  • Experience with ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) management software's API
  • Efficiency and experience with Linux systems and shell scripting.
  • An iterative mindset and willingness to receive and implement constructive feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • PySide, PyQT, or QT Designer experience is preferred.
  • Experience developing procedural workflows for environments, destruction, particles, crowds, vegetation, terrain generation, or large-scale simulations is advantageous.
  • C++ and OpenCL experience is great to have.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine and developing Houdini workflows using Houdini Engine.
  • Experience with Maya, Nuke, and modern cross-application pipeline development.
  • Understanding of rendering workflows using Karma, RenderMan, Redshift, or similar renderers.
  • Familiarity with motion capture, photogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, or virtual production workflows is a plus.
  • Previous experience collaborating with SideFX on support tickets, feature requests, or beta programs is highly desirable.

At Swaybox Studios, we believe that great storytelling comes from diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, talents, and identities.
We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Swaybox Studios also complies with applicable Louisiana laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are dedicated to fostering a creative, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.

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