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Nuke Compositor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

You'llneed to be as credible talking to a Nuke compositor as you are in a boardroom with studio executives. * Codify repeatable playbooks: Document reference architectures, prompt engineering ...

You'llneed to be as credible talking to a Nuke compositor as you are in a boardroom with studio executives. * Codify repeatable playbooks: Document reference architectures, prompt engineering ...

You'llneed to be as credible talking to a Nuke compositor as you are in a boardroom with studio executives. * Codify repeatable playbooks: Document reference architectures, prompt engineering ...

You'll need to be as credible talking to a Nuke compositor as you are in a boardroom with studio executives. * Codify repeatable playbooks: Document reference architectures, prompt engineering ...

Nuke Compositor information

See California salary details

$5

$27

How much do nuke compositor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuke compositor in California is $26.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.11 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a Nuke compositor make?

A Nuke compositor's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level compositors may earn around $50,000, while experienced professionals with advanced skills and certifications can earn over $100,000 per year.

Is compositing a stressful job?

Nuke compositors often work under tight deadlines and high project demands, which can contribute to stress. The job requires attention to detail, technical skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, but workload and project pressure are common factors affecting stress levels.

What is a Nuke Compositor?

A Nuke Compositor is a visual effects (VFX) artist who combines multiple elements like CGI, live-action footage, and matte paintings to create seamless final shots for films, TV shows, and commercials. Using The Foundry’s Nuke software, they adjust color, lighting, and other details to ensure realism and consistency within a scene. Their work is crucial in making VFX elements blend naturally with the original footage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Nuke Compositor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuke Compositor, you need strong skills in digital compositing, color correction, and a solid understanding of visual effects principles, often supported by a relevant degree or diploma in VFX, animation, or film. Expertise in Nuke software, familiarity with related tools like Photoshop and After Effects, and experience working in a studio pipeline are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills that help in collaborating with other departments. These abilities ensure the seamless integration of live-action footage and digital elements, meeting the high standards of professional visual effects production.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Nuke Compositor in a VFX studio?

A Nuke Compositor’s typical day involves assembling and combining visual elements from various sources to create final, seamless scenes in films, TV shows, or commercials. You’ll be responsible for tasks such as keying, rotoscoping, tracking, color matching, and integrating CGI with live-action footage according to the project's creative direction. Collaboration is essential, as you will frequently work with 3D artists, matte painters, VFX supervisors, and production coordinators. Expect regular reviews and feedback sessions to refine your work and meet the director’s or client’s vision, often while working on tight deadlines.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuke Compositor jobs in California?

The most popular types of Nuke Compositor jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Nuke Compositor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Nuke Compositor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Nuke Compositor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Nuke Compositor job openings:

Infographic showing various Nuke Compositor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 10% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,266 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Nuke Compositor / Motion Designer - Advertising

Rodeo FX

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Contractor

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Company Description
Repeatedly voted one of Montreal's Top Employers and Employer of the Year for the 2022 Mercuriades Awards, Rodeo FX is a high-end creative company offering services in visual effects, advertising, animation, and experiential.
Nominated for multiple Emmy® Awards for its work on the series Stranger Things season 4, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, the independent, Oscar®-winning company boasts close to 800 artists crafting from studios in Montreal, Québec City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Paris.
Rodeo FX is a creative partner to the world's best storytellers including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros. and Sony, and has collaborated on ads for YouTube, NBC and Apple. Current projects include Dune: Prophecy, Silo Season 2 and Sonic 3. Recently released projects include The Rings of Power Season 2, Venom: The Last Dance, Taika Waitit's Time Bandits, and House of the Dragon Season 2.
Job Description
Please note that this posting is an expression of interest only and is not an active role at this time.
We are always happy to connect with talented candidates for future opportunities. We are open to different types of collaboration, including permanent, temporary, and freelance contracts.
If you are interested in working with us, we encourage you to apply and share your profile.
The Nuke Compositor / Motion Designer produces high-quality visual work for advertising, branded content and experiential projects. Combining strong Nuke compositing expertise with motion design, Photoshop and broader 2D capabilities, the artist contributes to a range of creative and technical assignments throughout production.
Working closely with Creative Directors, VFX Supervisors, producers and other artists, the person translates creative briefs and feedback into polished visual solutions that meet established creative, technical and delivery standards.
This hybrid role is intended for an artist whose primary expertise is Nuke compositing and who is also comfortable contributing to motion design, graphic animation, image manipulation and other 2D production needs.
This Expression of Interest is not associated with an immediate confirmed opening. Initial opportunities may be offered on a freelance or project-based contract basis, with the potential for longer-term contracts or regular employment as production needs evolve.
Key Responsibilities:
Compositing and Visual Effects
  • Create high-quality 2D compositing work using Nuke.
  • Integrate live-action footage, CG renders, photographic assets and graphic elements into cohesive final images.
  • Perform keying, tracking, cleanup, paint, rotoscoping, colour adjustments and other compositing tasks as required.
  • Maintain visual consistency in lighting, colour, perspective, depth and continuity.
  • Identify and resolve creative and technical compositing issues.
  • Deliver polished work that supports the creative vision and quality standards of Rodeo Ads.

Motion Design and 2D Content Creation
  • Create, adapt and animate graphic elements based on creative briefs and visual references.
  • Prepare, retouch and manipulate visual assets using Photoshop and other relevant tools.
  • Contribute to titles, typography, transitions, screen graphics and other animated visual elements.
  • Adapt creative work for different formats, durations, platforms and delivery specifications.
  • Apply strong principles of design, composition, timing and animation.
  • Move effectively between compositing, motion design and general 2D assignments according to production needs.

Creative Collaboration and Problem-Solving
  • Collaborate with Creative Directors, VFX Supervisors, producers and artists to determine the appropriate visual and technical approach.
  • Interpret creative briefs, concepts, storyboards, references and client feedback.
  • Participate in creative reviews and production discussions.
  • Implement internal and client feedback accurately and efficiently.
  • Propose practical solutions that balance creative quality, schedules and production constraints.
  • Remain adaptable as project requirements, priorities and creative direction evolve.

Production and Delivery
  • Plan and organize assigned work according to production schedules and priorities.
  • Communicate progress, dependencies, challenges and potential delivery risks to the appropriate stakeholders.
  • Maintain organized project files, Nuke scripts and visual assets in accordance with established workflows.
  • Follow technical specifications, naming conventions and version-control practices.
  • Review work before submission to ensure that deliverables meet project requirements.
  • Manage multiple assignments and iterations in a fast-paced production environment.
  • Contribute to improvements in production workflows, tools and working practices.
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful and solutions-oriented working environment.
  • Stay informed about emerging visual trends, production methods and technologies relevant to the role.

Qualifications
  • Relevant professional experience in visual effects compositing, advertising, post-production, motion design or a related creative-production environment.
  • Demonstrated expertise in Nuke.
  • Strong knowledge of 2D compositing principles and production workflows.
  • Experience in motion design and graphic animation.
  • Proficiency with Photoshop.
  • Knowledge of After Effects or other motion-design software is considered a strong asset.
  • Experience integrating live-action footage, CG renders and graphic elements.
  • Strong understanding of composition, colour, lighting, perspective, timing and visual storytelling.
  • Strong creative and technical problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work across different visual styles, formats and project types.
  • Strong organizational, communication and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to manage priorities and deliver quality work within established deadlines.
  • Professional demo reel or portfolio demonstrating strong Nuke compositing and broader motion-design or 2D capabilities.
  • Experience in advertising, commercials, branded content or experiential projects is considered an asset.
  • Knowledge of Flame, real-time production, interactive content or emerging creative technologies is considered an asset.
  • Excellent command of English, spoken and written.

Additional Information
Diversity : At Rodeo FX, diversity is a core value. We're committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where different perspectives are embraced. Every team member brings unique insight that strengthens our creativity, challenges our thinking, and helps us deliver better work.
Rodeo FX may use AI-based tools to support certain steps of the recruitment process, such as interview transcription or preliminary application analysis. These tools may be operated by third-party providers, and data may be processed outside Quebec. These tools never replace human decision-making: all final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers. To learn more about how we protect your personal information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy.
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