52 Houdini Character Designer Jobs Hiring Near You

OUR STORY

For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has been growing and evolving, yet at our core, we remain grounded in the creative roots of the craft of animation.  Our pursuit of fresh ideas, techniques, and technologies is driven by the belief that together, through creativity and collaboration, we can accomplish anything!  If you want to be part of an environment that empowers you to experiment, learn, and contribute to exciting projects, come and join us.

Requirements

What You'll Do 

Core Responsibilities 

• Develop and execute complex character effects such as hair, fur, cloth, and muscle simulations using Houdini. 

• Collaborate closely with the modeling, rigging, animation, and lighting departments to ensure seamless integration of character effects. 

• Create tools and scripts to optimize and streamline CFX workflows. 

• Troubleshoot and solve technical issues related to CFX to ensure smooth production flow. 

• Maintain and support existing CFX setups and pipelines. 

• Work with the CFX Supervisor and CFX Lead to meet project deadlines and ensure the quality of work is consistent with the studio's standards. 

• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and techniques in character effects and simulation. 

Collaboration & Workflow 

• Collaborate with leadership, production, and team members to solve problems and share insights. 

• Engage in dailies, rounds, and team discussions to contribute to creative and technical improvements. 

• Adhere to pipeline workflows and technical requirements for seamless integration into the production process. 

• For senior artists, actively mentor junior team members by providing constructive feedback, guidance, and support. 

Time Management & Communication 

• Maintain consistency in quality while meeting production needs. 

• Manage time effectively, working with production to stay on schedule. 

• Keep the team and production staff informed about progress, challenges, and solutions. 

What You'll Bring 

Experience 

• Proven experience as a CFX Artist in a feature film or high-end television production environment. 

• Proficiency in Houdini for character effects, including cloth, hair, fur, and muscle systems. 

• Strong understanding of physics, dynamics, and procedural animation techniques. 

• Proficiency in Python, VEX, or other scripting languages commonly used in Houdini is a plus. 

• Familiarity with other relevant software such as Maya, Nuke, and Marvelous Designer is a plus. 

Skills & Communication 

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. 

• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to take directions and work independently. 

• A degree or diploma in Computer Animation, Visual Effects, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred but not required based on experience. 

• Demo reel showcasing your work in character effects, specifically highlighting your use of Houdini. Portfolio Tips. 

• Breakdown of your contributions to each project/shot featured in your demo reel. 

• Any relevant side projects or personal work demonstrate your skills and creativity. 

Evaluation Method 

Portfolio-based Assessment 

• Extensive experience using Houdini for character effects. 

• Strong technical skills in physics, dynamics, and procedural animation. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in creating diverse and dynamic character effects. 

• High-level polish in character effects designs, demonstrating functionality and creativity. 

Tentative timeline: August 2026 to February 2027

Location: Candidates must be based in BC or QC

Benefits

Pay Range: CAD $1,300 - $2,000 per week   

This salary range reflects our current expectations for these roles as of this posting's date. Your final salary offer will consider various key factors, including your education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographical location, as well as the needs and requirements of the business. 

Flexible work environment, Extended Health and Wellness from day 1, RRSP matching are just some of the benefits. For more details, check out our website. 

At Bardel, we recognize that flexibility is key to doing great work. Our hybrid work environment is a valued perk designed to support individual accountability and empower our teams to work where they're most productive. We offer the choice to work remotely, balanced with intentional in-person time for collaboration, creativity, and team building. This role requires in-studio attendance at our Vancouver studio during onboarding and predetermined Rush Weeks. 

If this seems like a good fit, what are you waiting for, get your application in!