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Netflix Animation Studios seeks a Head of Character Effects to lead character asset creation for animated film productions. This role oversees the character asset team—including Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and Character Effects (CFX)—ensuring character designs are artistically compelling and technically robust throughout asset development, look development, and shot production.
You will partner closely with Directors, Production Designers, VFX Supervisors, Art Directors, and Technical Supervisors to translate 2D character concepts into production-ready 3D assets. Key responsibilities include defining the technical and artistic approach for character construction, reviewing and providing detailed feedback on all character builds, solving complex technical pipeline challenges, and ensuring characters feel expressive, appealing, and aligned with the film's visual language.
You'll lead and mentor Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and CFX Supervisors and artists, fostering professional growth and positive team culture. You'll drive character reviews, collaborate on bids and schedules with Production Management, and work with Technical Supervisors and pipeline teams to optimize asset-creation tools and maintain efficient, standardized workflows. This position bridges artistic vision and 3D technical reality, balancing creative ambition with schedule, budget, and pipeline constraints.
Required: 10+ years in character asset creation (film, TV, or games), with 5–7 years in a leadership or supervisory role on large-scale animated features or VFX films. Deep knowledge of Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and CFX workflows, including skeletal, skinning, and deformation systems. Production-level proficiency in Maya and ZBrush, texturing packages (Substance, Mari, Photoshop), and familiarity with Houdini, Katana, and RenderMan. Strong understanding of the full 3D animation pipeline, USD, and real-time workflows. Experience with Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid) and project management systems. Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills with the ability to collaborate across diverse departments. Self-starter with strong time management and the ability to make sound judgments under production pressure.
Hybrid role (minimum 3 days/week in Sydney office).
