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Netflix Animation Studios seeks a Head of Characters to lead character asset creation for animated film productions. This is a show-based leadership role reporting to creative and production leadership, overseeing the character asset team including Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and Character Effects (CFX) departments.
You will define the technical and artistic approach for character construction, translating 2D character concepts into production-ready 3D assets. Key responsibilities include supervising character asset development from concept through final CFX, providing creative and technical guidance to ensure characters are artistically compelling and technically robust. You'll conduct character reviews, give detailed feedback across departments, and ensure all assets meet quality standards while remaining efficient and stable in production.
You will collaborate closely with Directors, Production Designers, Art Directors, VFX Supervisors, and Technical Supervisors to bridge artistic vision with 3D technical reality. This involves solving complex pipeline challenges, optimizing asset-creation workflows, and ensuring seamless integration across downstream departments (Animation, CFX, Crowds, Lighting). You'll work with Production Management on bids, schedules, and resource allocation to deliver on time and within budget.
Leadership is central to this role: you'll mentor Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and CFX Supervisors and artists, fostering professional growth and positive team culture. You must communicate effectively across disciplines, translating technical concepts for creative partners and vice versa, while demonstrating collaboration, humility, and inclusion.
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 expertise in Modeling, Rigging, Surfacing, and CFX workflows, including skeletal systems, skinning, and deformation principles. 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 project management systems like Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid). Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills with the ability to work under production pressure.
