Job Details

Look Development Technical Director - Expression of Interest

Job ID: 10137582

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Business: Industrial Light & Magic

Date posted: Nov. 25, 2025

Job Summary:

This posting is an opportunity to submit your resume for future consideration; this is not a role that is open at this time. We anticipate this role may be open in the future, but we are not actively hiring for the position. If you would like to be considered for this potential role, please submit your resume. If the role becomes available, you may receive an email or call from a recruiter.

Look Development Technical Directors produce high-quality look dev and shading for our CG Assets, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Supervisors. They have the flexibility of moving into lighting shot production, producing high end lighting during show production.

What You'll Do

• Scrutinize the colors and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicate them in CG
• Design and create the lighting and the look of computer generated objects and scenes
• Oversee the final CG scene assembly, lighting and rendering of very complex shots
• Works closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges and developing the final look
• Creates lighting set ups and/or works within current set ups
• Creates efficient rendering setups in order to optimise render farm usage
• Stays on schedule and meets set deadlines while maintaining the highest level of work quality
• Ensures there is ongoing communication with Production and Leads regarding schedules and deadlines
• Helps mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team
• Create & maintain simple materials using the provided shading templates
• Create & maintain custom hero materials and shading networks when necessary
• Deep understanding of real world materials
• Understanding of energy conservation principles
• Deep understanding of Physically based rendering and shader models
• Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results
• Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind

What We're Looking For

• At least 5 years of relevant professional VFX experience and at least a college level diploma or higher in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR at least 7 years of relevant professional VFX experience (in lieu of education).
• Experience with real-world lighting and photography
• Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment
• Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks
• Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism
• Has a broad understanding of modern shading models
• Has an in-depth understanding of PBR (physically based rendering)
• Demonstrates the ability to help and teach more junior-level artists
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manages time very well, provides everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion
• Demonstrates excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what should be addressed next in a shot
• Demonstrates the ability to work within a team environment
• Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency
• Demonstrates the ability to work with minimal supervision to complete a shot
• A thorough knowledge of the vfx pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing
• Ability to pick-up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily
• Knowledge of Katana is essential, Maya and Zeno beneficial
• Knowledge of texturing and lighting
• Knowledge of python and/or MEL scripting is essential
• Strong interest in shading technologies
• At ease with Linux based operating systems
• Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques
• In depth knowledge in building shading networks in katana using Renderman
• Scripting ability beneficial
• Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems
• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including modelling, textures, grooming, layout & compositing

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $101,300 to $132,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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