FX Houdini Artist at CoSA VFX – United States

CoSA VFX has a short-term, remote opportunity for an experienced FX Houdini Artist with its US-based studio. Reporting to the Global Head of CG, top-level FX skills, collaboration within a team and creative problem-solving on tight production schedules are a must. CoSA VFX is an award-winning, fast-paced and highly collaborative studio focusing on photo-real visual effects across feature, streaming and network television projects. RESPONSIBILITIES: · Collaborate with VFX, CG, and department supervisors to deliver FX that meet creative vision, technical requirements, and production deadlines. · Create a wide range of FX in Houdini, including fire, smoke, fluids, electricity, explosions, supernatural/magical effects, and large-scale destruction. · Develop and refine procedural FX setups that are efficient, scalable, and adaptable by other artists · Work from scratch or enhance existing setups, optimizing for performance, caching, and rendering · Maintain consistency with established art styles while adapting to the creative needs of individual projects · Participate in reviews and critiques, providing solutions to enhance quality and efficiency · Research and collect reference material to guide look development ·Troubleshoot and resolve technical and artistic challenges, collaborating across departments for seamless integration of FX into shots REQUIREMENTS: · 4+ years of professional experience in film, streaming episodics, cinematics, or high-end commercials · Proven experience producing FX such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam, magical effects, and destruction · Strong understanding of simulation techniques, procedural workflows, and FX optimization · Proficiency with one or more industry-standard renderers (e.g., Karma XPU, Redshift, V-Ray, Mantra) · Working knowledge of production tracking tools such as Ftrack, ShotGrid, or equivalent · Ability to adapt to various art styles and quickly learn new tools and pipelines · Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines PREFERRED SKILLS: · Python and HOM scripting; VEX experience a plus · Procedural shader creation and USD-based FX workflows · FX concept art skills for pitches and look development · Compositing experience in Nuke