Senior Technical Artist - Houdini

NVIDIA • Santa Clara, CA

3d

About The Position

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world! What you’ll be doing: Collaborating with art directors, and artists to develop stunning visuals, procedural assets, and simulations, using SideFX Houdini as the core tool. You’ll bridge the gap between art and technology, working alongside world-class talent to solve complex technical challenges, distill complicated ideas into beautiful story-telling imagery and cinematics, and pioneer new techniques in procedural modeling, simulation, and asset creation. We're looking for curious minds that love to tinker and explore new tools and visual techniques that continually push the limits on what's possible with computer-generated imagery (CGI), with a passion for problem solving, photorealism, and procedural workflows.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience as a Technical Artist with a strong focus on SideFX Houdini.
• Demonstrate expertise in a range of key areas from procedural modeling, simulations (particles, cloth, fluids, RBD, MPM), look dev, lighting, and compositing.
• Experience working with Solaris and USD (Universal Scene Description).
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to generate a variety of 3D visual ideas and simulation workflows based on the project's requirements, and communicate solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical team members.
• Solid understanding of Houdini nodes, attributes, and the geometry spreadsheet.
• Create organized, efficient, and versatile workflows within Houdini.
• Experience using Vex or VOPs is encouraged.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating your Houdini skillset creating procedural art, simulations, photorealistic renderings, or technical art projects. Please provide a link to your website or portfolio showcasing your best work.
• BS/MS in Computer Science, Art, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in NVIDIA Omniverse is highly valuable
• Proficiency with other Houdini plugins and complementary tools such as MOPs, Axiom, HDR Light Studio, or Substance Designer/Painter
• Bonus if you have skills with Copernicus, PDG TOPs, or creating HDA’s.
• Experience with rendering software like Karma, Redshift, Vray, or Corona.
• Compositing experience with Nuke or After Effects for integrating CG elements, AOVs, and creating final pixel outputs
• Bonus Film or Photography experience. Any foundational knowledge in using light and materials to achieve photorealism
• Showcase working with AI tools to help with look development, tooling, or 3D workflows, or have used automation, machine learning, or other AI implementations that explore innovative or time-saving solutions

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with art directors, and artists to develop stunning visuals, procedural assets, and simulations, using SideFX Houdini as the core tool.
• Bridge the gap between art and technology
• Solve complex technical challenges
• Distill complicated ideas into beautiful story-telling imagery and cinematics
• Pioneer new techniques in procedural modeling, simulation, and asset creation.

Benefits

• You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level