Character Modeler - Netflix Animation Studios

Job summary

Interpret 2D designs to create production-ready 3D character models while maintaining artistic intent. Ensure models are highly optimized with clean topology and accurate UVs for downstream departments like Rigging and Lighting.

Job details

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us! Job Summary: Are you interested in working on Netflix Animation Studios’ next animated feature with our highly talented team of artists? We are looking for Character Modeling Artists who love building appealing stylised characters from strong proportions and clean forms to production-ready topology and UVs. Experience with Marvelous Designer is a plus. This role is focused on creating complete production-ready character models for our upcoming projects. What You’ll Do: Interpret 2D designs and translate them into 3D space while maintaining the original artistic intent. Produce complex or stylised character models to a high standard with a strong understanding of appeal, silhouette, proportion, shape and scale. Produce accurate UVs for models for use in downstream departments. Produce highly optimised meshes with clean production-ready topology that can be rendered and displayed efficiently for downstream departments such as Rigging, Layout and Lighting. Assume responsibility for ensuring assigned work is produced to the appropriate standard quality within the scheduled timeframe and deadline. Maintain good communication with the Leadership team. What You’ll Need: 3+ years’ experience modelling within a VFX or Animated Feature pipeline Proficiency with Maya and ZBrush Experience with Marvelous Designer Strong understanding of character appeal, silhouette, proportion, and shape language Solid understanding of proper edge flow and polygon density Solid understanding of the topology for static and deforming objects Excellent attention to detail and the ability to abstract and interpret design down to its fundamentals Strong organizational and time management skills What you’ll need to include on your application: Turntables, with wireframes, of character and creature models This role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office). At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $68k - $145k CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have stock options. NAS benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off. See more details about our benefits here. Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner. We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What you’ll do

Interpret 2D designs to create production-ready 3D character models while maintaining artistic intent. Ensure models are highly optimized with clean topology and accurate UVs for downstream departments like Rigging and Lighting.

Requirements

Requires 3+ years of modeling experience in a VFX or animated feature pipeline. Proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Marvelous Designer is essential, along with a strong understanding of character appeal and topology.

Benefits

• Medical plan • Dental plan • Vision plan • Mental health support • Retirement programs • Family-forming benefits • Paid leave of absence • Paid time off

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Character modeling
• Maya
• ZBrush
• Marvelous Designer
• Topology
• UV mapping
• Character appeal
• Silhouette
• Proportion
• Shape language
• Edge flow
• Polygon density
• Time management
• Communication
• VFX pipeline
• Animated feature pipeline
• Time Off Management
• Paving
• Animations
• Mental Health
• Cosmetics
• Leadership
• Autodesk Maya
• Time Management
• Visual Effects
• Wireframing
• Rigging
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Creative & Media
• Art & Design
• Technology
• Software
• Character Modeler
• Rigger
• Riggers and Cable Splicers
• Riggers