Crowd Technical Director - Expression of Interest
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10121556 Location Vancouver, Canada Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Oct. 07, 2025Job Summary:
This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
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.
The main focus of the position will be to create crowd simulations for our CG scenes, using either off the shelf or our own proprietary software to populate cities, large scale environments and choreograph battles.
At ILM, we strive to be an inclusive environment, and we are committed to considering promising individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences for this position.
What You’ll Do
Choreograph the motion and behaviour of crowds in shots, meeting the artistic direction of the show supervisor.
Manage the motions and cycles used on your show, including creating blending cycles.
Assist in developing efficient workflows within Houdini, including creating and modifying internal HDAs.
Creatively use existing motion and character variations to create visual diversity within a crowd.
Troubleshoot technical issues within Houdini and the wider pipeline.
Work with Production and your lead to meet the show deadlines.
Communicate with artists across disciplines to work effectively as part of the wider show team.
Attend dailies to present your work and receive feedback from the show supervisor.
Collaborate within the crowd team, sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of the department.
What We’re Looking For
Strong knowledge of Houdini Software
Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to address technical and artistic challenges
In- depth understanding of cinematic principles and composition
Background working on high end VFX or animated feature-film productions
Experience working with motion capture and/or clip-based animation
Proficiency with Linux
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines whilst maintaining a high quality output
Nice to have:
Proficiency scripting in Vex and/or Python
Strong understanding of Houdini input/output pipeline
Experience with cloth/hair simulation
Working knowledge of Maya and rigging
Keen eye for how crowds flock and move
JoinILM
The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$98,800 to C$126,400 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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 full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.
About Industrial Light & Magic:
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with ILM (Vancouver) Inc., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.