Technical Director, Build

About the role

Dreamgames is seeking a technical leader to join our London animation studio. You will bridge the gap between technical infrastructure and artistic execution, helping our teams produce high-quality characters for feature-length animation.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Support the artistic goals of the asset and lookdev departments through technical implementation
• Manage and update the animation pipeline, specifically focusing on asset loading and publishing protocols
• Standardize the review process for creative teams
• Write documentation and establish workflows to encourage ongoing technical growth
• Develop automated sanity checks to maintain asset standards
• Consult with the animation team to ensure assets are optimized for rendering
• Collaborate with leadership to identify bottlenecks and automate repetitive tasks
• Design and deploy new tools to streamline creative production
• Act as a technical representative for the character department during cross-functional planning
• Provide direct technical troubleshooting and guidance to artists

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of character build pipelines, including modeling, grooming, texturing, and lookdev
• Proficiency in core production software: Houdini, Maya, and Blender
• Practical experience with USD, specifically regarding character shading and variants
• Ability to write Python and VEX code to build HDAs, gizmos, and custom tools
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and strict schedules
• Experience coordinating workflows between internal staff and outside vendors
• Strong collaborative mindset

Nice to have

• Previous professional background in rigging or lookdev
• Familiarity with AYON or Renderman
• Experience with C++ or AI-driven workflows

Skills & tools

• Houdini
• Maya
• Blender
• Python
• VEX
• USD

Practical notes

• Dreamgames prioritizes data security during the hiring process. Applicants should review the Statement of Personal Data Protection Law and Consent Letter provided by the company before applying.