Jobs
At Weta Digital we’re passionate about our work and we attract some of the filmmaking world’s best creative and technical talent. Over 35 nationalities make up our team.
If you’d like to be a part of this cosmopolitan creative mix, love what you do, and have impressive skills and experience, we’d like to hear from you. We welcome and encourage applications from local freelancers and recent graduates, please see the positions advertised below.
We will not consider a job application unless you have registered your interest via the work enquiry form. Register your interest
More about applying for work at Weta Digital
Non-resident applicants
New Zealand immigration law requires that non-resident applicants have at least three years’ feature film experience to qualify for a working visa. Please note that Australian permanent residents/citizens are not required to apply for a NZ work visa
Jobs available at Weta
SIGGRAPH 2010 - Current Vacancies
16th July 2010
Weta Digital will be at SIGGRAPH 2010 in LA this year. If you're going to be in Los Angeles for SIGGRAPH 2010, we'd love to meet you there! We are keen to hear from you beforehand. Please register your interest ahead of time by sending a cover letter, contact information and resume to: recruitment@wetafx.co.nz.
The crew from Weta Digital look forward to meeting you at SIGGRAPH 2010 and hope you have a great time in Los Angeles!
FX - Weta Digital is now hiring for several FX Dept roles:
FX TD's:
Weta Digital is now hiring for FX TD's at all levels:
- 3-5 years or more as a full time FX artist on Feature Films
- Experience with fluid dynamics, particles and simulating natural phenomena
- Strong communication skills
- A demonstrated ability in composition, light, color, and natural motion
- Scripting experience, Python preferred
- Coding skills, Maya API, Prman DSO experience a plus
- Shader writing skills a plus
- Can solve demanding shot problems independently
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
GENERAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPER:
Please note: 3 years feature film experience is NOT required for this role. Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- General Senior Software Developer requirements
- Expertise in c/c++
- Experience with QT libraries, boost libraries, OpenGL, python, template meta programming
- Ability to adapt and learn
- Experience as a developer in a team environment
- CG industry experience preferable, but not required
Responsibilities include: Development of proprietary, state of the art simulation and rendering tools, and testing and support of these tools in the context of a rapidly paced production environment for feature films. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned software developer with a well developed aesthetic sense to transition into an area which is both technically challenging and creatively engaging.
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
COMPUTER GRAPHICS DEVELOPER - FX:
Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- 3 or more years industry experience
- Expertise in c/c++, Python; Maya/Maya-API/Mel, Renderman, Linux
- Experience cuda, OpenCl, OpenGL welcome
- Good understanding of algorithms in regards to physical based modelling ( fracture, FEM, CFD etc )
- Comfortable with concepts regarding commonly used datasets such as polygon-meshes. subd-surfaces, levelsets, volume grids
- Ability to work in a team environment and to adapt
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
COMPUTER GRAPHICS DEVELOPER - RENDERING:
Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- 3 or more years industry experience
- Expertise in c/c++
- Experience with cuda, OpenCl, OpenGL, Renderman or other renderers preferred
- Strong understanding of algorithms in regards to raytracing , participating media and compositing integration
- Experience with realtime visualization welcome
- Ability to work in a team environment and to adapt
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
LIGHTING TD
Weta Digital is now hiring for Lighting TD's. Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- 3-5 years or more as a full time senior artist on Feature Films.
- Poweruser in Maya, Renderman, Linux
- Strong communication skills.
- A demonstrated ability in composition, light, and colour
- Experience scripting in Python or mel preferred.
- Coding and/or scripting skills
- Shader writing skills
- Can solve demanding shot problems independently
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
SENIOR TEXTURES ARTIST
Weta Digital is currently looking for Senior Texture Artists.
Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- 3 years or more as a full time Senior Texture Artist on Feature Films.
- Painted texture for film, understand the nature of film color.
- Comfortable in Rendering turntable and setting up basics shaders for texture review
- Proficient in Hard Surface and/or Organic texture painting Software:
- Poweruser in Photoshop, Studiopaint or other 3d paint package (Bodypaint, DeepPaint)
- Poweruser in Maya
- User in Linux/Irix
- Experience in a multi platform environment a plus
- Renderman and shader writing experience a plus - Mudbox, Zbrush sculpting, Illustration experience a plus
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
SHADER WRITER
Weta Digital is currently looking for Shader Writers:
Candidates will ideally have at least 3 years of feature film experience and display the following attributes:
- Experience with Renderman shader writing
- Experience in shading assets/environments for photoreal feature film.
- Strong .sl skills and the ability to come up with creative, efficient rendering solutions
- Texturing/Lighting experience
- Familiarity with Maya and Linux.
- Experience with all aspects of the rendering pipeline.
- C++ dso/shadeop experience a plus.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
CREATURE TD/SENIOR CREATURE RIGGER
Weta Digital is currently looking for a Creature TD/Senior Creature Rigger
Candidates should demonstrate the following attributes:
- 5 years or more as a full time Senior Creature TD on Feature Films
- Focus on skinning and deformation of photo realistic characters and/or creatures
- Experience in Cloth and Hair - is advantageous, but is not required
- Poweruser in Maya
- Poweruser in Mel scripting
- User in Linux
- Python, Perl, and C++ knowledge a plus.
- Must be able to work well in a team environment
- Must be willing to relocate to New Zealand
- Must be available to start within 2 months or less.
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
ANIMATION TD
Weta requires an Animation TD to work on developing animation tools, supporting artists and trouble shooting problems working with the animation, motion edit and layout teams.
The specific job requirements are:
- Strong knowledge of Maya.
- Strong scripting abilities in python and mel for maya.
- Must be able to work well as part of a team.
- Strong technical and creative problem solving skills.
- Strong communication skills.
- Organize and prioritize tasks and respond to various requests regarding work at various stages of completion
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
MATTE PAINTER
Weta's award winning Digital Matte Painting Department is currently looking for ideal candidates to join our team to work on current and upcoming film productions. We are looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and possesses good communication skills and ideas while maintaining a professional outlook as we work closely with Supervisors and other Departments here at Weta. Matte Artists work in a creative and technically focussed environment running and creating their own shots, so a good understanding of traditional painting processes and 2.5D projection principles is ideal.
Most importantly our ideal candidate must have a good eye, attention to detail, be willing to multi task between projects when required and have a passion for creating stunning visual imagery.
Skills and experiences:
- 3-5 years professional experience in Visual Effects.
- Show reel should demonstrate compelling digital painting of photoreal environments
- Familiar with compositing packages, experience with Nuke preferable
- Clear understanding of 2.5D and camera fundamentals: projections,lenses, focal length, Fov
- Understanding of basic modeling using Maya a plus
- Ability to take creative direction
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Basic Linux/unix experience preferable
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume/portfolio to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
CONCEPT ARTIST
Weta Digital is currently looking for a Concept Artist with the following attributes:
- 3-5 years professional experience in Visual Effects
- Showreel should demonstrate compelling digital painting of photo real environments
- Understanding of basic modeling using maya a plus
- Digital Painter with imagination
- Discipline
- Good work ethics
- Open to take direction
- Using photographic imagery to create photo real conceptual work
- Demonstrate skills in concept design
- Vue experience is helpful but not essential,
- Advanced photoshop skills essential
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume/portfolio to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
MODELLER
Weta Digital is currently looking for Modellers, please note - you must have at least 3 years feature film experience.
Qualified candidates must have proven experience in production environments, demonstrated ability with high-end 3D modeling tools to create complex models, and the ability to create accurate models from 2d reference, previs or scan data.
Additional Requirements:
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience using Maya in a production environment
- An impressive reel showing a range of work as a Modeler (hard surface and organic)
- Exceptional hard surface and environment modeling skills
- Able to take direction and work independently while being an effective team player
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Knowledge of Linux system to perform daily tasks comfortably
- Experience with Mudbox, and ability to script in MEL and Python is an asset
- Experience with Cyslice and Uv layout is a plus
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com (including any online showreel links you have available) and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
Tintin Previs Animators (six month contract)
23rd June 2010
Previs Animators at Weta are expected to animate to a high level of finish. Solid animation skills are vital and feature film animation work preferable. You will be required to brainstorm and work on several ideas. Most of them being reworked many times. The work is what will shape the film and the Directors rely on us to visualise accurately the final story.
Ideal candidates will have:
* solid animation grounding (preferably CG feature film animation - FX or Character)
* camera animation work (laying out shots, staging, using film cameras or on-set experience)
* storytelling skills (short films, scriptwriting ability, acting, storyboarding, songwriting, comics)
* team working skills (working in a creative environment where you are required to work on your ideas and others)
* basic modelling skills a plus but not vital
* an ability to debug technical problems (a good attitude is preferred here over technical prowess, as things change often and a good attitude will get you farther)
* either experience or the potential to work with motion capture data.
* familiarity with the world of Tintin a bonus
* be comfortable swapping animation tasks, which often happens
* Maya experience essential
* Linux experience preferred
* It is really important to note that previs is not basic animation: A love of film-making is paramount but that doesn't eclipse core animation skills.
Due to NZ Immigration requirements and time constraints, applicants New Zealand and Australian citizens/residents preferred.
Please complete the Online Questionnaire at www.wetadigital.com, (including any online showreel links that you may have available) and send your resume to us at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
Apply for the jobFilemaker Developer
18th June 2010
Weta Digital's IT Department is currently in search of a Filemaker developer to join their team. We are looking for someone with strong communication skills, and a passion for working with users to develop the right solutions. Candidates should enjoy working as part of a team with a wide range of skills, in a loosely structured environment. Weta Digital is primarily a Python / Linux environment so experience with these technologies would be ideal.
We have a creative and technology-focussed environment where you can expand your passion for film, visual effects and cutting-edge technology. We look forward to adding a new member to the team.
Our ideal candidate would possess
* Proven experience supporting and developing complex Filemaker databases (required)
* Programming experience with python and / or perl (highly advantageous)
* Experience with Linux
* Familiarity with SQL databases
* Enthusiasm for technology, team work, and delivering useful tools to end users
Candidates should hold New Zealand or Australian residency.
Please send your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz and complete the technical online questionnaire at www.wetadigital.com
Senior Production Manager
28th May 2010
Weta Digital is now hiring for a Senior Production Manager.
Responsible for working with Producers, Supervisors and Heads of Department in delivering both small and large scale film projects. This includes creating schedules, tracking progress and reporting project updates.
Planning reviews and assessing the progression of established project plans. Maintaining production databases and communicating with other production teams in the shot planning processes.
The line management of some visual effects sequences.
Liaising with clients and vendors.
Skills/Experience:
*Proven experience in project management on feature film projects at an established VFX facility.
*You must be diligent, resourceful, meticulous and able to thrive under pressure.
*Thorough understanding of CG production pipelines, software packages and post production is essential.
*Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail coupled with exceptional people skills and the ability to motivate within a team environment.
*Strong project management skills and a sensitivity towards deadline related deliveries.
*Must be able to handle multiple changing priorities in a dynamic environment and understand how this impacts departmental schedules.
*Able to communicate effectively across multiple teams with excellent written and oral communication skills.
*Proficient computer skills are required with particular emphasis on Filemaker Pro and Microsoft Project.
Please complete Weta's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com and forward your resume to us at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
Animators
1st April 2010
Weta Digital is currently looking for Animators. Candidates should have at least 3 years of feature film experience and display the following:
* Experience in camera and staging shots
* Character and creature animation reels are both welcome. The preference being on individuals who take their animation to the high level of polish required by a photo-realistic medium
* A maya and linux background
* Ability to brainstorm and debug technical problems you may come across.
* A solid foundation in realistic facial animation is a plus
Please complete the online questionnaire at www.wetadigital.com and send your resume to us at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz
WETA DIGITAL RESEARCH GROUP - Researcher positions
24th July 2009
The Research group is responsible for exploring new or improved solutions to general CG and production efficiency challenges for our VFX pipeline. The research is done in close collaboration with the relevant departments, across multiple films, to evaluate the needs and workflows and identify and develop methods and tools to improve the realism, artistic control and overall efficiency of the studio.
We are looking for expertise and interest in the following three research areas:
VIRTUAL STUDIO
Weta Digital is currently looking for an enthusiastic and talented researcher in the areas of motion capture, computer vision, or machine learning.
Candidates should be self-motivated, strong in problem solving and attention to detail, work well in group and have good verbal and written communication skills.
An ideal skill set will include some of the following knowledge or qualifications:
- PhD in CS or related field
- Intermediate or advanced linear algebra
- Matlab
- Statistical learning concepts
- Familiarity with current research in forums such as CVPR, ICML, or NIPS
RENDERING
The Rendering Research Group at Weta Digital is responsible for improving the rendering performance of the studio’s toolset. This is to be intended both in terms of quality of the images created, and in terms of improvements to rendering speed and storage. The Group is committed to produce advancements in the field and original research contributions, as well as delivering code to improve the production of computer generated contents for the movies.
An ideal skill set will include some of the following knowledge or qualifications:
- PhD in Computer Science, Computer Graphics or related field.
- Familiarity with foundations of higher mathematics
- Familiarity with rendering algorithms, data structures and the tradeoffs in the design of canonical implementations
- Solid understanding of parallel computing architectures and algorithm design
- Familiarity with current research in graphics forums such as SIGGRAPH, EGSR and ideally also in related forums such as SIGCG, SIGCHI, SIG-CVIM
Some desirable specific skills can be:
- C++ programming, especially in the context of templates, the STL, Boost
- GPU-oriented programming such as CUDA or OpenCL
- Some familiarity with UNIX operating systems
- A positive enjoyment of getting your hands dirty with high performance code
SIMULATION
The Simulation research group at Weta Digital is responsible for creatively researching and developing systems which will help to make the next generation of CGI intensive feature films possible, both in terms of visual fidelity as well as production efficiency, through the investigation of physical simulation techniques, methods and algorithms.
An ideal skill set will include some of the following knowledge or qualifications:
- PhD or MS in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience
- Expert knowledge of simulation methods for solids and fluids
An additional bonus would be:
- Strong C++ programming skills
- Experience with physical testing equipment, such as Instron
- Experience writing Autodesk Maya plugins
- Experience with Renderman
Please complete Weta Digital's online recruitment questionnaire at: www.wetadigital.com and forward your resume to recruitment@wetafx.co.nz specifying which position you are interested in.