Junior Groom Artist (Blender) – UNDISCLOSED PROJECT – Expression of Interest

Job Position(s): Junior Groom Artist (Blender) - UNDISCLOSED PROJECT - Expression of Interest

Rodeo FX is collecting expressions of interest for a Junior Groom Artist (Blender) based in Montreal, Canada. This role sits within the character department and focuses on creating hair and fur descriptions for 3D animated characters, animals, and props across feature film or television VFX production. It suits an artist who is comfortable working within a structured VFX pipeline and wants to develop their grooming craft under experienced supervision.

About the Role

The Junior Groom Artist works under the Groom Lead, Groom Supervisor, and Character Supervisor to deliver production-ready hair assets that meet both the artistic direction and the technical requirements of the pipeline. This position is not currently active, but Rodeo FX anticipates opening new positions in the coming weeks and is building a pool of candidates ahead of time. Day to day, the work involves interpreting concept art and model sheets, building groom setups in Blender, and coordinating with modeling, rigging, and surfacing departments to keep assets pipeline-compliant.

Key Responsibilities

• Build hair and fur groom setups for characters, creatures, and props in Blender, working directly from approved concept art and model sheets.
• Ensure all delivered assets conform to the production pipeline and internal technical workflow standards set by the department.
• Shade hair assets when required by production, integrating groom work with the broader surfacing and lookdev process.
• Participate in the development and refinement of grooming tools used within the department.
• Prepare presentation elements for supervisor and director reviews, incorporating feedback and executing corrections within production deadlines.
• Maintain active communication with modeling, rigging, and surfacing teams to resolve cross-department technical requirements as they arise.

What You Bring

• Demonstrable experience with Blender as a primary grooming tool, with a portfolio showing character or creature hair work.
• Familiarity with VFX pipeline conventions, including asset naming, versioning, and delivery standards.
• Exposure to shading or lookdev workflows is an asset, particularly in the context of hair and fur materials.
• Ability to work from reference, concept art, and model sheets to match an established artistic direction.
• Experience in an animation studio or VFX production environment, even at a junior or intern level, is preferred.

Why This Role

Rodeo FX has credits spanning major feature film productions and high-end episodic television, giving artists here real exposure to large-scale VFX work across multiple genres. The studio is Montreal-based with an established character and creature pipeline, which means a Junior Groom Artist coming in has genuine room to grow within a structured department rather than being thrown into chaos. Submitting an expression of interest now puts you ahead of the formal posting.

Submit your expression of interest for the Junior Groom Artist role at Rodeo FX and get your portfolio in front of the team before the position officially opens.