Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is seeking a CG Generalist Face Lead to spearhead and support the CG and Maya needs of our VFX team, with an emphasis on our puppet faces. This role is hands-on and highly collaborative, requiring technical excellence and creative problem-solving to help bring complex visual effects to life.

As a CG Generalist Face Lead, you will provide support in early R&D, guide visual development setups, assist with troubleshooting artist files, and participate in broader production efforts, including bidding and recruiting. Your expertise will help shape and refine the technical and creative pipeline while fostering a collaborative and efficient team environment.

Work location: On Site in New Orleans, Louisiana

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support all Maya/CG-related work across VFX production.
• Create UVs, shade, texture, light, and render CG faces; ensuring all CG faces are matching and can be integrated with the practical puppet.
• Troubleshoot artist files and step into shot work when needed.
• Collaborate in R&D and early visual development before full production rollout.
• Support the development and implementation of tools in collaboration with TDs.
• Participate in recruitment, bidding sessions, and progress reviews with the VFX Supervisor and Production.
• Ensure an efficient, flexible, and artist-friendly pipeline, while maintaining organized files and documentation.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in high-end film or episodic VFX production.
• Expert knowledge of Maya and Arnold (or equivalent production renderers).
• Previous leadership or supervisor experience within a VFX or animation team.
• Thorough understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows.
• Artistic eye and proficiency in UVs, shading, texture, lighting, and rendering.
• Proven ability to collaborate with supervisors, artists, and production teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Traditional art background or fine arts education.
• Experience with look development and the compositing process (especially in Nuke).
• Familiarity with scripting or tool development (e.g., Python, MEL) to support pipeline enhancements.
• Experience working across both stylized and photorealistic CG projects.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine or other real-time workflows is a plus.