Senior Technical Artist - Houdini

Location: US, CA, Santa Clara

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people.

Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world!

What you’ll be doing:

Collaborating with art directors, and artists to develop stunning visuals, procedural assets, and simulations, using SideFX Houdini as the core tool. You’ll bridge the gap between art and technology, working alongside world-class talent to solve complex technical challenges, distill complicated ideas into beautiful story-telling imagery and cinematics, and pioneer new techniques in procedural modeling, simulation, and asset creation. We're looking for curious minds that love to tinker and explore new tools and visual techniques that continually push the limits on what's possible with computer-generated imagery (CGI), with a passion for problem solving, photorealism, and procedural workflows.

What we need to see:

• 8+ years of experience as a Technical Artist with a strong focus on SideFX Houdini. You can demonstrate expertise in a range of key areas from procedural modeling, simulations (particles, cloth, fluids, RBD, MPM), look dev, lighting, and compositing.

• Experience working with Solaris and USD (Universal Scene Description).

• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to generate a variety of 3D visual ideas and simulation workflows based on the project's requirements, and communicate solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical team members.

• Solid understanding of Houdini nodes, attributes, and the geometry spreadsheet. You can create organized, efficient, and versatile workflows within Houdini. Experience using Vex or VOPs is encouraged.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating your Houdini skillset creating procedural art, simulations, photorealistic renderings, or technical art projects. Please provide a link to your website or portfolio showcasing your best work.

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Art, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

• Experience working in NVIDIA Omniverse is highly valuable

• Proficiency with other Houdini plugins and complementary tools such as MOPs, Axiom, HDR Light Studio, or Substance Designer/Painter

• Bonus if you have skills with Copernicus, PDG TOPs, or creating HDA’s. Experience with rendering software like Karma, Redshift, Vray, or Corona. Compositing experience with Nuke or After Effects for integrating CG elements, AOVs, and creating final pixel outputs

• Bonus Film or Photography experience. Any foundational knowledge in using light and materials to achieve photorealism

• You can showcase working with AI tools to help with look development, tooling, or 3D workflows, or have used automation, machine learning, or other AI implementations that explore innovative or time-saving solutions

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We have some of the most intelligent and hardworking people in the world working for us. If you’re creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 156,000 USD - 235,750 USD for Level 4, and 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 5.Applications for this job will be accepted at least until February 8, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.