Groom Artist (VFX) job require at One of Us

One of Us is seeking a highly skilled and artistic Groom Artist to join our award-winning team in London. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-end VFX projects, ranging from hyper-realistic human digital doubles to intricate fantasy creatures.

At One of Us , we pride ourselves on a culture of creative excellence and technical innovation. As a Groom Artist, you will be at the forefront of creature development, ensuring that every strand of hair, every feather, and every layer of peach fuzz meets the rigorous demands of modern cinematography.

Position Overview : Groom Artist (VFX)

Detail Information

Company Name One of Us

Role Title Groom Artist

Employment Type Contract (Hybrid)

Location Old Street, London, United Kingdom

Core Working Hours 09:30 – 18:30 or 10:00 – 19:00 (Mon–Fri)

Salary Range Competitive (Based on experience & seniority)

Required Tools Houdini (Primary), Maya/XGen (Secondary)

The Role: Crafting the Finer Details

The Groom Artist role at One of Us is as much about artistry as it is about technical precision. You aren’t just placing hair; you are defining the character’s history, biology, and interaction with the world. Whether it is matching the specific hairline of a lead actor for a digital double or engineering the plumage of a mythical beast, your work will be the final layer that brings characters to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Asset Creation: Deliver a diverse range of grooms, including complex human hairstyles, animal fur, intricate feather/plumage systems, and subtle environmental effects like peach fuzz and dust accumulation.
• Creative Translation: Use your keen artistic eye to translate on-set photography and real-world reference material into digital grooms. You must also have the imaginative capacity to apply these real-world physics to fantasy creature designs.
• Pipeline Contribution: Actively participate in the evolution of our grooming pipeline. We value artists who don’t just use tools but help build better ones. This includes documenting workflows to ensure consistency across the team.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with Modelling to ensure topology supports the groom, Rigging and Animation to ensure the groom deforms correctly, and CFX/Lighting to ensure the hair reacts realistically to wind, movement, and light.
• Production Management: Maintain a high level of organization. You will be expected to meet strict deadlines while providing regular updates to Production and Lead artists regarding your progress and any technical roadblocks.

We are looking for an artist who lives in the details. The ideal candidate has a “detective’s eye” for reference—noticing how hair clumps when wet, how light scatters through fine fur, and how feathers overlap to create aerodynamic shapes.

Technical Requirements

• Proven Experience: A strong track record in a similar role within a professional VFX studio environment.
• Houdini Mastery: While we respect various software backgrounds, this role specifically requires deep proficiency in Houdini’s grooming toolset . You should be comfortable with procedural workflows and attribute-driven grooming.
• CFX Awareness: An understanding of how grooms interact with simulation. You should know how to prep a groom for hair guides and dynamic simulation.
• Portfolio Excellence: A reel or portfolio that showcases photorealistic results. We are specifically looking for work that demonstrates groom variety (long hair vs. short fur) and complex plumage.
• Problem-Solving: The ability to troubleshoot technical issues within the groom or the wider pipeline independently.
• Team Spirit: A collaborative mindset. We are a tight-knit crew, and clear communication is essential for the success of our large-scale creature builds.
• Adaptability: The ability to pivot between different visual styles and technical requirements as project needs evolve.

Estimated Salary Guide

Please note that actual offers are tailored based on the specific depth of the candidate’s portfolio and years of relevant industry experience.

Level Estimated Annual Equivalent (GBP) Key Focus

Mid-Level Groom Artist £45,000 – £60,000 Core asset delivery, Houdini proficiency.

Senior Groom Artist £65,000 – £85,000+ Pipeline development, complex plumage, mentoring.

Benefits & Culture

We believe that great art happens when artists are supported and inspired. At One of Us, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

• Generous Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus all standard UK bank holidays.
• Social Impact: 2 paid volunteering days per year to support causes you care about.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medicash healthcare cover , company pension scheme, and life insurance.
• Hybrid Flexibility: We embrace the modern workplace. You will only be required to be in our Old Street studio a minimum of 2 days per week , giving you the flexibility to manage your work-life balance.
• Vibrant Social Scene: From wrap parties to regular social events, we celebrate our successes together. Our Old Street office is a hub of creativity situated in one of London’s most exciting neighborhoods.

One of Us is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Important Note on Visas: Applicants must have a current and full work permit for the United Kingdom. Please clearly disclose in your application if you require sponsorship support now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV along with a link to your Portfolio/Demo Reel . We are particularly interested in seeing breakdowns of your grooming process in Houdini, specifically focusing on any feather or plumage work you have completed.

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