Rodeo FX hiring Lighting Lead, 2026

Rodeo FX , an Oscar®-winning creative powerhouse and repeatedly recognized as one of Montreal’s Top Employers, is seeking a visionary Lighting Lead to join our 3D department. Following our recent success and nominations for the Emmy® Awards for Stranger Things , Avatar: The Last Airbender , and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power , we are looking for a leader who can maintain our trajectory of excellence.

As a Lighting Lead, you are the bridge between technical optimization and cinematic artistry. You will be tasked with guiding a team of talented artists to deliver world-class renders for major studio partners including Netflix, Disney, Marvel, and HBO . This role requires a sophisticated blend of artistic intuition, technical rigour in Houdini, and the empathetic leadership necessary to mentor the next generation of VFX talent.

Job Overview: Lighting Lead

Description

Rodeo FX

3D / Lighting

Lighting Lead

Full-Time (Contract Basis)

Montreal, Canada

Hybrid (Minimum 3 days per week on-site)

April 6th, 2026 – July 3rd, 2026

Dune: Prophecy , Silo Season 2, Sonic 3

Compensation and Benefits Structure

At Rodeo FX, we recognize that our artists are our most valuable asset. Compensation is determined by a combination of years of leadership experience, technical mastery of the Houdini/USD pipeline, and the specific requirements of the current production slate.

Estimated Salary Table

Note: Specific rates are negotiated based on the candidate’s portfolio and professional history.

The Rodeo FX Experience

• Award-Winning Environment: Work in a studio recognized by the 2022 Mercuriades Awards as Employer of the Year.

• Creative Partnership: Collaborate directly with top-tier storytellers and directors from the world’s biggest streaming platforms and film studios.

• Inclusive Culture: Join a workplace where diversity is a core value, fostering a wide range of perspectives to drive creative innovation.

• Cutting-Edge Tech: Gain experience with high-end tools and AI-supported recruitment and production workflows.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

The Lighting Lead is a multifaceted role requiring excellence in four key pillars: Creative Quality, Technical Infrastructure, Leadership, and Optimization.

1. Creative Quality & Visual Direction

You are responsible for the “final look” of the 3D assets before they move into compositing.

• Narrative Lighting: Translate complex visual directions into lighting that supports the story’s emotional beat and narrative arc.

• Consistency: Ensure that lighting remains consistent across entire sequences, maintaining the “visual grammar” established by the Supervisors.

• Artistic Value: Provide creative “plus-ing”—adding subtle visual adjustments that elevate a shot from good to Oscar-worthy.

2. Technical Quality & USD Pipeline

Rodeo FX utilizes a sophisticated pipeline that demands technical precision.

• USD Integration: Leverage Universal Scene Description (USD) to manage complex scene data efficiently.

• Tool Development: Contribute to the creation and testing of templates within Houdini , ensuring the team has a stable foundation to work from.

• Documentation: Maintain the project “Wiki,” ensuring that shot-specific nuances or technical workarounds are recorded for the entire team.

3. Leadership & Team Management

As a Lead, your success is measured by the success of your team.

• Mentorship: Identify the development needs of junior artists and provide the training necessary to help them reach the next level of their careers.

• Feedback Loops: Conduct daily briefings and provide constructive, calm, and supportive feedback during dailies or 1-on-1 sessions.

• Production Liaison: Monitor the team’s workload and proactively flag potential bottlenecks or imbalances to Production management.

4. Optimization & Efficiency

In high-end VFX, render time is a precious resource.

• Scene Weight: Work to reduce scene complexity and optimize render performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

• Pipeline Evolution: Identify stages in the lighting workflow where time can be saved and collaborate with the Pipeline team to validate new scripts or tools.

Candidate Qualifications

We are seeking a professional who remains calm under the pressure of tight deadlines and high-profile deliveries.

• Experience: 3 to 5 years specifically in a Lead capacity within a VFX environment.

• Software Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Houdini . Extensive experience with Karma and Arnold render engines.

• Workflow Knowledge: A deep understanding of the integration between CG lighting and 2D compositing, including color pipeline considerations (ACES/OCIO).

• Project Management: Proficiency in ShotGrid for tracking tasks and sharing information across departments.

• Leadership Style: A positive, natural leadership ability. You should be someone who inspires confidence and guides the team through technical hurdles with patience.

Valued Assets:

• Ability to write Python scripts for workflow automation.

• Advanced knowledge of Look Development (LookDev).

• Experience creating complex lighting templates for large-scale environments.

The Rodeo FX Commitment to Diversity and Privacy

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Rodeo FX, we believe that different perspectives are the fuel for creativity. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every team member feels embraced. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of background.

Modern Recruitment & AI Transparency

To ensure a smooth and efficient hiring process, Rodeo FX may utilize AI-based tools for tasks such as interview transcription and preliminary analysis. These tools are designed to support our human recruiters, not replace them. All final hiring decisions are made by our dedicated recruitment team and hiring managers. Your data is handled with the utmost care according to our Privacy Policy, even when processed by third-party providers outside of Quebec.

The Montreal Advantage

Joining our Montreal studio means working in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant VFX hubs. Montreal offers a unique blend of European charm and North American innovation, making it a premier destination for digital artists. With our Hybrid model , you will enjoy the collaborative energy of our award-winning studio space while maintaining the flexibility of remote work two days a week.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead a team at an Oscar-winning studio and contribute to the next generation of cinematic masterpieces, we want to see your portfolio.

1. Portfolio/Demo Reel: Highlighting Lead-level lighting work and a clear understanding of Houdini-based workflows.

2. Leadership Philosophy: Be prepared to discuss your approach to mentoring and team management.

3. Application: Submit your CV and reel via the Rodeo FX careers portal.

Rodeo FX: Crafting the Extraordinary.