Mikros Animation Montreal is seeking a technically proficient and artistically driven Mid-Level Groom Artist to join our Assets department for an upcoming, undisclosed high-profile feature film . This role is designed for a CG professional who has moved beyond the foundational stages of their career and possesses a specialized mastery of Blender , specifically within the realms of procedural hair and fur creation. At Mikros, we place creativity and CG artistry at the absolute center of our production activities. As a Mid-Level Groom Artist, you will play a vital role in defining the visual and tactile essence of our characters. You won’t just be creating hair; you will be architecting complex, stylized systems that allow characters to connect with global audiences on an emotional level. Working in a bilingual, international environment, you will bridge the gap between creative vision and technical execution using industry-leading tools like Geometry Nodes . Job Overview & Quick Reference Category Details Company Name Mikros Animation Project Undisclosed (Global CGI Feature Film) Job Title Mid-Level Groom Artist Department Assets – Character Team Location Montreal, QC, Canada Employment Type Full-time Work Model Collaborative Bilingual (French/English) Environment Mikros Animation provides a robust compensation package tailored to mid-level professionals who bring significant technical value to the pipeline. Component Estimated Range / Details Annual Salary Range $72,000 – $94,000 CAD (Commensurate with experience & reel) Health & Wellness Premium Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage Retirement RRSP Matching Program options Professional Development Access to internal masterclasses and global training initiatives Studio Culture Dynamic, creative-led environment in the heart of the Montreal animation hub Company Description: The Mikros Animation Legacy Mikros Animation is a world-renowned CGI studio with a global footprint in Paris, Montreal, Los Angeles, Bangalore, and London. We are dedicated to the craft of feature films and high-end episodic content. Since our inception, we have maintained a “creative-first” philosophy, allowing our artists to work on a diverse array of stories with a signature level of stylized craft. To date, Mikros has contributed to over ten major feature animations and countless high-quality series for the world’s most recognizable studios. We operate as a creative studio, line producer, and executive producer, partnering with filmmakers to bring powerful stories to life. At Mikros, we believe great animation is about authentic connections, and we achieve this through a blend of industry-leading craftsmanship and visionary artistry. Detailed Job Description: The Mid-Level Groom Role Reporting to the Character Supervisor and Groom Lead , the Mid-Level Groom Artist is responsible for providing the technical and artistic “hair description” for production assets. This role sits at the intersection of modeling, surfacing, and simulation, requiring a candidate who understands how a character’s silhouette and movement are influenced by their groom. You will be expected to create, setup, and—when required—shade the hair/fur of assets based on concept art and model sheets. As a mid-level artist, you are expected to operate with a degree of autonomy, solving complex visual problems while ensuring your work remains technically compliant with our internal global pipeline. 1. Artistic Execution & Stylized Grooming Visual Interpretation: Translate 2D concept art and model sheets into 3D hair effects for characters, animals, and props. Stylization: Go beyond photorealism to achieve the “stylized craft” that defines Mikros projects, ensuring hair movement and texture align with the project’s specific art direction. Presentation: Prepare high-quality presentation elements for approval by the Director and Supervisors, articulating your creative and technical choices. 2. Technical Pipeline & Tool Development Geometry Nodes Mastery: Utilize Blender’s Geometry Nodes to create procedural, non-destructive groom setups that are both flexible and optimized for render. Pipeline Compliance: Ensure all delivered assets meet the rigorous technical requirements of our Linux-based production pipeline. Tool Advocacy: Participate in the development and testing of internal department tools, providing feedback to the technical directors to improve the grooming workflow. Technical Synergy: Collaborate proactively with the Modeling , Rigging , and Surfacing departments. You must ensure your groom doesn’t interfere with character deformation (rigging) and that it integrates perfectly with the look-development (surfacing). Simulation Prep: Ensure grooms are structured correctly for the CFX/Simulation department to handle hair dynamics. Problem Solving: Address technical hurdles creatively, finding ways to achieve the “look” without compromising production efficiency or render times. Quota Adherence: Meet strict deadlines and production quotas as established by the Production Coordinator. Feedback Integration: Interpret and execute complex artistic corrections from the Supervisor and Director with efficiency. Team Dynamics: Maintain a positive, collaborative spirit, mentoring junior artists when possible and contributing to the overall health of the asset team. Profile: Qualifications & Expertise Required Technical Skills Blender Specialization: Extensive experience using Blender as a primary tool in a professional production environment. Node-Based Logic: Proficiency in Geometry Nodes is mandatory. You should be comfortable building and navigating complex node trees. Grooming Fundamentals: Deep knowledge of Particle System grooming, hair surfacing, and shading techniques. Operating Systems: High comfort level working in a Linux/Unix environment, including basic command-line navigation. Professional Background Experience: Typically 3–5+ years in a CGI production environment, preferably with at least one feature film credit or high-end episodic experience. Portfolio: A strong demo reel showcasing a variety of grooms—from short fur and creature work to complex, long-haired stylized characters. We want to see your “under-the-hood” setups as well as final renders. Optional (Stand‑Out) Skills Generalist Foundations: Skills in Modeling and Rigging are highly valued, as they facilitate smoother collaboration with adjacent departments. Programming: Experience with Python for Blender (writing scripts to automate repetitive grooming tasks or custom tools). Bilingualism: While the project is global, the ability to communicate in both French and English is a significant asset in our Montreal/Paris collaborative pipeline. International Collaboration & Culture In this role, you will work closely with our Paris studio and various international partners. You will regularly interact with stakeholders across different time zones to present the creative and technical strengths of the Montreal studio. Mikros Animation is a bilingual environment that values strategic communication. You will be expected to promote our craftsmanship on a global scale, ensuring that the characters we build resonate with audiences regardless of language or geography. The Mikros Commitment to Inclusion We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe that our different backgrounds and perspectives make our animation stronger and our stories more authentic. How to Apply If you are a Blender expert ready to take the next step in your career on a major feature film, we want to hear from you. Updated CV: Highlighting your experience with Blender and feature-level pipelines. Demo Reel: (Required) Showcasing Grooming, Shading, and Geometry Nodes work. Breakdowns are highly encouraged. Cover Letter: (Optional) Tell us about a specific technical grooming challenge you solved in a previous project. Join Mikros Animation Montreal and help us bring powerful, stylized stories to life. #J-18808-Ljbffr