Houdini Lookdev Artist
WPP Production
Salary undisclosed
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Description
About WPP Production
We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
What Does a VFX Houdini Artist do at WPP Production?
At WPP Production, this role combines advanced Houdini expertise, strong knowledge of dynamics and simulations, and generalist skills in lighting and product animation to create high-end automotive and product visualizations for advertising. Responsibilities include delivering premium-quality work under tight deadlines, optimizing and troubleshooting Houdini scenes, providing technical support, and contributing to workflow improvements, pipeline development, best practices, and knowledge sharing across the studio.
Key Responsibilities
• Create high-end VFX for automotive and product advertising, from concept through final delivery
• Build and manage Houdini-based setups for dynamics, simulations, and procedural workflows (e.g. rigid bodies, Vellum, fluids, particles)
• Develop efficient, artist-friendly procedural systems that support iteration and scalability
• Apply strong generalist skills with a focus on lighting in Houdini, look development, rendering, and product-focused animation
• Collaborate with CG supervisors, art directors, and producers to meet creative and technical goals
• Optimize scenes and workflows for performance, render efficiency, and production reliability
• Support shot troubleshooting and technical problem-solving across the pipeline
• Contribute to R&D and workflow improvements where appropriate
• Maintain visual consistency and high-quality standards across projects
Required Skills & Experience
• Strong professional experience with SideFX Houdini
• Solid technical understanding of dynamics and simulations (RBD, Vellum, FLIP, Pyro, particles)
• Strong lighting and look development skills in Houdini
• Rendering experience with V-Ray (required)
• Experience working with Maya and/or 3ds Max, particularly in an automotive or product pipeline
• Product-focused animation skills (mechanical motion, turntables, non-character animation)
• Strong eye for realism, scale, materials, and lighting, especially for automotive and product visuals
• Ability to balance technical problem-solving with creative execution
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced advertising environment with evolving briefs
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
Nice to Have
• Experience with Unreal Engine (real-time rendering, lookdev, or automotive/product visualization workflows)
• Python or VEX scripting experience
• Automotive and product-specific experience (vehicles, paint shaders, turntables, beauty lighting, mechanical animation)
• Familiarity with compositing workflows (Nuke or similar)
• Experience working across multiple DCCs (Maya, Cinema 4D, etc.)
Why work here:
At WPP Production, you’ll help shape the future of content production at a truly global scale. We bring together world-class talent, cutting-edge studios, and advanced technology to solve some of the most complex creative and production challenges in the industry. You’ll work in a collaborative, borderless environment where craft excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and AI and next-generation tools are used to amplify not replace human creativity. With access to diverse projects, global career opportunities, and the backing of WPP’s unmatched network, this is a place where you can grow your skills, make real impact, and create work that performs for every audience, across every channel, at every moment.
Inclusion and Impact
WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Data
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Please contact careers@wppproduction.com if you need the job advert or form in another format.
About this role
WPP Production's Mumbai studio is seeking a Houdini Lookdev Artist to create high-end VFX for automotive and product advertising campaigns. The role sits at the intersection of technical mastery and creative execution: you'll build sophisticated Houdini setups for dynamics and simulations, develop procedural workflows that scale across iterations, and apply strong lighting and look development skills to deliver photorealistic visualizations. Beyond asset creation, you'll optimize scenes for performance, troubleshoot production issues, and contribute to pipeline improvements and best practices across the team.
This position demands deep professional experience with Houdini's simulation toolset (RBD, Vellum, FLIP, Pyro, particles) paired with V-Ray rendering expertise and generalist skills in Maya or 3ds Max. You'll need a sharp eye for realism, materials, and scale—particularly in automotive and product contexts—and the ability to balance technical problem-solving with creative direction under advertising's tight timelines and evolving briefs. Product-focused animation experience and familiarity with mechanical motion are essential; scripting in Python or VEX, Unreal Engine knowledge, and compositing skills would strengthen your candidacy.
The role offers access to global projects and career development within WPP's production network, working in a collaborative environment where craft excellence and innovation are prioritized alongside emerging technology.
How this employer is doing
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- Leadership Change
In the news
WPP Production Appoints Jim Allen as Executive Creative Director, UK Post Production, LBB - Little Black Book
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Pay for this role
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