Junior/Mid/Senior Groom Artist (Houdini) – Full CG Family Feature Film – NL/SA/BE

Language: Dutch and/or English
Location: Netherlands, Belgium or South-Africa – remote-friendly position
Level: Junior, Medior or Senior
Software: Houdini
Preferred period: End of July 2026 till End of March 2027
Contact: studiotalent@submarine.nl

About Submarine:
Submarine’s animation slate features a multitude of award-winning films and series, which
are as varied in style as in their target demographic. Submarine Animation prides itself in its
ability not to be confined to just one look or technique – putting the needs of each individual
project front-and-center. As such, we work with 2D as well as 3D animation, digital as well as
traditional crafts, and live-action/animation hybrids.

About the Production
We are currently producing a high-end, fully CG animated family feature film with a
distinctive stylised cinematic look. Created by a passionate, international team of artists and
technicians, the project is a South African co-production with Diprente and directed by Wip
Vernooij.

The film, Spike, follows a proud and powerful rhinoceros who loses his horn and is forced to
journey across the South African savanna alongside his estranged teenage son, Enzo. As
they search for their way home, Spike must confront a new reality, learning that true strength
lies not in power, but in vulnerability, connection, and growth.

About the Role
We are looking for Groom Artists of all levels to join our team. As part of the Character
department, you will focus on the creation of high-quality fur, hair, feathers, and other
grooming assets for an exciting family-friendly CG animated feature film set in South Africa
and starring a cast of talking animals.

Working closely with the Character, Surfacing, and Rigging teams, you will help bring a
diverse cast of characters to life, ensuring that all grooming work meets both the artistic
vision and technical requirements of the production.

Responsibilities
– Create production-ready fur, hair, feather, and grooming assets for a variety of animal
and human characters.
– Develop efficient and scalable grooming solutions suitable for feature animation.
– Collaborate with Character Modelling, Look Development, Rigging, and CFX teams
to ensure seamless integration of groom assets into the pipeline.
– Optimize groom assets for rendering and simulation while maintaining visual quality.
– Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to grooming workflows.
– Contribute to the development and improvement of grooming tools and pipeline
processes where appropriate.
– Participate in reviews and respond constructively to artistic and technical feedback.

Skills & Requirements
– Knowledge of Houdini grooming workflows and tools.
– Demonstrated experience as a Groom Artist on animated feature films, episodic
animation, VFX productions, or equivalent high-end CG projects.
– Or for juniors – a strong portfolio demonstrating your grooming skills.
– Experience creating realistic and stylized animal fur and feathers.
– Solid understanding of grooming principles, anatomy, silhouette, and character
appeal.
– Familiarity with grooming pipelines and asset management workflows.
– Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently while collaborating
effectively within a team environment.
– Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

Nice to Have
– Experience with Houdini Solaris and modern USD-based pipelines.
– Knowledge of CFX, fur simulation, or look development workflows.
– Python or tool development experience.
– Experience working on animal-centric productions.
If you are passionate about bringing memorable animal characters to life and have a strong
background in Houdini grooming, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV, reel, portfolio, and a brief introduction outlining your relevant
experience