Facial Modeller (DNEG VFX)

DNEG Group; City of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading VFX studio in the UK is looking for Facial Modellers to create highly accurate digital likenesses for world‑class projects. Candidates must have an excellent understanding of facial anatomy and expert knowledge of polygon modelling in Maya. This role demands creativity and collaboration, delivering photoreal results under pressure with clear communication. Experience in high-end VFX or games is preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to create accurate digital likenesses in neutral and FACS expressions.
• Strong understanding of facial anatomy, expression mechanics and muscle systems.
• Expert knowledge of polygon/sub‑D modelling in Maya.

Responsibilities

• Create highly accurate digital likenesses for VFX and TV projects.
• Work with teams to deliver hero‑quality facial assets.
• Assess likeness accuracy and iterate quickly according to feedback.

Skills

Ability to create accurate digital likenesses

Understanding of facial anatomy

Expert knowledge of polygon/sub‑D modelling in Maya

Attention to detail

Ability to produce clean topology

Tools

Maya

Mudbox

Z‑brush

Job description

Facial Modellers at DNEG focus on creating highly accurate digital likenesses and expressive facial asset systems for world‑class VFX and TV projects. You will work closely with texture, shader, look‑development and rigging teams to deliver hero‑quality assets that hold up in extreme close-ups, LED volumes, high‑resolution formats and next‑generation real‑time workflows.

Must Haves

• Demonstrated ability to create accurate digital likenesses in neutral and FACS expressions.
• Strong understanding of facial anatomy, expression mechanics and muscle systems.
• A very keen eye for detail
• Excellent spatial awareness and a refined sense of form, proportion and silhouette.
• Expert knowledge of polygon/sub‑D modelling in Maya with an ability to quickly learn proprietary tools.
• A working knowledge of packages such as Mudbox or Z‑brush
• Ability to produce clean, animation‑friendly topology and efficient UV layouts.
• Understanding of how model detail translates into displacement workflows, shaders and material look‑development.
• Ability to objectively assess likeness accuracy and iterate quickly according to feedback.

Nice to Have

• A working knowledge of Linux
• Experience working with facial scanning, photogrammetry, or machine‑learning‑driven facial pipelines.
• Familiarity with wrap‑based workflows (e.g., R3DS Wrap).
• Knowledge of real‑time engines (Unreal/Unity) for facial asset review.
• 4+ years experience in high‑end VFX, TV, or AAA games.
• Knowledge of NURBS modelling
• At least 4 years’ experience modelling creatures for high end film or TV
• A passion for human and creature anatomy.
• Previous experience producing hero‑quality facial assets within a creature or character team.

About You

• Meticulous, observant and committed to delivering photoreal results.
• Clear communicator and collaborative team player.
• Adaptable and eager to learn new tools and techniques, including in‑house technologies.
• Calm under pressure with strong time‑management skills and an accurate sense of task duration.
• Self‑driven with a proactive, solution‑focused mindset.
• Objective and self‑critical eye with a strong sense of quality contro