Virtual Production Stage Operator

Arthrex, Inc. is a global medical device company and a leader in new product development and medical education in orthopedics. Arthrex is actively searching for a Virtual Production Stage Operation. Join our talented team at a global medical device company focused on Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better.

Main Objective:  

Produce high-quality video content in a virtual production studio environment for medical education and corporate messaging.  Develop projects through content management, asset creation, and environmental setup on an LED volume, in collaboration with Media Production specialists. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Create, maintain, and manage 2D and 3D digital assets in Unreal Engine to create levels optimized for ICVFX production in an LED stage volume. 
• Collaborate with Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 3D animation creatives and production specialists to ideate, advise, and contribute to the creation of photorealistic Unreal environments 
• Translate virtual environments using nDisplay and media servers to the virtual production LED volume and ensure quality and integrity of all digital assets. 
• Prepare UE plugins, systems, camera calibrations, livelinks and other tasks related to ICVFX. 
• Develop Blueprints, evolve tools, create custom code, automate tasks, work with shaders, and integrate all post-process materials in Unreal Engine 
• Utilize traditional and virtual cinematography to create complex cinematics within Unreal, using Sequencer, Take Recorder and Livelink 
• Lead previs, virtual scouting, techvis, and postvis for the production team to plan out shots using cinematics 
• Design cinematic lighting within Unreal Engine. 
• Implement particle systems, vertex painting, foliage painting, and landscape editing tools in Unreal Engine 
• Understand and propose in-camera visual effects using Unreal Engine, and media servers. 
• Manage color correction, space transforms, LUTS, color correct regions, and other color correction tools in collaboration with the production specialists. 
• Update and provide maintenance for hardware and software used for Unreal Engine. 
• Guide best practices for real-time asset optimization, promoting efficient workflows, and offer innovative technical solutions to maintain quality and maximize performance 
• Troubleshoot and brainstorm solutions to artistic and technical problems 
• Communicate and collaborate in real-time with production specialists to update and enhance environments during live productions 
• Liaise with programmers, artists, producers, designers, and requesting departments to explain technical issues in a clear and approachable manner 
• Connect regularly with media production and project stakeholders to ensure all productions stay on track, within budget, and meet assigned deadlines 
• Contribute to research and development projects, providing creative solutions to production challenges 
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time 
• Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) as necessary 

Education and Experience:  

• High school diploma or equivalent required 
• Bachelor’s Degree or 2+ years of related industry experience working in Unreal Engine 4 or 5 required 
• Experience with programming languages such as Python and C++ preferred 
• Experience with Quixel Suite - Megascans, Bridge, and Mixer preferred 

Knowledge and Skill Requirements/Specialized Courses and/or Training: 

• Working knowledge of visual effects terminologies and workflows 
• Basic understanding of Film/TV production set environments 
• Foundational knowledge of Media production cameras, lighting, and systems 
• Strong knowledge of all aspects of the Unreal Engine with emphasis on scene assembly and asset creation, including materials, lighting, layout, modeling, animation, and Sequencer 
• Experience in fast-paced VFX, animation or production set environments preferred 
• Advanced understanding of nDisplay and livelink systems 
• Knowledge of camera tracking systems like Mo-Sys 
• Working knowledge to incorporate clusterization and multi-user systems 
• Experience with lighting and environmental creation 
• Experience working with Digital Command Control software like Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema4D, Houdini, or MotionBuilder 
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine blueprints and C++ preferred 
• Experience with Perforce and Plastic preferred  
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills 
• Proven ability to prioritize conflicting tasks 
• Ability to remain calm and confident in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to collaborate and represent the design viewpoint effectively in a collaborative work environment   
• Advanced-level video production language skills to communicate to cinematography and provide direction on-set 
• Research and understanding of the developments and applications of state-of-the-art virtual production technology 
• Must be flexible and possess the ability to balance the management of multiple projects simultaneously 
• Capacity to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines 
• Initiative, problem solving, and troubleshooting skills 
• Team player with a willingness to collaborate 

Machine, Tools, and/or Equipment Skills: 

The position requires advanced-level production and post-production knowledge to communicate tasks and ideas to professionals using Unreal Engine, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and the Macintosh and Windows operating systems. The role also requires a fundamental understanding of audio-visual equipment, including professional camera systems, lighting equipment, microphones, mixing consoles, video routers and switchers, and video transmission systems. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.