Job Title : Lookdev Lead

About the role
Own the quality and consistency of all shading and material work at HMX — across product photography, video and real-time 3D
Build and lead a small team of Lookdev artists (starting at four, growing to twelve over roughly nine months)
Define the HMX material standards, build and govern the shader library, and be the senior craft authority for Lighting, Modelling and Layout¸
A founding, senior-visibility role with direct sponsorship from the Director of Production Operations

Attitude and fit
You want a long-term home — we are building a function, not filling a gap
You are comfortable being hands-on in the early phase and more managerial as the team grows
You can hold a position without escalating conflict — this role sits between Photography, Video and Layout teams with historically different priorities

Location: HMX Pune studio (Balewadi) — in office
Reports to: Director of Production Operations and Pune Managing Director

Experience
8+ years as a Lookdev, texturing or surfacing artist in a CGI, VFX,



animation or product-visualisation studio
2+ years leading or mentoring other artists — formally or informally. We care more about evidence of having developed other artists' skills than the exact title

Key responsibilities
Define, document and enforce HMX's Lookdev standards — PBR baseline, material library governance, naming conventions, handoff with Modelling and Lighting
Build and manage the Lookdev team: mentor artists, run internal training, review work
Own the HMX material library — audit, consolidate and maintain across client portfolios
Be the technical reference for material and CMF decisions with producers and the creative team

Essential skills
Deep PBR fluency — albedo, roughness, metallic workflow, IOR, transmission, colour space (linear, sRGB, ACES). You can explain why a shader is wrong, not only adjust it until it looks right
Rigorous UV layout and clean texturing discipline — non-negotiable for handoff quality

📌 Lookdev Lead (Pune)
🏢 HMX MEDIA
📍 Pune