Creative Technologist (Freelance)

About the role

Hovercraft is a dynamic and innovative creative design firm that partners with brands to craft compelling experiences through design, strategy, and technology. We specialize in creating standout visuals, interactive digital content, and impactful branding solutions that push the boundaries of creativity. We're looking for freelance Creative Technologists to help push the studio's work forward across a growing range of mediums. You'll work closely with our tech team, tech directors, designers and producers to build interactive experiences, real-time graphics systems, web projects, video games, and physical installations. We often carry projects from inception through completion - prototype, develop, deliver, and support our custom-built technology solutions. The tech team's work is centered around software but includes hardware integration, travel, client-facing interactions, and being embedded in the larger creative and problem-solving process. Core Technical Skills We're open to collaborating with generalists and specialists alike. Software : Strong generative / creative coding background - WebGL, Three.js, react-three-fiber, GLSL, or comparable real-time graphics experience Experience with TouchDesigner for interactive systems, hardware integration, and high-performance graphics Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and modern web development (React or similar frameworks) Solid backend fundamentals and comfort with REST APIs, content management systems, and cloud services for data-driven applications Game development experience via WebGL, Unity, Unreal, or similar Media file conversion, optimization, and delivery experience - you understand the formats and constraints of working with a wide variety of media assets (image/video/audio/3d) in interactive contexts Source control and deployment fluency: Git, GitHub, basic cloud/server workflows A solid grasp of software engineering practices - you think about stability, edge cases, version control, and QA A commitment to staying current with modern development tools and workflows, including build tools, AI-assisted coding & agents, and automation Working knowledge of current AI tools for creative pipelines: Computer vision, generative media, etc. Experience with Windows scripting, tooling, and troubleshooting, as most of our projects run on Windows PCs Experience with 3D tools (Blender, Cinema4D, Maya) or motion design (After Effects, Cavalry) Hardware : Familiarity with physical computing: depth cameras, LIDAR, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, custom electronics, RFID, sensor arrays, computer vision, and novel HCI technologies Experience with physical lighting systems - DMX/ArtNet/etc., spatial mapping, electrical systems & power distribution Familiarity with AV systems integration and industry standards (projectors, LED walls, sound systems, media servers, etc.) Electrical engineering or fabrication fundamentals AR/VR/XR or spatial computing project experience Growth Areas We're Actively Investing In : Unreal Engine / Notch - real-time 3D, XR production, high-resolution environments Media server experience (Disguise, Pixera, or similar) Deeper electrical & mechanical engineering expertise Small-scale fabrication and material prototyping skills Soft Skills That Matter Here: Design & Quality Mindset: Strong design and craft sensibilities; understands what "Hovercraft quality" means, both visually and technically. Ownership & Accountability: Takes initiative, makes decisions autonomously, estimates and manages work effectively, and advocates for timelines, testing, and quality. Communication & Collaboration: Proactively shares progress, flags blockers early, keeps stakeholders informed, and works effectively within cross-functional teams and production pipelines. Adaptability & Resilience: Maintains a positive, solutions-oriented attitude while navigating changing scope, creative direction, technical constraints, and tight deadlines across multiple projects. Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a genuine passion for learning, experimentation, R&D, prototyping, and exploring new tools and creative technologies. Recruitment Notice We use AI-assisted tools solely to help identify and highlight keywords related to critical design skills and relevant experience within applications. These tools support our recruiting team by improving consistency and efficiency; they do not make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed by humans, and AI is not used in a discriminatory manner or to evaluate personal characteristics unrelated to job requirements.

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