Pipeline Software Engineer

AGBO•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Software Engineer supports the Pipeline Engineering team by developing and maintaining tools and scripts that optimize workflows across AAA Game Development, Visual Effects, Visualization, and Production. This role will focus on expanding the studio’s artist toolsets, asset tracking, and integration with both game development and production pipelines while ensuring efficient delivery in collaboration with department leads and creative teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Visualization, VFX or equivalent work experience.
3-6 years of professional experience in developing custom artist/pipeline tools and workflows with ShotGrid in an animation, gaming, or VFX studio environment.
Deep understanding of the VFX pipeline from shooting to modeling to texturing, animation, lighting and rendering, compositing, technical editorial, and DI.
Proven technical experience in VFX, Virtual Production, or AAA Gaming productions.
Ability to design user interfaces, gizmos, and interfaces for VFX tools and Unreal Editor.
Experience with desktop and/or web application development/deployment.
Experience with shader development, GLSL, and real-time rendering technologies.
Experience with Unreal Engine Blueprints, and C++ development.
Experience with software development life cycle concepts, including build/release via CI/CD, version control with Git / GitLab / BitBucket.
Knowledge of Production Technology/IT/IS methods, practices, and trends.
Experience with Agile development methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Highly organized and detail oriented.
Patient and thorough with technical details.
Ability to work in a collaborative environment, offer mentorship, and take direction from department and show leadership.
Calm demeanor with technical support and troubleshooting.
Excellent technical communication skills, both verbal and written.
Desire for creative innovation, excellence in visual media, and creating toolsets to empower artists and creators.
Familiarity building, running, managing and monitoring services on a Linux container platform such as Docker/Kubernetes.
Experience with ShotGrid Toolkit.
Experience with Python, C++, PySide/PyQt/Qt.

Nice To Haves

Experience with LLMs or Generative AI - a plus.

Responsibilities

Integrating ShotGrid toolkit workflows with tools such as Unreal Editor, Maya, Houdini, Nuke, etc.
Create, develop, deploy, and maintain custom tools/templates/scripts, for both creative tasks and pipeline infrastructure, supporting the Game Development, VFX, Visualization, and Production teams under the direction of the Pipeline Supervisor.
Work in conjunction with project teams to effectively problem-solve, acting as a first line of support for all workflow & productivity issues.
Work closely with Technical Supervisors to design, develop, evolve, and maintain department pipelines, including: 3D asset creation, ingest, tracking, and delivery; Production automation and tracking; Web and desktop-based automations for all creative and production tasks; Animation, rigging, cloth, and creature techniques; Shading, lighting, and rendering techniques; Virtual production, motion capture, real-time, and ICVFX workflows; Compositing, color, conform, and finishing workflows.
Create, develop, deploy, and maintain Python or C++ plugins and extensions for 3rd party packages and platforms, including: Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, Houdini, Nuke, Fusion, Adobe CC, Resolve, Shotgrid Toolkit.
Extend and integrate the use of Shotgrid and other database systems to meet production needs, including both desktop-native and browser-hosted applications and plugins.
Design User Interfaces for automation tools for Asset management, VFX, Visualization, and Production.
Work with non-technical end users to help define requirements for new tools and pipeline processes to solve production problems.
Develop test plans and roll out new workflows and tools, and work with end users and stakeholders to improve the usability of these tools.
Work with a sprint team: scope and bid tickets, participate in launch and review meetings, collaborate with product owners and production customers to prioritize work, communicate progress, and support team members with technical guidance.
Follow the processes and procedures of the software development life cycle, build and release system, documentation and testing standards.
Support users on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Write the necessary end-user and developer documentation for developed tools.
Train and support artists to use the developed tools.
Perform other duties as assigned.