Technical Director Pre Production

Netflix • Burbank, CA

2d • $120,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The Pre-Production Technical Director supports creative and visual objectives through pipeline troubleshooting, user support, technical direction, and tool development for front-end craft groups, including Story, Edit, Art, Concept, Design, Visual Development, and Previs. The role requires deep knowledge of the processes, technology, and tools used in these domains, and contributes technical expertise to the design and development of artist workflows and tools so pre-production is efficient and integrated with the overall production pipeline.

The position provides technical expertise and guidance across Pre-Production technology; helps direct, evolve, and maintain that technology; and designs, develops, and writes maintainable, high-quality code. It partners with TDs and Software Engineers to resolve complex technical issues and drive key development initiatives. The role also ensures tools and procedures support the creative process, troubleshoots and optimizes workflows, and leads QA, testing, and validation of new technology and pipeline changes.

The Technical Director monitors development deadlines and scope, breaks projects into organized parts, and works with the Supervising TD on estimates and pitches. In partnership with the Supervising TD for Front-End and Technology Talent Management, the role provides technical guidance, mentors and develops mid-level TDs, assists with orientation of senior new starters, and fosters collaboration across work groups. Strong communication and collaboration are important for coordinating plans and schedules, discussing complex technical issues, presenting to teams, and documenting specifications, tickets, and status updates.

The role is expected to be collaborative, artist-focused, proactive, supportive, detail-oriented, trustworthy, and reliable. Relevant education in software engineering and/or the film creation process is requested, along with at least five years of pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, animated television, games, and/or VFX feature films.

Requirements

• Relevant education in software engineering and/or the film creation process.
• At least 5 years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, animated TV series, games, and/or VFX feature films.
• Proven technical achievements within feature animation or VFX.
• Understanding of traditional techniques appropriate to the Pre-Production craft group.
• Comprehensive experience using and troubleshooting relevant software such as Maya, Flix, Avid, Storyboard Pro, Premiere, Photoshop, and other Pre-Production software.
• Comprehensive understanding of technical details within the Pre-Production department.
• Ability to review code and troubleshoot problems.
• Expert knowledge of Python and PyQt or another GUI toolkit.
• Knowledge of data flow, data dependencies, metadata, publishing, and retrieval.
• Strong understanding of USD and its general concepts.
• Knowledge of Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid).
• Knowledge of code management software such as git and GitHub, and code review processes.
• Knowledge of software development practices such as Agile and their application in software such as Jira.
• Degree in Animation, Film, Computer Science, Design, Engineering, Math, or Physics, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in animation/VFX.
• Strong communication and written communication skills.
• Collaborative, artist-focused, proactive, supportive, detail-oriented, trustworthy, and reliable approach.

Nice To Haves

• Solid understanding of C++.

Responsibilities

• Understand productions’ visual requirements and suggest technologies or design procedures, techniques, and tools to meet them.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for technology across the Pre-Production department.
• Contribute to the direction, evolution, and maintenance of Pre-Production technology.
• Design, develop, and write maintainable, consistently high-quality code.
• Track and resolve complex Pre-Production technical issues in partnership with TDs and Software Engineers.
• Collaborate with Pre-Production TDs and Software Engineers to advance key development initiatives.
• Ensure Pre-Production technology, tools, and procedures support the creative process.
• Solve visual problems using existing tools or by leading implementation of new tools.
• Troubleshoot and optimize Pre-Production tools, software, and workflows.
• Drive QA, technical testing, and validation of new technology, tool releases, and pipeline changes to avoid disrupting artist workflows.
• Understand adjoining departments’ processes and provide input to improve pipeline efficiency and quality.
• Participate in brainstorming and problem-solving to create and maintain technology within the canonical production pipeline.
• Support the organization’s technical goals as required.
• Track deadlines for development initiatives and help keep them on schedule.
• Monitor the scope of technically challenging initiatives and help ensure scope changes receive additional estimates.
• Prioritize and break down technical projects into organized parts.
• Work with the Supervising TD to prepare estimates and pitches.
• Work with the Supervising TD for Front-End to provide technical guidance to Pre-Production TDs and escalate issues through appropriate channels.
• Work with Technology Talent Management and Supervising TDs to develop mid-level TDs’ skills and abilities.
• Mentor mid-level TDs and assist with orientation for senior new starters.
• Create synergies among work groups to promote efficiency, optimization, and innovative approaches.
• Communicate technical ideas, project status, problems, requirements, and rollout plans effectively.
• Contribute to planning and scheduling complex technology initiatives in coordination with Program Managers.
• Discuss complex issues with Senior Software Engineers, developers, and supervisors.
• Present to small teams, including tool demonstrations and related processes or dashboards.
• Write clear specifications, tickets, and status updates.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans (depending on collective bargaining agreement coverage).
• Mental health support.
• Retirement programs.
• Family-forming benefits.
• Paid leave of absence programs.
• Paid time away programs for vacation and sick paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior