Overview

PIPELINE TD: Image Engine, Vancouver, BC
CONTRACT: starting February, 2016
PROJECT: TBD

ABOUT IMAGE ENGINE

Well known for our work on Neill Blomkamp’s District 9, Elysium and Chappie among others, Image Engine creates numerous incredible creatures, epic environments and extraordinary digital effects for a broad range of feature films! We are led by a team of creative and passionate individuals who are committed to furthering the art of visual storytelling, and helping our exceptionally talented crew to push the boundaries of artistic and technical achievement at our studio.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Pipeline TD is a versatile, selfdriven, passionate individual with an urge to help others in their VFX struggles and essentially provides a first line of support and solutions at Image Engine. It is a fascinating position that allows one individual to see the whole gamut of a VFX Pipeline with everything that it entails. It could span from Production matters to Maya glitches or Asset Management issues to anything from Color Profiles configurations to Show Setup and back again. You will be in the team that helps everybody with maybe an emphasis on the Maya/Houdini/Gaffer to our Asset Management type issues. You will support solutions for all the departments including Assets, Animation, Production, Render Wrangling, Lighting or Fx and even IT sometimes. You will need solid and clean coding practices and if you have a knack for UI/UX it’s a plus and we might ask you to use those skills. Primarily, the Pipeline TD use their meticulous investigative skills to listen to our artists, coordinators, and producers challenges and either educate them with an existing solution or translate and implement their struggle into a specific tool which enables them to coordinate and execute show requirements effectively. Pipeline TDs are the primary point of contact for shows like the emergency staff in a hospital but they are supported by the entire software group in their undertakings of course. You are not alone! Pipeline TDs contribute to the overall operation and improvement of the Facility Pipeline. This will include but will not be limited to engaging in crossdepartment communication, flagging/providing solutions to critical path issues, and creating documentation. In addition, they help develop new process and innovative solutions to bring Image Engine artistry to the next level.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Determine the broad technical and creative approach, in conjunction with the Head of Technical Production or Pipeline Lead
● Provide support to the VFX departments and to the Productions in the smooth running of tasks through our pipeline
● Build and maintain elements of the pipeline with an emphasis on supporting the flow of our processes between Maya/Houdini/Nuke and our Asset Management system.
● Create facility based or showbased scripts and tools
● Communicate successes and challenges faced by the team to the Head of Technical Production or Pipeline Lead
● Provide support for artists in learning and using the pipeline
● Be an additional point of support for shot based issues, alongside leads and supervisors
● Act as a liaison for communicating technical issues to IT or R&D
● Use time management skills to schedule tasks effectively

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

● 4+ years’ experience as a Pipeline TD in the VFX industry or closely related
● A degree or equivalent in Computer Graphics, Computer Science or other related course
● Ability to balance quick turnaround while achieving a high degree of technical quality
● Show selfdrive and motivations

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical skills

● Experience of Python and shell scripting is required. PyQt/PySide, C or C++ is a plus
● Proactive, very meticulous and accurate in your coding
● Experience with Linux is required
● Knowledge of Maya, Nuke, Houdini, and/or Shotgun
● Experience building software (SConstruct, CMake, Git)

Core skills

● Interest in monitoring and identifying potential inefficiencies in a production pipeline
● Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities and projects
● Ability to take direction and feedback from a supervisor or a peer
● Team oriented with good communication skills, able to work closely with artists
● Ability to work in a sometimes high pressure environment
● Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and applications
● Excellent time management and communication skills
● In love with the Movies!!