Pipeline Supervisor at DNEG in Canada, CA

DDU (DNEG Dedicated Unit) operates within BRAHMA AI and works closely with DNEG to develop technology used directly in production. The team builds tools, platforms and workflows that support VFX and Feature Animation pipelines across DNEG’s global studios. Much of the work focuses on artist-facing tools, large production pipelines, simulation and rendering workflows, and systems that need to run reliably across distributed teams.

As a Pipeline Supervisor you will have overall responsibility for identifying and defining the core pipeline and workflow requirements for large or complex shows. You will be responsible for designing technical solutions to the specific and general needs of those shows in collaboration with global supervisors, senior production staff and lead R&D developers.

Our talented Pipeline Supervisors are highly technical and are enthusiastic leaders. You will be regularly required to:

• Be the bridge between the shows and the requirements of Technology team(s)
• Assigned to one, or more likely numerous shows depending on complexity
  • Responsible for the integrity of said show(s) tech stack
  • Responsible for the leadership of ATDs on show
  • Responsible for the leadership of PipeTDs on show, where applicable
  • Chair show ProdTech meetings/equivalent ceremony for the site
  • In charge of the day-to-day Pipeline Operations of the show
• Onboard and Mentor new ATDs where a PipeTD is not available
• Contribute to Pipeline via knowledge in relevant technology, techniques and workflows
• Collaborate with show leads and supervisors to design technical solutions to complex production problems
• Break down pipeline and tool development projects into development tasks and assign them to the team of ATDs and Pipeline TDs, or complete these tasks themselves.
• Supervise show pipeline and tool development, providing leadership on architecture and methods.
  • This can mean overseeing the pipeline up to the point where geometry is delivered to the renderer - if a show has a Rendering Supervisor, they may take over from there
• Ensure the scalability and reliability of show-developed tools.
• Partner with CG Supervisor, Site Supervisor and R&D/Pipe to address show-specific pipeline needs.
• Ensure effective communication between Leads, Supervisors, Pipe, R&D and the show's pipeline team, as well as make sure critical information is shared across shows.
• Conduct code reviews of tools developed by Pipeline TDs.
• Provide mentorship for ATDs and Pipeline TDs.
• Vet artist requests for new tools.
• Make recommendations and provide solutions to Site Supervisors to improve quality, efficiency, and workflow.
• Facilitate the hand-off of new tools and pipeline improvements at the end of production to either the Product Development team or Operational Labs

This role is an integral part of the connection between our excellent R&D teams and our brilliant artists and Production staff. With every decision the Pipeline team makes you will be evaluating the needs of the specific shows with the improvement of the Double Negative pipeline as a whole and will be key in aiding communication between these two groups.

You will be a supervising presence for more junior members of the Pipeline team, including our Pipeline TDs, ATDs and ATD Apprentices, who will look to you to provide coaching, guidance and mentoring. You will also be required to manage and contribute to their on-show development of tools and workflows, ensuring that all development efforts meet the needs of the show while also contributing to the overall pipeline.

Above all, you will be at the heart of the award-winning Visual Effects and Feature Animation work we undertake and will have significant influence in facilitating the delivery of these world-class shows as well as the cutting-edge technology which makes it all possible.

Must Have

• A degree in Computer Science, Computer Graphics or related field or previous work experience in visual effects, games or another related industry
• Excellent Python and Linux skills
• Experience in developing tools for DCC packages such as Maya, Houdini and/or Nuke
• Experience with source control systems and team development
• Proven ability to negotiate with key stakeholders and balance priority
• Experience in mentoring (and perhaps even leading) junior members of the team
• Experience expectation Management of clients (production)
• Years of experience in a related field

Nice to Have

• Proven negotiation skills in a production environment
• Experience with renderers such as PRMan, Clarisse or Mantra
• Familiarity with agile methodologies
• Working knowledge knowledge of source control, PRs and git flow
• Experience task tracking, jira, or equivalent
• Worked within a mid-large sized development team
• 3-5 years of experience in VFX
• Experience with Realtime Technologies
• Experience in writing documentation and/or tutorials

We would not be able to produce award-winning work without our Production Technology department, which is committed to nurturing a diverse and exciting workplace. Our teams have a variety of backgrounds and originate from a number of different countries, working across the globe at the forefront of technology in the industry.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $150,000 to $164,000 CAD. DNEG salary ranges are determined by function, department, level, and location. An individual's pay within a given range is determined by their transferrable or job-related skills and work experience. Salary ranges are modified from time to time based on external market data collected through our third-party surveys.