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- Tasks: Lead the development and optimization of our rendering pipeline using Pixar's RenderMan.
- Company: Join Skydance Animation, a hub for creativity and technological innovation in storytelling.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic culture with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in animation, pushing creative boundaries while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in rendering engineering, strong C++ and Python skills, and expertise in RenderMan required.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities available for junior engineers to foster technical growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Skydance offers a dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving culture where innovative ideas are welcomed, and growth fostered. The partnership between unique creativity and technological advancements are demonstrated within each pillar of the company. At the heart of it all is a commitment to boldly entertaining and relevant storytelling.
While all Animation studios look to hire people who are creative and hard-working, Skydance Animation is specifically looking for pioneers who seek to push the limits of what the world’s most collaborative art form can achieve, and to give those pioneers the space and the resources to build a new studio that’s doing something different.
Skydance Animation is seeking a highly skilled Software Engineer with a specialty in RenderMan to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and maintaining our rendering pipeline using Pixar’s RenderMan. This role involves close collaboration with artists, technical directors, and other engineers to ensure the highest quality rendering output and efficient workflows. The candidate should possess strong programming skills, deep knowledge of rendering techniques, and experience with RenderMan.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership through expert knowledge to a production studio adopting RenderMan
- Interface with Pixar RenderMan Engineering team to stay abreast on upcoming changes and devise an on-ramp for adopting and integrating new features
- Stay current with the latest advancements in rendering technology and implement new techniques to improve visual quality and efficiency
- Advise and participate in developing and maintaining the rendering pipeline using RenderMan
- Advise and participate in the Integration of RenderMan into the studio’s existing workflows and tools, which are primarily in Houdini/Solaris, with some in Maya
- Implement techniques to manage geometry complexity, optimize lighting and shading computations, and improve overall rendering efficiency
- Lead the design and architecture of rendering solutions using RenderMan, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability
- In partnership with the productions provide timelines, milestones, and on-time delivery of rendering projects
- Communicate with stakeholders, including artists, producers, and other technical teams, to understand requirements and provide updates on progress
- Assist with debugging issues that require deep RenderMan knowledge
- Collaborate with the Skydance cloud rendering provider and IT group to maximize resource usage while minimizing cost per render-unit
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers, fostering technical growth and best practices
Requirements
- Bachelor or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, or a related field
- 6+ years of experience in rendering engineering or a similar role in the visual effects, animation, or gaming industry
- Proven experience with Pixar’s RenderMan in a production environment utilizing Houdini with Solaris
- Strong proficiency in C++ and Python
- Deep understanding of rendering techniques, including ray tracing, global illumination, subsurface scattering, motion blur, depth of field, and physically based rendering
- Experience with shader development using MaterialX Lama, RSL, OSL, or similar shading languages
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, international environment
- Effective communication and teamwork skills
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Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan employer: Skydance Media
Contact Detail:
Skydance Media Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your experience with RenderMan prominently in your discussions. Highlight specific projects where you utilized RenderMan, especially in a production environment, as this will resonate well with the team at Skydance.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with the latest advancements in rendering technology and be prepared to discuss how you can implement these techniques to improve visual quality and efficiency. This shows your commitment to staying current in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Emphasize your collaborative skills during conversations. Since the role involves working closely with artists and technical directors, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience, particularly in mentoring junior engineers. Skydance values fostering growth, so sharing examples of how you've guided others will help you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Familiarize yourself with Skydance's dynamic and inclusive culture. Highlight how your innovative ideas and collaborative spirit align with their commitment to storytelling and creativity in your application.
Tailor Your Resume: Make sure your resume emphasizes your experience with RenderMan, C++, Python, and any relevant projects in visual effects or animation. Showcase specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership and problem-solving skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your technical expertise but also expresses your passion for pushing the boundaries of rendering technology. Mention your experience working in collaborative environments and how you can contribute to Skydance's goals.
Highlight Relevant Projects: Include examples of past projects where you successfully implemented rendering techniques or optimized workflows. Discuss your role in these projects and the impact of your contributions on the overall success of the production.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skydance Media
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with RenderMan in detail. Highlight specific projects where you developed or optimized rendering pipelines, and be ready to explain the techniques you used, such as ray tracing or global illumination.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with artists and technical teams, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in past projects. Emphasize your ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends
Research the latest advancements in rendering technology and be ready to discuss how you would implement these innovations at Skydance. Showing that you're proactive about staying current can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Prepare to walk through your problem-solving process for debugging issues related to RenderMan, showcasing your analytical skills and deep knowledge of rendering techniques.
