Compositing Software Developer/Technical Director

Position Overview

SideFX is seeking an exceptional senior software developer or technical director to join its Toronto-based compositing R&D team.

We are developing Copernicus, a next-generation procedural image processing architecture to provide the backbone for compositing, texture synthesis, machine learning, real-time 2D simulation, seamless 3D integration, and motion tracking. You will be developing Copernicus’ compositing toolset for Houdini, our flagship software, which has proceduralism, openness, and flexibility as its core philosophies. The new compositing system will embody these principles, scaling to massive task graphs and supporting both out-of-the-box operations and user-generated algorithms. Compositing will work seamlessly with other parts of Houdini, including the 3D viewer, the Solaris/USD environment, our Karma renderers, physical simulations, and geometry processing.

As a member of the compositing group, you will be working with some of the brightest minds in the industry and interacting with an outstanding artist community. Our R&D team members have received prestigious industry awards, including several Academy Awards and Emmy’s from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Everyone here shares a drive for excellence and a passion for innovation in visual effects, image processing and compositing technology. Providing digital artists with the most advanced tools for their craft is, and has always been our single focus.

What you will be working on

• Develop, maintain and support our new compositing toolset for Copernicus.
• Research and implement compositing algorithms such as keying, grading, deep workflows, feature detection and removal, colour correction and much more.
• Explore motion-tracking solutions.
• Optimize image algorithms for top performance on CPU and GPU devices.
• Optimize procedural networks of image operations to run efficiently within memory limits.
• Work toward bridging the gap between 2D and 3D in Houdini.
• Collaborate with other R&D staff, technical directors and artists.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you need to be successful

Compositing Software Developer and Technical Director candidates:

• Industry experience with OpenCL, CUDA, SyCl, Vulkan, or similar compute-based API.
• Solid production experience with image processing and compositing techniques.
• History of delivering innovative, robust and scalable solutions.
• Ability to learn independently, use solid judgment and develop at a fast pace.
• Keen understanding of compositing artists’ needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
  

Compositing Software Developer candidates only:

• Computer Science degree or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of C++ programming in a multi-threaded environment.
• Extensive experience with algorithmic optimization for memory and performance.
• Proven experience with image-based hardware acceleration techniques.
• Ability to do independent research on execution graph optimization.
• Uncanny ability to uncover and remove bugs in a large software base.

Compositing Technical Director candidates only:

• Extensive production experience with Python programming.

Not required but great to have

• Knowledge of other GPU computing and rendering APIs.
• Knowledge of OpenFX, OpenImageIO, OpenTimelineIO, and OpenColorIO.
• Knowledge of Qt.
• Knowledge of texture synthesis techniques.
• Experience with Machine Learning applications to image processing.

Sample R&D Projects

• Create node operators for a wide range of compositing tasks.
• Interface with other parts of Houdini, such as the 3D viewer.
• Design workflows for complex operations such as feature tracking and keying.
• Integrate the compositing module seamlessly with the rest of Houdini.
• Design 2D and 3D handles and interactive workflows for an artist-friendly UX.
• Implement image motion analysis for feature tracking.
• Integrate robust OpenColorIO support for image file I/O.

Company Profile

For over thirty years, SideFX has been at the forefront of providing artists with procedural 3D animation and visual effects tools designed to produce the highest-quality cinematic results. Rooted in production as both artists and pioneering technical innovators, we are passionate about supporting our customers' creative visions.

SideFX has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences multiple times, including with an Oscar® for our flagship software product, Houdini, and our breakthrough procedurally based technology.

Used by the world’s top film, TV, and game studios, from the largest AAA to the smallest Indie, Houdini has transformed content creation workflows at hundreds of film and game studios. Contributing to blockbuster movies like Black Panther and Moana, captivating TV shows such as Game of Thrones and The Crown, and hit video games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Spiderman, and Ghost Recon. Our diverse clientele includes industry leaders like Disney Feature Animation, Pixar, Weta Digital, CD Projekt Red, and Rockstar Games, demonstrating Houdini’s transformative impact across multiple entertainment mediums.

What We Value Most:

• Decency: We treat everyone with honesty, kindness and empathy. We give generously of our time and knowledge.
• Relationships: We build collaborative bonds—with our co-workers and clients—based on trust and respect. Our diverse team gives us broader perspectives.
• Dedication: We take pride and ownership in our work, always trying to do our best. We are devoted to the well-being and success of each other and our clients.
• Excellence: We continually improve ourselves, our work and our company, striving towards excellence in all that we do.

Our Employees Receive:

• Hybrid Work option - Combining time spent collaborating in person at our offices with remote work for added flexibility.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and floater days to relax and re-energize (starting at 4 weeks).
• Year-End Company Shutdown and Long Weekend Early departures to add to the excitement.
• Health insurance coverage: Robust Health insurance coverage for you and your dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP); because sometimes we need a bit of extra support.
• Retirement Plan with company matched contributions.
• Comprehensive Long Service Award program, providing both a monetary reward and additional days off.
• A highly competitive bonus structure.
• A generous sick time entitlement to care for yourself and your loved ones.

Why Join SideFX?

• Because you want to be part of a unique experience and winning team that has won an Oscar and an Emmy (Cool, right?)
• Because you want to grow with one of Canada's Best Managed Companies®
• Because you want to be part of an industry-leading company that is constantly mindfully growing.
• Because you want to work with some of the most talented people in the industry on a ground-breaking product.
• Because you want to work with people from all around the world.
• Because you want to be part of an exciting and fun industry.
• Because you want to join and add to a positive, supportive and respected company culture.
• Because you want your job to be GREAT!

Not the right role for you at this time? Take a look at all of our job postings on our Careers page or join our SideFX Talent Community for future career opportunities! 

Location 

Our transit-friendly head office location, directly adjacent to Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto, is open-concept with a relaxed style that includes, casual dress, and wraparound views from the 14th floor.

SideFX is committed to inclusion and diversity. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities upon request.