Senior 3D Pipeline Developer - Vancouver / Montreal

Barnstorm VFX is seeking a Senior 3D Pipeline Developer for its Pipeline Department in Vancouver or Montreal. This role involves developing and maintaining 3D workflows using Maya and Houdini, integrating tools with APIs like USD, and optimizing pipeline performance. The developer will design custom tools, troubleshoot issues, and mentor junior developers, ensuring seamless VFX production. Candidates need strong proficiency in Maya and Houdini, experience with various software APIs, and a solid understanding of software development best practices.

Must Have

• Develop and maintain 3D workflows using Maya and Houdini.
• Ensure seamless integration with other software tools and APIs such as USD.
• Design and develop custom tools for Maya and Houdini using Python.
• Optimize pipeline performance and stability.
• Maintain and troubleshoot pipeline tools and workflows.
• Highly proficient in Maya and Houdini.
• Experience with software APIs such as Nuke, Arnold, RedShift, Deadline, and Shotgrid.
• Understanding of software development best practices (agile methodologies, code optimization, code refactoring).
• Four years of experience in VFX as pipeline developer/technical director or a related degree.

Good to Have

• C++ knowledge.
• Familiarity in cloud rendering pipelines for VFX.

Perks & Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance plan
• Retirement savings
• Paid time off

About Barnstorm

Barnstorm is an Emmy and VES-nominated visual effects studio based in Los Angeles and operations in Vancouver, Montreal, NYC, Atlanta, and London. We provide photo-realistic visual effects for a variety of episodic and select sequences in feature films. We pride ourselves in our artists’ talent and dedication to producing world-class visual effects.

Barnstorm VFX is looking for a 3D Pipeline Developer for the Pipeline Department. A highly skilled Senior 3D Pipeline Developer with extensive experience in creating and maintaining pipelines using Houdini and Maya, focusing on optimizing workflows and integrating efficient tools for VFX production. This position reports directly to the Head of Pipeline.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and maintain 3D workflows using mainly Maya and Houdini, ensuring seamless integration with other software tools and APIs such as USD.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels (including owners, supervisors, and artists) to ensure that everyone is kept up-to-date on ongoing projects and issues.
• Design and develop custom tools for Maya and Houdini, using Python (C++ is a plus).
• Optimize pipeline performance and stability, addressing any performance, security, or scalability issues that may arise.
• Maintain and troubleshoot pipeline tools and workflows, providing support and guidance to artists and technical directors.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior pipeline developers, fostering their technical growth and supporting their professional development.
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and emerging technologies to propose and implement improvements to the pipeline.

Who You Are:

• Highly proficient in Maya and Houdini, with a strong understanding of their capabilities and integration.
• Experience with software APIs such as Nuke, Arnold, RedShift, Deadline, and Shotgrid.
• Understanding of software development best practices, such as agile methodologies, code optimization, and code refactoring.
• Familiarity in cloud rendering pipelines for VFX.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a strong understanding of VFX production workflows.
• Experience with remote work and collaboration tools, such as Slack, Bitbucket, and Jira.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced production environment.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field or
• Four years of experience in VFX as pipeline developer/technical director.

About This Role

This role is open to candidates legally eligible to work in Canada in either Vancouver, or Montreal.

The posted pay range is aligned with what we believe is fair pay at the time of posting this role. An applicant’s relevant education, experience, skills and qualifications, location and currency may all be considered when deciding pay position within the range. Pay ranges may change. Benefit plans are dependent on the local plan offering but all US and Canada plans include a comprehensive health insurance plan, retirement savings, and paid time off.

Barnstorm VFX is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. We aim to recruit, support, and retain talented individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of color, people of all genders or non-genders, and people with disabilities.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.