Software Engineering Intern, RenderMan - Summer 2026

Pixar's RenderMan Products Group offers internship opportunities for software engineering students to assist in the development and maintenance of its world-renowned rendering software. Interns will maintain and develop tools for production pipelines, perform product development and maintenance, proactively test functionality, and contribute to design discussions, ensuring high-quality software.

Must Have

• Maintain and develop tools to facilitate use of RenderMan and ancillary tools in production pipelines
• Perform product development and maintenance tasks
• Proactively test new and existing functionality to ensure the highest levels of quality
• Contribute to team efforts by participating in design discussions, sharing engineering responsibilities, and fostering adoption of best practices
• College degree focus in computer science, computer graphics or another area of relevant study
• Fluent in C++ and have some experience with Python
• Solid foundation in software engineering, including object-oriented programming
• Understand and are interested in photorealistic rendering (ray tracing, BXDFs, geometry processing)
• Familiar with shading languages and their use in film production pipelines
• Familiar with machine learning techniques
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Ability to work well independently within a fast-paced, dynamic, quality-obsessed environment
• Minimally a junior in college working towards a degree or certificate in computer science, computer graphics or other areas of relevant study
• Possess the legal right to work in the United States
• Available to work full-time on-site Mon 6.1.26 - Fri 8.21.26

Good to Have

• Familiarity with GPU programming
• Experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Further studies at Master’s or PhD level preferred
• Within first year after graduation

Job Summary:

Pixar's RenderMan Products Group has internship opportunities assisting in the development and maintenance of its world-renowned rendering software. This internship is based onsite in Emeryville, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop tools to facilitate use of RenderMan and ancillary tools in production pipelines
• Perform product development and maintenance tasks
• Proactively test new and existing functionality to ensure the highest levels of quality
• Contribute to team efforts by participating in design discussions, sharing engineering responsibilities, and fostering adoption of best practices

Qualifications:

• The focus of your college degree is in computer science, computer graphics or another area of relevant study
• You are fluent in C++ and have some experience with Python
• You have a solid foundation in software engineering, including object-oriented programming. Familiarity with GPU programming is a plus
• You understand and are interested in photorealistic rendering (ray tracing, BXDFs, geometry processing)
• You are familiar with shading languages and their use in film production pipelines
• You are familiar with machine learning techniques. Experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow is a plus
• You have strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task
• You can work well independently within a fast-paced, dynamic, quality-obsessed environment
• You keep up with the latest developments in the industry, including recent research

Eligibility:

• Minimally a junior in college working towards a degree or certificate in computer science, computer graphics or other areas of relevant study. Further studies at Master’s or PhD level preferred
• Those within first year after graduation are also eligible to apply for this opportunity
• You already possess the legal right to work in the United States
• This is a full-time position. You must be available to work on-site Mon 6.1.26 - Fri 8.21.26

Visa Sponsorship:

• Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor student/intern visas at this time

Submission Process and Application Materials (Please Read Carefully):

• Attach a single PDF file containing your cover letter and your resume
• Due to the high volume of submissions, we are not able to provide feedback nor are we able to respond to requests for application status. You will be notified when there is an update on your application.
• In submitting your application, you are agreeing to the terms of our Submission Release Form. Without this, we are unable to consider your application.

**APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, February 1, 2026**

The pay rate for this internship in Emeryville is $40.41 per hour.

About Pixar Animation Studios:

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renoinswned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Inside Out,” and “Coco.” Its movies have won 35 Academy Awards® and have grossed more than $13 billion at the worldwide box office to date.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Pixar Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.