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Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan

California, United States (Hybrid)

Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan

2 Hours ago • 6 Years + • Rendering • $170,000 PA - $185,000 PA

About the job

10 skills required for this role

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

maya

cpp

houdini

python

scalability

lighting-shading

rendering

shader-development

storytelling

talent-acquisition

Job Description

Skydance Animation seeks a Lead Software Engineer specializing in RenderMan to develop, optimize, and maintain its rendering pipeline. This role involves close collaboration with artists and engineers, requiring strong programming (C++, Python), deep RenderMan knowledge, and expertise in rendering techniques (ray tracing, global illumination, etc.). Responsibilities include leading the design of rendering solutions, integrating RenderMan into existing workflows (Houdini/Solaris, Maya), optimizing rendering efficiency, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with Pixar's RenderMan team. The ideal candidate will have 6+ years of experience in a production environment using RenderMan with Houdini.

Must have:

6+ years RenderMan experience
Proficiency in C++ and Python
Deep understanding of rendering techniques
Shader development experience
Houdini/Solaris experience

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.

If you’ve ever dreamt of what the early days of Hollywood must have been like, of what it takes to roll up your sleeves and break new ground, figure out a new process, and to one day say, “I was there when it all began,” then welcome aboard…

For information on Skydance’s privacy practices, see the Skydance U.S. Personnel Privacy Notice located at https://skydance.com/privacy-personnel/.

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We are 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, a 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

The salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $170,000 – $185,000. The salary offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.

We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements as written in the job description.

#animation #LI-hybrid

Skydance is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to building and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We welcome and consider applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy status, military/veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Diversity in the workplace is not just a commitment, it is who we are and a reflection of what makes our world special.

Recruitment Fraud Alert

It has come to our attention that there may be fraudulent activity by individuals impersonating our Talent Acquisition team. Skydance will only contact you from an official “@skydance.com” email address. If you suspect that you are being contacted by an unauthorized person or believe that the correspondence you have received is suspicious, please do not click on any links or attachments in such emails and submit any questions or concerns to our information security team at information.security@skydance.com.

View Full Job Description

$170.0K - $185.0K/yr (Outscal est.)

$177.5K/yr avg.

Los Angeles, California, United States

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About The Company

SKYDANCE

24 Active Jobs

About Skydance Media

Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, and interactive platforms. Its feature films include Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Annihilation, LIFE, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Star Trek Beyond, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Terminator Genisys, World War Z, Star Trek Into Darkness, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jack Reacher, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and True Grit. Skydance’s upcoming film releases include Top Gun: Maverick, Gemini Man, The Old Guard, 6 Underground and the nwe untitled Terminator film. In 2017, Skydance formed an animation division to develop and produce a slate of high-end feature films and television series in partnership with Spain’s Ilion Animation Studios. Skydance Television launched in 2013. Its current slate includes Emmy-nominated Grace and Frankie on Netflix, Altered Carbon on Netflix, Jack Ryan on Amazon, and Condor on AT&T Audience Network. Skydance Interactive launched in 2016 to create and publish original and IP-based virtual reality experiences and video games. Skydance Interactive recently debuted its first original title – Archangel, a story-driven VR shooter.

About Skydance Interactive

Skydance Interactive creates and publishes original and IP-based virtual reality games. The division of Skydance Media was launched in 2016 through the acquisition of The Workshop Entertainment. Skydance Interactive’s first VR offering is Archangel, launched on July 18th 2017. Skydance Interactive in 2017 partnered with Skybound Entertainment to develop a number of original virtual reality video games based on the expansive world of The Walking Dead universe. The Walking Dead VR game will be the inaugural co-developed title from both companies. The studio is located in Marina del Rey, CA.

About Animation

In 2017, Skydance formed an animation division to develop and produce a slate of high-end feature films and television series in partnership with Spain’s Ilion Animation Studios. Skydance’s first three animated features are Luck, Split (working title), and Powerless (working title). Luck, directed by Alessandro Carloni (Kung Fu Panda 3) and written by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger, is a comedy that pulls back the curtain on the millennia-old battle between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly affects our daily lives. Split, directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) and written by Linda Woolverton, tells the story of Elian, a teenager who comes of age using her magical powers to defend her family when the opposing forces of light and darkness threaten to divide her kingdom. Nathan Greno (Tangled) is set to direct Powerless. The studio is located in Los Angeles, CA.