We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Pipeline Technical Director (TD) to join the development phase of our feature-length animation project. This pivotal role requires an individual who can strategically design and implement a robust production pipeline capable of delivering immediate results (e.g., a 1-minute animated sequence) while simultaneously building a scalable and efficient system to comfortably produce the entire 90-minute animated feature.

You will be responsible for creating the foundational infrastructure that empowers our artists and ensures a smooth, consistent, and scalable workflow from concept to final render, with a strong emphasis on Blender and its Greasepencil capabilities.

This position is initially for 5 weeks starting in July 2025. Please note that this position is open to extension and a more substantial involvement in the rest of the project pending successful completion and budget constraints.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect the core production pipeline from the ground up, ensuring it is both highly efficient for initial deliverables and inherently scalable for a feature-length project.

• You may be required to develop, implement, and maintain custom tools, scripts, and workflows using Python and other relevant languages to automate repetitive tasks across various departments (e.g., asset management, animation, lighting, rendering, compositing).

• Deeply integrate and optimize Blender and its Greasepencil features into the pipeline, ensuring seamless interoperability with other tools and an optimized artist experience.

• Establish and manage robust data management systems, including version control (e.g., Git, Perforce) for assets, scenes, and code.

• Implement and manage a reliable render farm submission system, ensuring efficient resource allocation and job tracking.

• Collaborate closely with department leads, supervisors, and artists to understand their needs, gather feedback, and troubleshoot technical issues, providing ongoing support and training.

• Work closely with production management to ensure the pipeline and its required infrastructural elements remain within defined budget constraints.

• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the workflow, proposing and implementing innovative solutions to improve productivity and quality.

• Develop clear documentation for pipeline tools, workflows, and best practices.

• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new software features to continually enhance the pipeline.

• Ensure data integrity, security, and backup strategies are in place to safeguard project assets.

Qualifications

• Proven professional experience as a Pipeline TD or similar role within an animation or VFX production environment.

• Demonstrable experience building scalable pipelines, ideally having contributed to projects that grew significantly in scope.

• Expert-level proficiency with Blender, including a deep understanding of its architecture, data model, and API.

• In-depth practical experience specifically with Blender's Greasepencil feature set from a production pipeline perspective (e.g., managing Greasepencil assets, optimizing performance, custom tool development).

• Expert-level proficiency in Python programming for pipeline development and Blender API scripting.

• Strong understanding of animation production workflows (2D preferred, given project context, but 3D experience is also valuable).

• Solid experience with version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce, SVN).

• Familiarity with database technologies (SQL, NoSQL).

• Experience with render farm management software (e.g., Deadline, OpenCue, Tractor).

• Knowledge of Linux/Windows operating systems and network environments.

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and diagnostic skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to non-technical artists.

• A proactive, organized, and detail-oriented approach to pipeline development.

Bonus Points

• Direct experience with Blender's source code or contributing to Blender development.

• Familiarity with ShotGrid (formerly Shotgun), FTrack, or other production tracking systems.

• Experience with cloud-based production pipelines or cloud computing services (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).

• Contributions to open-source projects or a strong GitHub profile.