Department Technical Director (Animation)

TL;DR

Department Technical Director (Animation): Designing and maintaining production-critical software and pipeline tools for feature animation with an accent on DCC integration and workflow automation. Focus on engineering robust software solutions for Maya, Houdini, and Unreal to optimize artist efficiency and system reliability.

Location: Hybrid; must be based in the US and able to contribute from the office a minimum of four days per week (Los Angeles, CA)

Salary: $89,752 - $130,000 USD

Company

hirify.global Animation is a leading producer of high-quality, award-winning animated films and series, creating immersive worlds and original content globally.

What you will do

• Support production-critical software, infrastructure, and workflows including rendering, animation, and particle effects.
• Design and deploy new tools and processes for specific shows or departments to streamline production.
• Engineer robust software solutions following studio coding standards and best practices.
• Triage artist and production issues, providing technical support for DCCs like Maya, Houdini, and Unreal.
• Build validation tests to ensure software quality and maintain documentation for recurring problem solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and assist in mentoring new Technical Directors.

Requirements

• Software development experience in Python, C++, Javascript, HScript, MEL, or TCL.
• Strong programming skills with a focus on Object Oriented Programming (OOP).
• Working knowledge of computer graphics fundamentals and industry-standard DCCs (Maya, Houdini, Unreal, Nuke).
• Professional production experience in computer animation, visual effects, or the game industry.
• Ability to work independently or within a group while managing shifting priorities.

Nice to have

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Python.
• Experience writing tools or plugins specifically for computer graphics applications.
• Proven track record of tool integration into existing or new production pipelines.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative community of artists, technologists, and innovators.
• Focus on transparency, trust, and frequent communication.
• Inclusive environment valuing non-traditional paths to success.
• Equal employment opportunity employer with a supportive team culture.