Core Assets Technical Director jobs at Netflix in Canada, Vancouver

Job Summary:

The Modeling Technical Lead will work closely with the Head of Assets and Craft Supervisors to ensure best practices in their area of expertise. They will ensure a common and standardised approach to workflows and tool development within the Modeling department and will be responsible for supporting the Modeling Artists with technical issues relating to the use of our procedural tools. This role is crucial in maintaining the quality and efficiency of our modeling processes across projects.
What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate with Assets and Craft Supervisors to implement best practices in relation to Procedural Modeling, ensuring consistency and quality across projects.

• Partner with the Head of Assets to define project requirements, show contract specifications, and contribute to development planning and execution.

• Work with asset TDs and R&D teams to develop and test tools, addressing technical issues and providing feedback to improve tools and workflows.

• Assist the project Modeling Supervisors in determining the best approach to solve production-specific challenges.

• Assist the Modeling Artists with technical problems related to department tools and technical workflows and provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members.

What You’ll Need:

• 5+ years' experience as a Technical Modeler on animated/VFX feature, TV commercials, or animated series.

• In-depth knowledge of Assets pipeline and tools.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on improving and streamlining workflows.

• Skilled in communicating technical information to non-technical team members and experienced in mentoring junior artists.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, creative environment while maintaining attention to detail.

• Knowledge of 3D software such as Houdini, Maya, or any Procedural Modelling software.

• Strong expertise in Procedural Geometry and relevant software tools.

• Programming experience in Python is a bonus.

• Skilled in adapting to new software and tools, and able to quickly learn and implement new techniques.

• Experienced in collaborating with other departments such as Modelling, Lighting, and Asset TDs to achieve the desired look of assets.

• Ability to quickly acquire a working understanding of off-the-shelf and proprietary software tools.

• Excellence in pro-active problem solving and finding solutions within the given parameters.

• Adaptable and calm, while balancing workload with Artist, Production, Lead, and Supervisor needs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in both a technical and artistic manner.

• Willing to learn and contribute to the success of the team and project.

• Strong written and verbal English language skills.

• Ability to communicate with various personality types.

• Ability to work collaboratively, build relationships, and share knowledge.

• Ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple projects.

• Keen interest in industry trends and advancements in Procedural Modeling techniques and tools.

What You’ll Do:

• Onboarding/New Hire Training:Contribute to the development and delivery of Netflix Animation's new hireonboarding curriculum by providing a best-in-class new hire training experience.Act as a liaison with the Tech team to troubleshoot technical issues as they arise during new hire training.

• Workshops:Lead and collaborate with experts to conduct workshops on software like Maya, Houdini, Blender, Nuke, Flix, and Photoshop, covering new features and techniques for all skill levels. Provide training support for proprietary software and tools.

• Custom Course Creation:As needed, partner with tech and production departments to utilize internal training assets, develop course outlines, support transforming existing materials into courses and workshops.

• SME Course Support:Assist SMEs in creating course content, descriptions, and outcomes and converting courses to LMS formats. This will include managing video recordings, video and sound editing, organizing and encoding videos for access, and managing storage and permissions.

• LMS Management:Oversee the Learning Management System by creating, uploading, and managing courses and Instructor-Led Trainings (ILTs). This can also include designing icons, buttons and graphics for LMS and Courses.

• Training Material Maintenance:Maintain and update existing training materials and documentation to align with production workflows. Create new materials that are team-specific or studio-wide.

• Training Room Management:Maintain training rooms and coordinate with the Tech and AV teams to manage technology during events. Update the training software as needed. Collaborate with the training coordinator on scheduling and calendaring for the training room. Work with the Senior Talent and Development Manager to provide recommendations for training room updates and requirements.

• Collaboration and Instruction:Collaborate with grace, humility, inclusion, and open-mindedness. Work with artist management, production and technology teams to understand training needs and deliver intermediate and advanced technical training.

• Classroom and Event Management:Help maintain classrooms, including physical spaces, hardware, and software. Participate in organizing and delivering studio-internal and cross-studio learning events.

• Team Collaboration:Partner withProduction and Department Leadership to design and facilitate training, as well as partner with Artist Management, Technology, Production, Employee Services, and HR to propose, create, and complete classes and activities supporting technical education across all departments.

What You’ll Need:

• Teaching and Instructional Design:Minimum 3 years of experience in designing and delivering engaging training sessions, both in-person and online, with a passion for teaching. Skilled in instructional design and using assessment tools to measure effectiveness.

• Technical and Industry Expertise:Possess a deep understanding and first-hand working knowledge of CG production pipelines and team collaboration in film production. Proficient in 3D animation software such as Maya, Houdini, Blender, and Nuke, as well as related tools like Substance, Mari, Photoshop, and Linux. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the animation industry and the end-to-end production pipeline for 3D animation, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a CG production pipeline or as a Technical Director within a 3D animation studio.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, demonstrating strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills. Experience working in a global team environment, with at least 3 successful cross-cultural projects. Capable of building and maintaining strong team relationships, appreciating cultural and business nuances globally.

• Problem-Solving and Adaptability:Have at least 3 years of experience in diagnosing and resolving technical issues in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in maintaining composure under pressure and adept at thriving in a rapidly growing, global studio environment. Must be capable of supporting constant change and managing ambiguity effectively

• Organizational and Documentation Skills:Strong organizational and time-management abilities, with experience in documentation using platforms like Wiki/Confluence and Google Docs.

• Curiosity and Consultative Approach:Demonstrate strong curiosity and a consultative approach in understanding and translating talent needs into training initiatives and programming, with proven track record of a least two successful a program implementations.

• Programming Knowledge:​Basic proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or similar, with at least 2-3 years of practical experience.

• Educational Background:Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Film Production, or a related field, preferably with a focus on Computer Graphics preferred.

• Understand the visual requirements for productions, and suggest new technologies, or design procedures, techniques, and tools that will enable these to be met.

• Provide technical expertise and guidance for all technology within the Core Assets department

• Lead the direction, evolution & maintenance of the technology within the Core Assets Department.

• Designs, develops and writes well maintainable and consistently high quality code.

• Track and resolve the most complex technical issues within Core Assets in partnership with Lead TDs, Supervising TDs & R&D.

• Work closely with other TD’s within Core Assets to drive the technical success of key development initiatives.

• Ensure that technology, tools and procedures within the Core Assets Craft Group support the creative process.

• Provide solutions to visual problems through existing tools or by leading the implementation of new tools.

• Take responsibility for the troubleshooting & optimization of the Modelling, Rigging, and Look Development tools, software, and workflows.

• Actively drive the QA, technical testing, and validation of new technology, tool releases, or pipeline changes, such that artist workflow is not impacted.

• Understand the processes of adjoining departments, provide input where required to maximise pipeline efficiency and quality.

• Actively participate in brainstorming and problem-solving, contributing technical expertise and insight, to create and maintain technology within the canonical production pipeline.

• Support the organisation’s overall technical goals as required.

• Be aware of the deadlines for own development initiatives (both show-based, and facility) and actively engage in keeping these on track.

• Continuously monitor the scope of the most technically challenging development initiatives within the Core Assets department and help to ensure scope adjustments have additional estimates, etc..

• Prioritise and break down technical projects into organised parts.

• Work with the Supervising TD to prepare estimates and pitches as required

• Work with Supervising TD for Core Assets to provide technical guidance to Core Assets TD’s with day-to-day issues and escalation through the right channels when necessary.

• Work with Technology Talent Management and Supervising TDs to help further develop the skills and abilities of mid level TDs within the Core Assets Craft Group.

• Mentor mid level TDs within the team and assist in orientation with senior new starters.

• Create synergies between different work groups to promote efficiency and optimization and to generate innovative ideas and approaches to how we do things.

• Able to communicate with Program Managers to contribute to scheduling and planning of complex technology initiatives.

• Able to discuss complex issues with Senior Software engineers, developers and supervisors.

• Able to present to small teams (tool demos, Show Contract process, Support Dashboards, etc.).

What You’ll Need:

• Relevant education in software engineering and/or film creation process.

• 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, animated TV series, and/or VFX feature films.

• Proven technical achievements within feature animation or VFX.

• An understanding of traditional techniques appropriate to the Core Assets craft group.

• Comprehensive experience using and troubleshooting in Maya, Houdini, Nuke, and/or other similar software in the animation domain.

• Comprehensive understanding of technical details within the Core Assets department

• Ability to code review and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

• Expert knowledge in Python as well as PyQt or another GUI toolkit.

• Knowledge of concepts like data flow, data dependencies, metadata, publishing, and retrieval.

• Solid understanding of C++ a plus.

• A strong understanding of USD and its general concepts.

• Knowledge of Flow Production Tracking (shotgrid).

• Knowledge of code management software such as git and github and code review processes.

• Knowledge of software development practices such as Agile and how to apply them in software such as Jira.

• Degree in Animation, Film, Computer Science, Design, Engineering, Math or Physics, or equivalent combination of education & work experience in animation/VFX.

Job is open for no less than 7 days and will be removed when the position is filled.