Staff R&D Engineer - All Disciplines

Industrial Light & Magic's Research and Development (R&D) group develops ground-breaking technology that empowers artists to create dazzling visuals. We are seeking engineers to join our R&D team and help us develop tools and production techniques across all areas of visual effects and feature animation production. This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop innovative algorithms, craft artist-friendly user interfaces, optimize data management processes, and build special purpose content creation tools for large-scale photo-realistic visual effects production.
• Work with engineers across all ILM's studios, splitting time between long-term software development projects and day-to-day artist support, consultation, and problem-solving.
• Collaborate with commercial software vendors in developing and deploying the next generation of machine-learning-based tools.

Required skills and experience:

• Proficiency in C++ and Python on Linux.
• Knowledge of visual effects principles, potentially with a specialty such as modeling, animation, lighting, rendering, image processing, etc.
• Experience with machine learning techniques, processes, and toolsets.
• Working knowledge of standard data formats: OpenEXR, OpenVDB, Alembic, USD, etc.
• Enthusiasm for designing artist-friendly interfaces using GUI toolkits: Qt, PySide, QML, etc.
• Appreciation of software development principles: object-oriented design, test-driven development, source code management, build and release processes.
• Extensive experience developing in at least one of the listed niches.
• Experience leading and mentoring the team and others.
• BS and/or advanced degree in computer science or related field, or similar experience.
• Typically 10+ years or demonstrated experience with professional software development and/or VFX production.

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$137,300 to C$175,800 per year. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.