Sr Software Engineer, Tools Applications

Pixar’s Software R&D department (Tools) is responsible for advancing the state of the art with our in-house movie production software, including the Academy Award®-winning Presto Animation System. With several films in production concurrently, Pixar is an exciting and dynamic environment where adaptable and motivated individuals thrive!
We’re looking for multiple talented software engineers to join our Tools Applications teams, which play a critical role in developing and maintaining the software and pipeline used by production artists to create our animated feature films. These teams support a wide range of production stages—from asset creation like set building, shading, and character rigging, to shot production tasks such as cinematography, animation, character simulation, FX, lighting, and rendering. As an engineer on one of these teams, you'll help shape the next generation of Pixar’s envelope-pushing tools and applications that power our filmmaking process.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and improve the software individually and collaboratively within a team of engineers

• Work directly with technical and non-technical artists to support their use of Pixar's proprietary filmmaking software

• Identify, triage, debug, and resolve time sensitive issues affecting production artists

• Partner with graphics research scientists to implement experimental technology and explore new and innovative ways to meet the software needs of our artists

• Work comfortably within a sophisticated, multi-layered technology pipeline

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience with and strong understanding of modern C++ and the STL with at least five years of professional experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent formal training

• Strong software engineering skills including familiarity with software design principles, performance optimization, and testing

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills with high attention to detail

Highly qualified candidates may have:

• Familiarity with the mathematics of computer graphics such as linear algebra as used to represent spatial transformations, and parametric curves and surfaces

• Familiarity with established graphics concepts such as subdivision, tessellation, mesh topology, and bounding hierarchies

• Experience with multithreaded and GPU programming

• Experience with professional 3D DCC applications (e.g., Maya, Houdini), USD, Qt, and Linux

• Experience working within VFX or animation production environments

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $160,565.00 to $207,790.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Pixar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We know our storytelling is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Pixar participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. | Follow us on X @PixarRecruiting.