Software Engineer - VFX Pipeline & On-Set Support

Wētā FX Engineering Department is seeking a versatile and enthusiastic Engineer to help support a set of client artists working on pre-production deliveries for a major project. This pre-production work includes supporting work on assets, layouts, environments, motion and animation, as well as on-set workflows and virtual production operations.

If you're passionate about collaborating with and helping users create visually stunning films, we want to talk to you!

This opportunity is to join Wētā FX’s client-facing support team for our customer software and on-set virtual production tools. You will be charged with maintaining Wētā’s tools and technology used to facilitate the virtual filmmaking process. Your role will involve triaging issues, identifying bugs and bottlenecks, and collaborating with on-set artists to find pragmatic solutions to high-priority problems. This role operates in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and you are expected to handle high-pressure situations with composure and confidence. Additionally, it’s important to be aware that this position may require working flexible hours or on weekends to meet the demands of production.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide front-line technical support for artists authoring content for virtual production
• Troubleshoot software, debug issues and liaise with other development teams
• Assist in testing, deployment, and training of new software and workflows
• Triage issues from engineering and pipeline software support queues
• Proactively identify and find resolution to bugs and performance bottlenecks

What we’re looking for:

• Python debugging and profiling experience (additionally, Linux experience is a strong preference)
  
• Customer oriented, demonstrating insight into user’s challenges and the ability to provide support to ensure a positive user experience
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Strong sense of prioritization and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Can work independently and collaborate with technical and artistic teams across the facility

You might also have:

• Ability to convey complex topics simply and cater to the appropriate audience (e.g. discussing something with a C++ engineer vs TD vs Animator)
• Familiarity with VFX production pipelines and common DCC apps (Maya, Motionbuilder, etc)
• Hands-on experience with debugging tools such as gdb, vtune, heaptrack

At Wētā FX we celebrate our diversity and believe in creating an environment where all our crew feel welcomed, respected, supported and appreciated. We define ourselves by the quality of our work, and we’re striving to build a workplace experience that’s second to none. Here at Wētā FX we value open minds and encourage our crew to be themselves.

We aim to provide a discrimination-free experience, beginning from the moment you apply for a role with us. If there is anything we can do to make the recruitment process easier, please let us know at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz.

If this sounds like you, apply today!

Location: Wellington, NZ