Job Summary:
The Performance TD is responsible for supporting creative and visual objectives through pipeline troubleshooting, user support, technical direction, and tool development. The Performance TD is considered a technical expert and exhibits expert technical understanding of processes, technology, and tools within Rough Layout, Animation, and Final Layout. The Performance TD contributes technical expertise to the design and development of artist workflows and tools across these areas. The Performance TD often advises Lead TD’s and Supervising TDs on future technical direction of key projects, and they work closely with their craft group and R&D teams to enable high-quality technical outcomes and a standardized approach.
What You’ll Do:
Technical Responsibilities:
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 Performance department.
Lead the direction, evolution & maintenance of the technology within the Performance Department.
Design, develop, and write well-maintainable and consistently high-quality code.
Track and resolve the most complex technical issues within Performance in partnership with Lead TDs, Supervising TDs & R&D.
Work closely with other TD’s within Performance to drive the technical success of key development initiatives.
Ensure that technology, tools, and procedures within the Performance 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 Rough Layout, Animation, and Final Layout 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 maximize 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.
Bidding & Scheduling Responsibilities:
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 Performance 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.
Talent & Performance Management Responsibilities:
Work with Supervising TD for Performance to provide technical guidance to Performance 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 Performance 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.
Communication Collaboration & Relationship Development Responsibilities:
Strong communication skills for technical ideas, project status, problems, requirements, rollout plans, etc.
Able to communicate with Program Managers to contribute to the 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.).
Good written communication skills for specs, tickets, status updates, 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 Performance 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 Performance 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.
This role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office), and has an expected end date of December 2026.
At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $120,000 - $180,000CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have stock options.
NAS benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off. See more detail about our benefits here.
