At Stellar, we build an environment where people actually want to work. We face production’s inevitable ups and downs as a supportive, truly connected team, prioritizing open communication over anyone working in isolation. We value honesty, creativity, and looking out for one another.
Through Stellar Code Lab (our software innovation startup incubated inside Stellar Creative Lab), we take the battle-tested tools that powered hits for Marvel, Amazon, and Netflix and turn them into commercial-grade solutions for the entire industry. Leading the charge with innovations like Slingshot AI (bridging GenAI with production pipelines), we build the future of animation tech.
The Opportunity:
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, highly capable IT Manager to own, architect, and maintain the entire technology ecosystem across production and software divisions of Stellar..
As a nimble startup, our IT team is lean, focused, and high-impact. Working alongside an IT Systems Administrator, you will lead departmental strategy, manage tech budgets, and drive vendor relationships while remaining deeply hands-on in the terminal, managing networks, writing automation code, and maintaining our physical data centers.
If you are a seasoned IT leader or Senior Systems Architect looking to shape the studio’s technology landscape, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where leadership means getting things done, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:
Department Leadership & Strategy:
- Own the IT Function: Define and execute the studio’s overarching technology roadmap, infrastructure budgets, and security posture to support scaling studio operations and commercial software delivery.
- Vendor & Asset Management: Manage software licensing contracts, hardware procurement, vendor relationships, and IT asset inventories.
- Client Security Compliance: Act as the primary technical liaison for TPN and third-party security audits, implementing necessary infrastructure enhancements to meet strict industry protection standards.
- Team Supervision: Manage, mentor, and task-manage your IT team, establishing efficient workflows, ticketing priorities, and clear operational documentation
Infrastructure Engineering & Automation:
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Architect and maintain automated deployment pipelines across Rocky9 Linux and Windows Server environments using Puppet, Ansible, and Python.
- High-Performance Storage & Cloud: Manage high-throughput storage systems (NAS, Linux filers) and hybrid cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP) for backups, bursting, and containerized workloads (Docker).
- Networking & Security: Configure and maintain Layer 1 to 3 network architecture (Arista, Fortinet, VLANs, TCP/IP, DNS/DHCP) to support render farms and high-volume asset transfer without bottlenecking artists.
Hands-On Operations & Escalation:
- Onboarding & Support: Manage hardware distribution and the creation & maintenance of user accounts for all incoming studio staff.
- Senior Escalation: Serve as the final technical escalation point for complex infrastructure, network, and artist workstation issues via Jira Service Management.
- Physical Infrastructure: Roll up your sleeves for hands-on data center work, including racking servers, cable management, and hardware maintenance.
- Software Integration: Handle software installation requests, updates, and infrastructure support for 2D/3D animation pipelines and AI development tools. Partner closely with internal pipeline developers and software engineers for upgrades and tickets
Requirements:
Must Haves & Nice to Haves:
- 5+ years of progressive experience in Systems Engineering, Senior IT Administration, or IT Leadership (ideally within Animation, VFX, Gaming, or High-Performance Computing startups).
- Proven Leadership Ability: Prior experience managing direct reports, IT projects, or small technical teams, with the communication skills to translate technical needs into executive-level decisions.
- Dual OS Expertise: Strong, practical administration skills across both Linux (Rocky9) and Windows OS/Active Directory.
- Automation & Scripting: Proficient in Python scripting and configuration management tools (Puppet or Ansible).
- Networking & Virtualization: Practical working knowledge of Layer 1 to 3 networking, firewalls (Fortinet/Arista), VMware, and Docker.
Startup Mindset & Physical Requirements
- Resourceful & Adaptable: Thrives in a lean environment where priorities can shift quickly; willing to handle high-level strategic planning and day-to-day fixes in the same afternoon.
- Physical & Logistics: Ability to lift and rack server nodes (up to 50 lbs) in our data center. Must hold a valid Driver’s License and have reliable transportation for periodic visits to our non-transit-accessible co-location facility.
- Legal Eligibility: Legally entitled to work in Canada, B.C.
Why Join Stellar?
- Hybrid Work: Flexible schedule with 2 to 3 days per week in our Vancouver office.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
- High Ownership: Complete autonomy to shape the IT architecture powering award-winning creative projects and industry-changing software tools.
- Culture: A supportive, collaborative, and ego-free environment where technical expertise fuels creative magic.
- Compensation: The salary range for this position is between $100,000 and $120,000 CAD, based on your level of experience.
