Principal Software Engineer (Platform)

Eyeline; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 187,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Eyeline is a global creative studio pushing the boundaries of storytelling through VFX, studios, and labs. We seek a Principal Software Engineer (Platform) to architect and build scalable USD/Houdini pipelines, mentor engineers, and drive innovative techniques including Generative AI in our production workflows.

You will translate high-level goals into actionable software designs, collaborate with stakeholders, and lead critical infrastructure initiatives that empower developers to deliver

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in software engineering.
• 5+ years experience in engineering leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for staying knowledgeable of the latest trends in VFX and computer graphics.
• Ability to design intuitive, artist-friendly workflows without sacrificing functionality.
• Depth and breadth of understanding of engineering principles, practices, and language (DRY, OOP, UML, TDD).
• Experience with agentic systems a plus.
• Familiarity with virtual production and volume capture a plus.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and build reusable systems and components in the domain of USD and Houdini pipelines, enabling developers to build production facing workflows.
• Gather requirements from stakeholders and help to prioritize them.
• Interpret high-level architectural goals into technical documents and effective operational components.
• Ensure that projects align with stakeholder goals, industry best practices, and scalability requirements.
• Collaborate with vendors and open source communities to ensure that critical issues are solved upstream where possible.
• Partner with software development leadership and pipeline team to identify and schedule tasks.
• Lead the implementation of solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes.
• Mentor and upskill engineers through feedback, code review, and training sessions.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, by investigating new approaches in ML and Generative AI. Collaborate with Pipeline leadership to integrate these into our short- and long-term roadmap.

Skills

10+ years software engineering

Engineering leadership

Strong communication skills

Artist-friendly workflows

VFX pipeline knowledge

DRY, OOP, UML, TDD proficiency

Generative AI familiarity

Agentic systems experience

Virtual production / volume capture

Job description

Eyeline is a global team of risk takers, innovators and perfectionists who achieve creative visions and have fun doing it. A dynamic workforce nestled within the industry’s most intriguing cities, united by a drive to push the boundaries of storytelling. Learn more.

The Principal Software Engineer (Platform) provides the team with deep technical insight into the details of building modern production pipelines using USD and Houdini as a backbone. They leverage their extensive production experience and leadership skills to design and help build systems, apis and components for use by other developers.

The ideal candidate understands how to design and/or utilize abstract and interoperable pipeline frameworks to achieve their goals. Additionally they participate in design, architecture, prototyping and technical leadership for creation and integration of innovative techniques (particularly in the area of Generative AI) into the pipeline design.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and build reusable systems and components in the domain of USD and Houdini pipelines, enabling developers to build production facing workflows
• Gather requirements from stakeholders and help to prioritize them
• Interpret high-level architectural goals into technical documents and effective operational components
• Ensure that projects align with stakeholder goals, industry best practices, and scalability requirements
• Collaborate with vendors and open source communities to ensure that critical issues are solved upstream where possible
• Partner with software development leadership and pipeline team to identify and schedule tasks
• Lead the implementation of solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes
• Mentor and upskill engineers through feedback, code review, and training sessions
• Identify opportunities for innovation, by investigating new approaches in ML and Generative AI. Collaborate with Pipeline leadership to integrate these into our short- and long-term roadmap.

Qualifications

• Passion for staying knowledgeable of the latest trends in VFX and computer graphics
• Firm grasp of all departments and components that comprise a VFX pipeline
• 10+ years experience in software engineering
• 5+ years experience in engineering leadership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated talent for designing intuitive, artist-friendly workflows without sacrificing functionality
• Depth and breadth of understanding of engineering principles, practices, and language. Acronyms such as DRY, OOP, UML, and TDD should be familiar.
• Experience with agentic systems a plus
• Familiarity with virtual production and volume capture a plus $187,000 - $250,000 CAD a year This salary range is specific to applicants applying to our position in Vancouver, Canada. To determine your base salary, we consider your qualifications, skills, and experience. These considerations can cause your compensation to vary outside of this range and will also be dependent on your location.

About Us

Eyeline is a global creative studio partnering with storytellers to turn their ambitions into stunning reality. By blending the time-honored craft of filmmaking with breakthrough technologies, we unlock bold, cinematic visions at scale. Our three pillars - VFX, Studios and Labs - form the creative spine of Eyeline, guiding how we think, work, and show up in every frame.

At Eyeline, we believe technology serves artistry and our people are the soul behind everything we do, deepening creative connection, rather than replacing it. We build worlds with exceptional craft and precision, working hand in hand with our creative partners from concept to final pixel.

Netflix Investment- Eyeline

With the support of Netflix’s investment in our pipeline, infrastructure, and workforce, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in visual effects and virtual production technology. In addition to our work with Netflix, we continue to partner with a wide range of long-standing and new clients worldwide.

Come as you are

We are looking for those seeking to take risks with us, those driven by passion for their craft. To us, these are key ingredients that we look for in our team. We are committed to ensuring fair and equal treatment of your application. When you apply for a role with us, you will receive consideration based solely on your qualifications.