Senior Pipeline TD - Film 2D

framestore; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Framestore in London is seeking a Senior Pipeline Technical Director for Film 2D to build a resilient VFX pipeline, remove technical friction, and enable artists to deliver creatively. You’ll enhance production workflows across 2D, from Compositing to Roto, with Python tools and ML integrations.

You’ll work with a global pipeline team in London, Montreal, Melbourne and Mumbai, applying strong software engineering practice and production-focused mindset to deliver robust tools and scalable

Qualifications

• Significant experience in VFX pipeline development with a solid understanding of 2D production workflows.
• Expert Python development skills with focus on modern design patterns, clean code, and standard libraries.
• Strong experience building custom GUI applications and tools using PySide or PyQt.
• Deep experience with the Nuke API, programmatic control, and workflow automation.
• Practical experience deploying machine learning models directly into production pipelines.
• Solid understanding of open-source VFX frameworks such as OpenImageIO, OpenColorIO, FFmpeg, and OpenRV.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals in a Linux environment, including Git, code reviews, testing, and performance monitoring.
• Approachable communication skills and a user-centric mindset when building tools for artists.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain artist-friendly Python and PySide tools across our 2D workflows.
• Integrate practical machine learning solutions into our active pipeline to automate complex tasks and accelerate shot delivery.
• Collaborate closely with Compositing Supervisors, VFX Supervisors, and Heads of 2D to resolve workflow bottlenecks.
• Maintain and expand core software libraries, ensuring clean code, Git version control, and clear documentation.
• Support and enhance deep Nuke API integrations, custom gizmos, and media processing workflows.
• Offer technical guidance, share best practices, and mentor junior team members across our global department.

Skills

VFX pipeline development

Python development

GUI tool development

Nuke workflow automation

ML integration into pipelines

Linux software engineering

Collaboration and mentoring

User-centric tooling

Tools

PySide/PyQt

Nuke API

OpenImageIO

OpenColorIO

FFmpeg

OpenRV

Git

Docker

Deadline/Tractor

Job description

Location: London, UK (Hybrid or Fully Remote within the UK), unfortunately we cannot support VISA + relocation for this role.

The multi-Oscar-winning creative Film & Episodic Studio at Framestore has worked with some of the greatest storytellers in film today. Collaborating with directors and producers across the complete filmmaking process to help design, plan and create beautiful images, we focus on finding innovative creative solutions to support their vision and set new standards for visual effects in cinema.

Framestore combines talent and technology to bring life to everything we create. Driven by creativity and inspired by the future, we set out every day to reframe the possible.

About the role

This is a new role within our team. As a Senior Pipeline Technical Director for Film 2D, you'll play a central role in building a resilient, intelligent VFX pipeline that removes technical friction and keeps our artists focused on creative delivery. You'll focus on supporting and enhancing production workflows across our 2D division, covering Compositing, Paint & Roto, Editorial, and Review Tools.

From building robust Python tools to pioneering practical machine learning integrations (such as Switchlight, SAM3, and ComfyUI workflows), you'll help automate complex tasks and streamline shot delivery. Working closely with artist supervisors, heads of department, and our global pipeline team across London, Montreal, Melbourne, and Mumbai, you'll combine strong software engineering practices with a grounded, production-focused approach.

What you’ll do

• Develop, test, and maintain artist-friendly Python and PySide tools across our 2D workflows.

• Integrate practical machine learning solutions into our active pipeline to automate complex tasks and accelerate shot delivery.

• Collaborate closely with Compositing Supervisors, VFX Supervisors, and Heads of 2D to proactively identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks.

• Maintain and expand core software libraries, ensuring clean code, Git version control, and clear documentation.

• Support and enhance deep Nuke API integrations, custom gizmos, and media processing workflows.

• Offer technical guidance, share best practices, and mentor junior team members across our global department.

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in VFX pipeline development with a solid understanding of 2D production workflows.

• Expert Python development skills, with a focus on modern design patterns, clean code, and standard libraries.

• Strong experience building custom GUI applications and tools using PySide or PyQt.

• Deep experience with the Nuke API, programmatic control, and workflow automation.

• Practical experience deploying machine learning models directly into production pipelines.

• Solid understanding of open-source VFX frameworks such as OpenImageIO, OpenColorIO, FFmpeg, and OpenRV.

• Strong software engineering fundamentals in a Linux environment, including Git, code reviews, testing, and performance monitoring.

• Approachable communication skills and a user‑centric mindset when building tools for artists.

You might also have

• Hands-on experience with ComfyUI or Stable Diffusion for custom generative AI pipelines and node development.

• Containerisation experience (Docker or similar) for deploying scalable machine learning inference services.

• Experience with render farm queue managers such as Deadline or Tractor.

• Web development skills using FastAPI, React, or similar for building pipeline dashboards.

• Experience setting up CI/CD workflows in GitLab.

• Scripting experience with ShotGrid / Flow Production Tracking APIs and database handling (SQL/NoSQL).

• Experience guiding agentic AI workflows to design and construct scalable, well-architected solutions.

• Prior hands-on experience as a 2D Compositor.

Accessibility Statement

Our London studio is fully accessible, with step‑free entry, accessible toilets on all floors, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to supporting disabled colleagues and providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.