Systems Engineer

Blackkitestudios; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

BLACK KITE is a leading independent creative studio, building a sustainable, talent‑centred environment. We are seeking an Engineer to join our Technology team, responsible for core studio systems and infrastructure, collaborating with a small, agile group to support our current and next‑generation setup.

You will deploy, manage and optimize high-performance workstations, storage, networks, and cloud resources, while mentoring teammates and maintaining policy and security standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in Technology or Engineering within the VFX / Post Production environment.
• Good working knowledge of VFX or Post-Production pipelines, systems, and tools, such as Nuke, Flame, Baselight, Houdini, RV, Maya, and Deadline.
• Good understanding of Networking principles.
• Strong Linux knowledge as well as knowledge of Windows and MacOS.
• Experience deploying and managing production-related services such as database, render farm queues, configuration management systems, and license servers.
• Exposure to Terraform, ansible, puppet.
• Tenacious problem solver
• Proactive and positive approach to work.
• Understand deadline driven client-facing environment.
• Interested in new technology and creative software tools
• Excellent communicator, both oral and written

Responsibilities

• Deploy, manage and support high-performance workstations and servers, large storage systems, complex network infrastructures, and services.
• Provide support for all desktop & technology related queries and issues.
• Deploy and test standard artist workstation/render builds (PXE, kickstart, ansible)
• Deploy resources in public clouds as and when required (Sherpa, AWS, Google, Azure)
• Assist Technical Operations with Storage and Archive requirements
• Maintain Production laptops
• Assist with Production Cloud Services such as Microsoft Office
• Maintain AD services
• Maintain the Asset Management database
• Document all changes and procedures in
• Develop and maintain digital and physical technology security policies and systems.
• Support the technology purchasing process.
• Co-ordinate and maintain annual software license agreements and support contracts.
• Contribute to and support our cloud computing strategy.
• Develop our core services allowing for improved efficiency in licencing, software deployment, security, machine identification and user login.
• Keep up on the latest technical innovations.
• Liaise with outside technical service providers and vendors.
• Mentor other members of the Technology team.
• Liaise with outside technical service providers and vendors.

Skills

VFX / Post Production tech

Linux

Networking

Cloud technologies

Terraform / Ansible

Scripting / automation

Communication

Customer service mindset

Tools

Nuke

Flame

Baselight

Houdini

RV

Maya

Deadline

Terraform

Ansible

Puppet

AWS

Google Cloud

Azure

Job description

We are BLACK KITE we are the FUTURE

Black Kite is an independent creative studio offering world class visual effects and design. We are a talent‑first technology inspired studio.

Our community is home to a collective of world‑class talent. A group of artists, creators designers, producers and technologists that have come together to make exceptional artistic visual content.

What is IMPORTANT to US

We are going to try new things and break some rules. Our ethos is to build a creative community which has our people and our culture at its heart. We are a community born of the belief that great work should be accessible to all who seek it.

We believe in a community where people can develop and succeed, we believe in creating a sustainable studio model where we look after our people and inspire them to create the extraordinary.

We believe in taking good care of the environment. We are people who insist on living and working well. We don't just say it, we’re doing it!

The BLACK KITE CULTURE

We are creating a team of world‑class talent, working with the best creative clients and building an exciting future for everyone who is part of the Black Kite adventure. We are a studio which has our people and our culture at its heart.

We are proud of our people, our work and our space. We are committed to developing a sustainable creative community. We want to create an environment where trying new things is not only possible, but exciting and different.

Our purpose is to make brilliant creative work that engages audiences and lives long in the memory. We love what we do, so we want to have fun while we’re doing it.

The ENGINEER ROLE at BLACK KITE

As an Engineer at Black Kite Studios, you will be a key part of our Technology team. You will be responsible for implementing and maintaining core studio wide systems and infrastructure that contribute to the smooth running of all Technology at Black Kite Studios. You will be part of a small, agile team responsible for defining, implementing and supporting our current and next‑generation infrastructure.

Responsibilities:

• Deploy, manage and support high-performance workstations and servers, large storage systems, complex network infrastructures, and services.
• Provide support for all desktop & technology related queries and issues.
• Deploy and test standard artist workstation/render builds (PXE, kickstart, ansible)
• Deploy resources in public clouds as and when required (Sherpa, AWS, Google, Azure)
• Assist Technical Operations with Storage and Archive requirements
• Maintain Production laptops
• Assist with Production Cloud Services such as Microsoft Office
• Maintain AD services
• Maintain the Asset Management database
• Document all changes and procedures in
• Develop and maintain digital and physical technology security policies and systems.
• Support the technology purchasing process.
• Co-ordinate and maintain annual software license agreements and support contracts.
• Contribute to and support our cloud computing strategy.
• Develop our core services allowing for improved efficiency in licencing, software deployment, security, machine identification and user login.
• Keep up on the latest technical innovations.
• Liaise with outside technical service providers and vendors.
• Mentor other members of the Technology team.
• Liaise with outside technical service providers and vendors.

Why YOU?

• You have previous experience working within Technology or Engineering within the VFX / Post Production environment.
• You have good working knowledge of VFX or Post-Production pipelines, systems, and tools, such as Nuke, Flame, Baselight, Houdini, RV, Maya, and Deadline.
• You have a good understanding of Networking principles.
• You have strong Linux knowledge as well as knowledge of Window and MacOS.
• You have experience deploying and managing production-related services such as database, render farm queues, configuration management systems, and license servers.
• You have had some exposure to modern cloud technologies and automation such as Terraform, ansible, puppet
• You are a tenacious problem solver
• You are proactive and have a can-do, positive approach to your work.
• You understand what it means to work in a deadline driven, client-facing environment.
• You are interested in new technology and creative software tools
• You are an excellent communicator, both orally and in writing
• You have a ‘customer services’ mindset

Why US?

We want you to grow with us and help us create a sustainable future for everyone who is part of the Black Kite family.

We believe in talent, creativity and innovation. We believe that Creativity is the differentiator, it sits at the very heart of everything we do and the reason why Black Kite was born.

We back ourselves to grow and be the best, to always improve, but never lose sight of our values and principles. We care about our people.

At Black kite we look out for each other and believe in doing things the right way. We place importance on a code of shared ethics and treating people fairly and with respect.

We are committed to supporting you and your ongoing career development. We will work closely with you to establish your personal progression plan. You are never on your own.

We believe in the power of team work and togetherness to achieve the extraordinary – Once a Kite always a Kite. We are big on ambition. We are excited about the future.

Black Kite Studios are committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all aspects of recruitment and employment regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, gender identity or disability (whether registered as disabled or not). If you would like to know more on how we approach equal opportunities, please let us know.