Senior ML Software Developer, ML Technology

DNEG; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

An international VFX studio is seeking a Senior ML Software Developer to enhance machine learning capabilities across its projects. You will create Python applications and tools, collaborating with global teams to improve VFX and animation workflows. The ideal candidate has strong programming skills and experience in systems architecture. The position offers a dynamic environment that values diversity and innovation in technology.

Qualifications

• Experience as an architect for Python applications.
• Solid grasp of systems architecture and software engineering fundamentals.
• Experience building and troubleshooting packages (C++11–17).

Responsibilities

• Deploy ML solutions and integrate AI tooling within the VFX pipeline.
• Design and build intuitive web front-end UIs.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders to implement data pipelines.

Skills

Architectural experience with Python applications

Strong programming skills (Python, Bash)

Linux expertise

Ability to articulate complex technology

Confidence in navigating ambiguity

Education

Relevant qualifications (CS/CE degree; RHCSA/RHCE)

Tools

Git and issue tracking systems (Jira)

FastAPI/Flask

CMake and packaging tools

Job description

Senior ML Software Developer, ML Technology (Brahma DDU)

The ML Technology department at Brahma DDU explores, tests, and deploys machine-learning and automation solutions to support the technology and infrastructure that powers DNEG’s multi-site, global VFX and Feature Animation studio. With thousands of artists producing tens of thousands of shots across film, TV, and immersive experiences, we face complex scaling and workflow challenges.

As a Senior Software Developer, you will act as an architect building Python applications, high-quality tools, services, and web front-end UIs that enable award-winning VFX and feature animation work.

You should apply if:

• You enjoy building, packaging, and configuring complex software systems.
• You enjoy acting as a team player – you know how to delegate and mentor others.
• You are fluent across modern software development and ML tooling and like collaborating with engineers, researchers, and artists.
• You care about efficiency, reliability, and clean engineering.

Responsibilities

• Deploy ML solutions and integrate AI tooling within the VFX pipeline with minimal burden on artists and production.
• Design and build web front-end UIs (dashboards, curation tools, job control, review) that make ML/automation workflows intuitive and accessible.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders and architects to implement cost-effective data and MLOps pipelines; document methodologies.
• Build, package, and configure complex software systems across Linux.
• Improve efficiency, stability, and observability through profiling, metrics, and tracing.
• Validate work with methodical testing (unit/integration/e2e).
• Write clear technical documentation and workflow guides for artists and developers.
• Manage escalated troubleshooting and debugging for ML-driven tools and services.
• Work collaboratively under tight deadlines; mentor developers, assign tasks where appropriate, and report to the Head of ML Technology.

Engineering quality and coding standards

• Enforce standards via CI: formatting (black/clang-format), linting (ruff/eslint, clang-tidy), typing (Python type hints, TypeScript), and test coverage gates.
• Require code reviews for all merges; maintain modular, testable designs with clear separation of concerns and DCC-agnostic cores where applicable.
• Documented APIs (OpenAPI/Protobuf), versioned schemas, and backward-compatible changes.
• Secure-by-default practices (authn/z, secrets management), performance budgets, and telemetry by design.

Primary technologies (coding language setup)

• Languages: Python 3.x (tooling and ML integration), C++17 (performance-critical components), TypeScript/JavaScript (web UIs).
• Web front-end: React (or Vue), modern build tooling, REST/GraphQL clients.
• Services: FastAPI/Flask, gRPC/HTTP; containerized on Linux.
• Build/packaging: CMake; setuptools/pip/poetry; RPM/deb where appropriate.
• VCS/CI: Git; GitHub/GitLab CI or Jenkins.

Skills & Requirements

Must have

• Experience as an architect for Python applications
• Strong programming and shell-scripting skills (Python; Bash).
• Experience building and troubleshooting non-trivial packages (C++11–17, CMake, autotools, setuptools/pip/poetry, RPM).
• Linux expertise and command-line proficiency.
• Solid grasp of systems architecture and software engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to articulate complex technology to non-experts and collaborate openly.
• Confidence in navigating ambiguity and providing pragmatic solutions.
• Proactive mindset and comfort with multiple priorities.
• Logical, methodical approach to problem solving.

Nice to have

• Experience as Lead on at least one project
• Significant experience with a major package/ports system.
• Experience monitoring, collecting, and analyzing diagnostics to drive resilience.
• Practical experience with Git and issue tracking systems (Jira).
• Familiarity with ops/CI/CD tooling (Elastic Stack, Graphite/Grafana/StatsD, Sensu, Jenkins/GitHub Actions).
• Understanding of sysadmin responsibilities (networking, filesystems, environment management).
• Relevant qualifications (CS/CE degree; RHCSA/RHCE, etc.).
• Demonstrable open-source contributions.

This role is crucial to implementing seamless ML capabilities across the DNEG/Brahma group, directly improving the tools that power projects from blockbuster features to premium television.

ADG is committed to nurturing a diverse and exciting workplace. Our teams have a variety of backgrounds and originate from a number of different countries, working across the globe at the forefront of technology in the industry.