Tech Lead - Pipeline Development

BOT VFX; Tamil Nadu; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

BOT VFX in Chennai, India, is hiring a Tech Lead – Pipeline Development for a full-time permanent role to oversee architecture, delivery workflows, and standardization across the studio's pipeline group.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in software engineering, strong Python/C++ skills, Qt/PySide UI experience, and hands-on leadership mentoring developers while ensuring stability during high-pressure productions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software development experience with leadership.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ with strong design patterns.
• Experience building desktop apps using Qt/PySide and UI tools.

Responsibilities

• Translate roadmaps into detailed technical specs, modules, and tasks.
• Write clean Python/C++ code for core pipeline modules and tools.
• Enforce CI/CD practices, code reviews, and unit tests.
• Mentor Pipeline Developers and TDs to improve quality.
• Create user interfaces with PySide/Qt for end users.
• Integrate open-source tools and DCC APIs into production workflows

Skills

Python

C++

Qt / PySide

Git

CI/CD

REST APIs

Database design

Leadership / mentoring

Software architecture

Tools

Qt / PySide

CI/CD tooling

REST API frameworks

Job description

BOT VFX, a visual effects services company with global clients, is looking for a Tech Lead – Pipeline Development as a full-time permanent role. The position is preferably based out of Chennai, India.

The Tech Lead – Pipeline Development oversees the technical execution, software architecture, continuous delivery practices, and technical standards across the studio's pipeline engineering group. Reporting directly to the Head of Pipeline , the role ensures that core technical frameworks, internal APIs, and artist-facing tools are designed and configured in a manner that efficiently and predictably enables every part of the delivery workflow.

Whether your background is in Visual Effects, Feature Animation, High-Throughput Media Processing, Enterprise Systems, or Distributed Data Software, the ideal candidate possesses a deep technical background in software engineering coupled with strong system-design and developer-mentorship skills. They should have the leadership ability to translate strategic pipeline vision into modular, high-quality code and maintain operational stability across high-pressure show deliveries.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITY

• Translate architectural roadmaps and high-level designs defined by the Head of Pipeline into detailed technical specifications, modular code, and sprint tasks.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented Python and/or C++ code for core pipeline modules, internal APIs, and tool integrations.
• Enforce established software engineering practices within the development team, including peer code reviews, continuous integration (CI/CD) practices, and unit testing.
• Provide day-to-day tasking, code guidance, and hands‑on technical mentorship to Pipeline Developers and Pipeline TDs to elevate team‑wide code quality.
• Implement user‑friendly graphical interfaces (via PySide/Qt) that translate complex backend logic into intuitive tools for end users.
• Integrate designated open‑source technologies (e.g., AYON/OpenPype, USD) and commercial DCC APIs (Nuke, Maya, Houdini) into the production workflow.
• Act as the primary technical contact for developer‑level bug fixing and deep code‑level troubleshooting during active production cycles.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• At least 8+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 2–3 years in a technical lead, module lead, or senior software engineering role guiding developers.
• Advanced proficiency in Python (Python 3) and/or C++ , with a strong command of object‑oriented design and software design patterns.
• Hands‑on experience building desktop graphical applications using Qt / PySide or equivalent UI frameworks.
• Strong practical experience with Git , automated testing, continuous integration (CI/CD) workflows, REST APIs, and database structures.
• Strong technical background in at least one of the following areas:
  • Visual Effects (VFX) or Feature Animation pipeline engineering
  • 3D Graphics, Rendering, Simulation, or Image/Video Processing software development
  • Enterprise Software Engineering, High‑Throughput Media Processing, or Distributed Systems Architecture
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, strong PR review habits, and the ability to mentor developers on technical implementation details.

PREFERRED SKILLS (Learnable on the Job)

• Practical experience working with core VFX Digital Content Creation (DCC) APIs (e.g., Nuke, Maya, Houdini).
• Knowledge of standard 3D data exchange formats and scene description frameworks (e.g., Universal Scene Description / USD, Alembic).
• Experience with open‑source pipeline architectures (e.g., AYON/OpenPype) or production management databases (ShotGrid/Shotgun, Ftrack).
• Proficiency in Linux development environments and shell scripting.