Head of Cinematography, Layout- Ink

Netflix; Sanger (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision plans

Retirement programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Netflix Inkubator seeks a Head of Cinematography, Layout to lead a GenAI‑native production pipeline for feature‑quality animated content. You will shape camera language, visual storytelling, and hybrid workflows across 2D/3D, partnering with Directors and tech teams to push creative boundaries.

You will mentor the layout team, ensuring projects meet creative direction, budgets, and tight timelines in a fast‑paced, artist‑led environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in film, TV or games
• 4+ years in a leadership role
• Samples/credits in layout/previs
• Knowledge of CG shot production and iterative processes
• Experience in 2D/3D integration for high‑quality visuals
• Familiarity with GenAI tools and traditional animation pipelines
• Ability to manage budgets and timelines
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Responsibilities

• Architect and define the show's camera language and visual style
• Direct staging and choreography to maximize storytelling and narrative flow
• Define, test, and refine traditional, GenAI, and hybrid workflows
• Forecast pipeline needs and mitigate bottlenecks
• Build workflows, templates, and scripts; document learnings
• Lead and mentor the layout team and ensure training on GenAI tools
• Provide upward feedback to leadership for scalability
• Collaborate across disciplines and deliver high-quality work on schedule

Skills

Leadership

Cinematography

Communication

Problem-solving

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Houdini

Nuke

Python

Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we partner with creators as they experiment with a range of cutting‑edge tools that bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling. Come join Inkubator to shape what’s next and explore the creative possibilities.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Head of Cinematography, Layout to join our pioneering team to create animated content using experimental GenAI‑native production pipelines, with the goal of producing feature‑quality content. This role oversees the cinematic vision and visual storytelling, collaborating closely with creative leadership to realize the Director’s vision. We seek a candidate with deep expertise in cinematography, storytelling, and filmmaking who is ready to build and iterate within a fast‑paced, creator‑and‑artist‑led environment and who thrives at the intersection of traditional artistry and emerging technology. This role requires technical curiosity to navigate, build, and support hybrid workflows—integrating traditional tools with emerging GenAI technologies to create feature‑quality content.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director(s) and creative leadership to architect, define, and execute the show’s camera language (lenses, positions, movement) and visual style (staging, composition).
• Direct the staging and choreography of characters and layout elements to maximize cinematic storytelling, ensuring visual clarity, emotional resonance, and narrative flow throughout.
• Proactively partner with Tech and Production teams to define, test, and refine traditional, GenAI, and hybrid workflows, bridging 2D and 3D integration for high‑quality visual aesthetics and pipeline efficiency.
• Partner with production leadership to forecast pipeline needs and mitigate bottlenecks before they impact delivery.
• Build and champion necessary workflows, templates, and scripts; actively document crew learnings and best practices to scale future capabilities.
• Foster and lead a high‑performance, exploratory team culture that thrives on collaboration and creative experimentation.
• Receive and incorporate feedback quickly to ensure consistency with creative direction, production guidelines, and sprint timelines.
• Provide upward, constructive feedback to leadership to improve scalability and creative excellence.
• Spearhead the mentorship and technical training of the layout team, ensuring all artists are proficient in navigating both traditional animation pipelines and new GenAI‑integrated tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years experience in film, TV or games industry
• Minimum 4 years experience in a leadership or supervisory role for film, TV or games
• Samples and/or credits demonstrating excellence in layout/previs
• Solid knowledge of Previs, Camera, and CG shot production and its iterative process
• Layout and previsualization production experience on feature films, shorts or series
• Advanced working knowledge of CG software tools such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini or Nuke
• Understanding of Python and/or MEL scripting a plus
• Understanding and knowledge of GenAI native tools a plus
• Experience in working and adhering to production budgets and timelines
• Strong and proven leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills
• Demonstrated and genuine interest in Generative AI imagery and video, with a proactive, hands‑on approach to exploring new GenAI tools to enhance visual storytelling capabilities
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to deliver high‑quality work on schedule in a fast‑moving environment
• Ability to take direction positively, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate clearly with creative, technical, and production partners
• A scrappy, builder’s mindset with high degree of independence, out‑of‑the‑box application, and initiative as production support and workflows evolve alongside the creative process. Demonstrated experience working in ambiguous environments where the core production pipeline is being built and rapidly iterated upon
• Comfortable taking big‑picture approaches while willing to build new workflows in a fluid, evolving production environment
• Ability to provide upward, constructive feedback to leadership for improved scalability.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $74.68 an hour and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.

Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family‑forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.