Software Engineer

Light Iron; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Equity incentive plan

Job summary

Light Iron is seeking a Software Engineer to build and maintain tools that support post-production workflows. Reporting to the Director of Product Engineering, you will work with fellow developers to design scalable, reliable solutions used by production and operations teams on active projects.

The role emphasizes Python-based microservices, MongoDB Atlas, Docker, and collaboration across departments to ensure seamless integration with production infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Technical B.S. or equivalent professional experience.
• 1+ years of software development experience.
• Understanding of microservices architecture and design patterns.
• Strong knowledge of Python.
• Hands-on experience with MongoDB Atlas and writing efficient queries.
• Experience with Docker and containerization.
• Proficiency with Git or similar version control systems.
• Comfortable using AI-assisted development tools in daily workflows.
• Cloud experience (AWS preferred) and infrastructure-as-code experience (Serverless Framework or Terraform) is a plus.
• Experience working in a post-production facility is a strong advantage.
• Experience with post-production APIs such as MASV, Aspera/Faspex, or FilmLight is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the software and workflow tools that keep post-production running smoothly.
• Develop features and services in Python within a microservices architecture, applying established design patterns.
• Design and write efficient queries and data models using MongoDB Atlas.
• Package and deploy services using Docker and the team’s established deployment practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues affecting production workflows, escalating to the Director of Product Engineering as needed.
• Collaborate with the software team to identify areas where software tools can improve workflow efficiency and implement solutions.
• Collaborate with other departments, including data operators, editors, artists, and producers, to ensure software solutions integrate smoothly with existing workflows.
• Work with the Engineering team to ensure software integrates effectively with production infrastructure, storage, and network systems.
• Work with Technical Operations to support the deployment and day-to-day use of software tools and to respond to issues raised by operators.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to team-wide best practices for software development.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for software tools and workflows.
• Use AI-assisted development tools responsibly and in line with the company’s content security and data handling requirements.
• Explore new technologies and industry trends, and bring the best ideas back to the team.

Skills

Python

Microservices

Post-production workflow understanding

Communication & collaboration

AI-assisted development tools

Education

Technical B.S. or equivalent

Tools

MongoDB Atlas

Docker

Git

AWS

Serverless Framework

Terraform

MASV/Aspera/FilmLight APIs

Job description

Light Iron is a full-service post-production facility specializing in dailies, color grading, finishing, and mastering for film, television, and streaming projects. The team collaborates closely with storytellers and studios to deliver high-quality visual experiences powered by modern workflows and advanced technology. As an employee-owned company, Light Iron fosters a culture of shared responsibility, creative problem-solving, and long-term commitment to excellence. The organization is known for innovating at the intersection of artistry and technology, providing an environment where technical experts can directly impact the future of post-production. Professionals joining Light Iron can expect a dynamic, collaborative setting that values both technical skill and creative insight.

Job Scope:

The Software Engineer is responsible for building, improving, and maintaining the software tools that support Light Iron’s post-production workflows, the software that helps filmmakers and showrunners bring their stories to life. Reporting to the Director of Product Engineering, this role works alongside fellow developers to design and build workflow solutions that are scalable, reliable, and genuinely useful to the creative and operations teams who depend on them, and contributes to the development of the company’s production technology and products.

The Software Engineer works closely with the Engineering team to ensure software integrates with the facility’s production infrastructure, storage, and network systems, and with Technical Operations to support the rollout, day-to-day use, and troubleshooting of software tools in active productions. The Director of Product Engineering sets technical direction, architecture, and priorities; the Software Engineer implements, tests, documents, and maintains features within that direction and escalates architectural decisions to the Director of Product Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain the software and workflow tools that keep post-production running smoothly
• Develop features and services in Python within a microservices architecture, applying established design patterns
• Design and write efficient queries and data models using MongoDB Atlas
• Package and deploy services using Docker and the team’s established deployment practices
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues affecting production workflows, escalating to the Director of Product Engineering as needed
• Collaborate with the software team to identify areas where software tools can improve workflow efficiency and implement solutions
• Collaborate with other departments, including data operators, editors, artists, and producers, to ensure software solutions integrate smoothly with existing workflows
• Work with the Engineering team to ensure software integrates effectively with production infrastructure, storage, and network systems
• Work with Technical Operations to support the deployment and day-to-day use of software tools and to respond to issues raised by operators
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to team-wide best practices for software development
• Create and maintain technical documentation for software tools and workflows
• Use AI-assisted development tools responsibly and in line with the company’s content security and data handling requirements
• Explore new technologies and industry trends, and bring the best ideas back to the team

Recommended Skills & Personal Attributes:

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams
• A passion for learning and growing as an engineer
• Curiosity about new technologies and how they can improve creative workflows
• Attention to detail and commitment to writing clean, maintainable code
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment
• Interest in building tools that support filmmakers and creative production teams

Required Experience & Expectations:

• Technical B.S. or equivalent professional experience
• 1+ years of experience in software development
• Understanding of microservices architecture and design patterns
• Strong knowledge of Python
• Hands‑on experience with MongoDB Atlas and writing efficient queries
• Experience with Docker and containerization
• Proficiency with Git or similar version control systems
• Comfortable using AI‑assisted development tools in daily workflows
• Cloud experience (AWS preferred) and infrastructure-as-code experience (Serverless Framework or Terraform) is a plus
• Experience working in a post‑production facility is a strong advantage
• Experience with post‑production APIs such as MASV, Aspera/Faspex, or FilmLight is beneficial

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This job operates in a professional office environment.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands and reach with hands and arms. The employee may also be required to lift product or equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. For hybrid or remote arrangements, the employee must maintain a secure, private workspace and follow the company’s content security policies, including TPN-aligned requirements for remote access and the handling of client media.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a non-exempt, hourly position. The position works standard business hours but may require occasional evening or weekend work to support production deadlines, deployments, or critical software issues. All hours worked must be accurately recorded, and overtime must be approved in advance by the Director of Product Engineering. Meal and rest breaks are provided in accordance with applicable law. On-call time may be compensable under the company’s on-call pay policy.

Travel:

Hybrid employees are required to travel to the Los Angeles office for onboarding, meetings, or project needs. Occasional project based travel may be required.

The pay range for this position is $43.27 to $48.00 per hour. Actual pay within this range is based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications. This position is eligible for Light Iron’s benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, and paid time off, details of which are provided separately. As an employee-owned company, Light Iron offers eligible employees the opportunity to participate in its equity incentive plan, subject to plan terms and approval.