Sr Software Engineer, Tools Applications

The Walt Disney Company; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio seeks a Sr Software Engineer to enhance their proprietary filmmaking software. You will work with artists and engineers to develop tools that streamline production processes. Ideal candidates have strong C++ skills and experience in animation or VFX environments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience with modern C++ and STL.
• Strong software engineering skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve software collaboratively within a team.
• Identify and resolve issues affecting production artists.

Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Tools

C++

Linux

Maya

Houdini

Qt

Job description

Sr Software Engineer, Tools Applications

Sr Software Engineer, Tools Applications

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID R-03925 Location Emeryville, California, United States Business Pixar Animation Studios Date posted May 12, 2025

Job Summary:

Pixar’s Software R&D department (Tools) is responsible for advancing the state of the art with our in-house movie production software, including the Academy Award-winning Presto Animation System. With several films in production concurrently, Pixar is an exciting and dynamic environment where adaptable and motivated individuals thrive! We’re looking for multiple talented software engineers to join our Tools Applications teams, which play a critical role in developing and maintaining the software and pipeline used by production artists to create our animated feature films. These teams support a wide range of production stages—from asset creation like set building, shading, and character rigging, to shot production tasks such as cinematography, animation, character simulation, FX, lighting, and rendering. As an engineer on one of these teams, you'll help shape the next generation of Pixar’s envelope-pushing tools and applications that power our filmmaking process.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Maintain and improve the software individually and collaboratively within a team of engineers
• Work directly with technical and non-technical artists to support their use of Pixar's proprietary filmmaking software
• Identify, triage, debug, and resolve time sensitive issues affecting production artists
• Partner with graphics research scientists to implement experimental technology and explore new and innovative ways to meet the software needs of our artists
• Work comfortably within a sophisticated, multi-layered technology pipeline

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience with and strong understanding of modern C++ and the STL with at least five years of professional experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent formal training
• Strong software engineering skills including familiarity with software design principles, performance optimization, and testing
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills with high attention to detail

Highly qualified candidates may have:

• Familiarity with the mathematics of computer graphics such as linear algebra as used to represent spatial transformations, and parametric curves and surfaces
• Familiarity with established graphics concepts such as subdivision, tessellation, mesh topology, and bounding hierarchies
• Experience with multithreaded and GPU programming
• Experience with professional 3D DCC applications (e.g., Maya, Houdini), USD, Qt, and Linux
• Experience working within VFX or animation production environments

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $160,565.00 to $207,790.00 per year. The actual offer will depend on internal equity, geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About Pixar Animation Studios:

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative, and production capabilities in computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films, including “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Inside Out,” and “Coco.” Its movies have won 35 Academy Awards and grossed over $13 billion worldwide.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company is a leading global entertainment enterprise with segments including Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From its beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s, Disney has grown into a worldwide entertainment leader, creating stories and experiences for audiences everywhere. With operations in over 40 countries, Disney employees and cast members work together to produce entertainment experiences that are universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Pixar Inc., part of Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. We foster a culture of inclusivity and innovation.

Disability Accommodation For Employment Applications

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