Staff Data Systems Engineer: Kafka, On-Prem Infra & Pipelines

Pixar Animation Studios; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 180,115 - 233,090; Full time

Job summary

Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join the Data Systems Engineering team. You will own the Kafka infrastructure and manage asset version control, while shaping a strategic vision for data services that support production and storytelling.

The role requires 12+ years on Linux, Kafka, scripting in Python or shell, and IaC with Ansible/Puppet/Terraform. You will collaborate across teams, mentor others, lead large projects, and participate in on‑call

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience implementing, maintaining and supporting mission‑critical services on Linux.
• Expertise in administering Kafka or other data streaming services.
• Scripting skills (in Python or shell) that make automation your go‑to.
• Excellent Linux systems engineering skills, including practical knowledge of configuration / infrastructure as code (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform, etc.).
• Experience and enthusiasm for collaboration and mentoring.
• Well‑honed problem‑solving skills, including a willingness to pitch in to resolve issues even if they’re not part of your domain.
• Ability to lead large projects to completion.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate highly technical concepts to a non‑technical audience.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a strategy to migrate our Kafka infrastructure back to on‑prem management, and own ongoing operations including maintenance, upgrades and support.
• Support filmmaking pipelines by helping manage our digital asset version control system, built on Perforce P4.
• Work with internal production and engineering teams, along with external vendors, to shape the strategic direction of Pixar’s data streaming offerings via resource planning, best practice recommendations and industry analysis.
• Collaborate with teammates to create a supportive environment focused on providing first‑rate service to the studio.
• Work with other Systems teams to coordinate on machine configuration, security protocols and patching policies.
• Troubleshoot challenging and complex issues in a Linux environment.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation for vital services.

Skills

Linux administration

Kafka/Streaming

Automation scripting

Infrastructure as code

Mentoring

Project leadership

Technical communication

Problem solving

Tools

Perforce P4

Ansible

Puppet

Terraform

Elasticsearch

Splunk

Oracle DB

Job description

Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join the Data Systems Engineering team. You will own the Kafka infrastructure and manage asset version control, while shaping a strategic vision for data services that support production and storytelling.

The role requires 12+ years on Linux, Kafka, scripting in Python or shell, and IaC with Ansible/Puppet/Terraform. You will collaborate across teams, mentor others, lead large projects, and participate in on‑call