Staff Systems Engineer, Data Streaming

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 is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Data Systems Engineering (DSE) team! The DSE team builds, maintains, and supports vital studio systems, including data streaming services, asset version control systems and critical databases.

Your focus will be supporting our Kafka infrastructure as well as partnering with the team to administer our asset version control system. You will also work to define and communicate a strategic vision for the team’s data systems that supports studio goals.

By joining our team, you’ll contribute meaningfully to the production process, partnering with studio stakeholders to ensure our data services support both technical innovation and creative storytelling.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

What You Bring

• 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.

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with Perforce P4.
• Experience working with vendor support.
• Experience with other technologies the team manages: Elasticsearch, Splunk, Oracle DB.
• Experience in an Animation or VFX studio environment.
• Experience with operating and securing Cloud‑based services.

Why Pixar?

At Pixar, you’ll tackle meaningful technical challenges while contributing directly to the films that inspire millions. Beyond your technical work, you’ll be part of a vibrant community where Pixarians express themselves through art, board games, maker projects, and more.

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $180,115.00 to $233,090.00 per year.

Pixar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We know our storytelling is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Pixar participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.