Staff Systems Engineer, Data Streaming

Pixar; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

Pixar is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Data Systems Engineering team in Emeryville. You will own Kafka infrastructure operations, manage on-prem migration strategy, and collaborate with production and engineering teams to support data streaming services critical to filmmaking pipelines.

You’ll bring 12+ years of Linux expertise, strong scripting, and IaC experience, and you’ll mentor teammates while communicating complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a studio

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience maintaining mission-critical Linux systems.
• Expertise in administering Kafka or other data streaming services.
• Scripting skills in Python or shell for automation.
• Experience with configuration/infrastructure as code (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform).
• Proven collaboration and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a strategy to migrate Kafka infrastructure to on-prem management and own ongoing operations.
• Support filmmaking pipelines by managing Perforce P4-based asset version control.
• Shape the strategic direction of Pixar’s data streaming offerings through planning and analysis.
• Collaborate with teams to provide first-rate service to the studio.
• Coordinate machine configuration, security policies, and patching practices.
• Troubleshoot complex Linux issues and participate in on-call rotations.

Skills

Kafka admin

Linux systems

Python

Shell scripting

Infrastructure as Code

Mentoring

Project leadership

Technical communication

Tools

Perforce P4

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.

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $180,115.00 to $233,090.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

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—you might find yourself spinning up new Kafka clusters by day and performing with your band at Pixarpalooza by night.

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.

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 the art of computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Brave,” “Inside Out,” “Coco” and “Turning Red.” Its movies and technology have won 40 Academy Awards® and the films have grossed more than $15 billion at the worldwide box office. “Elio,” Pixar's 29th feature, releases in theaters June 13, 2025. Pixar's objective is to combine groundbreaking technology and world-class creative talent to develop computer‑animated feature films with memorable characters and heartwarming stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.