Technical Director Pre Production

Netflix; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision plans

Mental health support

Retirement programs

Family-forming benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Netflix Animation Studios seeks a Pre-Production Technical Director to support front-end craft groups with pipeline tooling, debugging, and technical guidance. You will contribute to the design and development of artist workflows, ensuring efficient production pipelines across Story, Edit, Art, Concept, Design, and Previs.

The role requires deep technical knowledge, strong collaboration, and hands-on coding in Python/C++ with experience in USD, Maya, and related tools.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, TV, games, or VFX.
• Proven technical achievements within feature animation or VFX.
• Strong understanding of traditional techniques relevant to Pre-Production.
• Experience troubleshooting and developing tools and workflows for Pre-Production.

Responsibilities

• Understand visual requirements and propose new technologies or tools to meet them.
• Provide technical guidance and maintain the Pre-Production technology stack.
• Design, develop, and write maintainable, high-quality code.
• QA, test, and validate new technology and tool releases to protect artist workflows.
• Mentor mid-level TDs and collaborate with other teams to optimize pipelines.

Skills

Collaborative

Communication skills

Problem solving

Mentor/leadership

Artist-focused

Education

Software engineering degree

Animation/Film/Design/Engineering degree

Tools

Maya

Flix

Avid

Storyboard Pro

Premiere

Photoshop

Python

PyQt

C++

USD

ShotGrid

Git

GitHub

Jira

Job description

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us!

The Opportunity

The Pre-Production Technical Director is responsible for supporting creative and visual objectives through pipeline troubleshooting, user support, technical direction, and tool development for front-end craft groups, including Story, Edit, Art, Concept, Design, Visual Development, and Previs. As a technical expert, the Pre-Production Technical Director exhibits a deep understanding of processes, technology, and tools within these domains. They contribute technical expertise to the design and development of artist workflows and tools, ensuring that the pre-production process is efficient and integrated with the overall production pipeline.

What You’ll Do

Technical Responsibilities

• Understand the visual requirements for productions and suggest new technologies, or design procedures, techniques, and tools to meet these requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for all technology within the Pre-Production department.
• Contribute to the direction, evolution, and maintenance of the technology within the Pre-Production Department.
• Design, develop, and write well-maintainable and consistently high-quality code.
• Track and resolve the most complex technical issues within Pre-Production in partnership with other TDs and Software Engineers.
• Work closely with other TDs and Software Engineers within Pre-Production to drive the technical success of key development initiatives.
• Ensure that technology, tools, and procedures within Pre-Production Craft Group support the creative process.
• Provide solutions to visual problems through existing tools or by leading the implementation of new tools.
• Take responsibility for the troubleshooting and optimization of Pre-Production tools, software, and workflows.
• Actively drive the QA, technical testing, and validation of new technology, tool releases, or pipeline changes, ensuring artist workflow is not impacted.
• Understand the processes of adjoining departments and provide input where required to maximize pipeline efficiency and quality.
• Actively participate in brainstorming and problem-solving, contributing technical expertise and insight to create and maintain technology within the canonical production pipeline.
• Support the organization’s overall technical goals as required.

Bidding & Scheduling Responsibilities

• Be aware of the deadlines for own development initiatives and actively engage in keeping these on track.
• Continuously monitor the scope of the most technically challenging development initiatives within the Pre-Production department and help to ensure scope adjustments have additional estimates, etc.
• Prioritize and break down technical projects into organized parts.
• Work with the Supervising TD to prepare estimates and pitches as required.

Talent & Performance Management Responsibilities

• Work with the Supervising TD for Front-End to provide technical guidance to Pre-Production TDs with day-to-day issues and elevate through the right channels when necessary.
• Work with Technology Talent Management and Supervising TDs to help further develop the skills and abilities of mid-level TDs within the Front End Craft Group.
• Mentor mid-level TDs within the team and assist in orientation with senior new starters.
• Create synergies between different work groups to promote efficiency and optimization and to generate innovative ideas and approaches to how we do things.

Communication Collaboration & Relationship Development Responsibilities

• Strong communication skills for technical ideas, project status, problems, requirements, rollout plans, etc.
• Able to communicate with Program Managers to contribute to the scheduling and planning of complex technology initiatives.
• Able to discuss complex issues with Senior Software Engineers, developers, and supervisors.
• Able to present to small teams (tool demos, Show Contract process, Support Dashboards, etc.).
• Good written communication skills for specs, tickets, status updates, etc.

Behaviours

• Takes a collaborative approach, always working towards team goals and success.
• Is artist-focused, passionate about improving the artist experience and workflow.
• Acts as a proactive contributor, eager to learn and help the team succeed.
• Stays supportive and approachable, fostering a friendly and open environment.
• Is detail-oriented, ensuring high standards in all work.
• Remains trustworthy and reliable in all responsibilities.

What You’ll Need

• Relevant education in software engineering and/or film creation process.
• 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, animated TV series, games and/or VFX feature films.
• Proven technical achievements within feature animation or VFX.
• An understanding of traditional techniques appropriate to the Pre-Production craft group.
• Comprehensive experience using and troubleshooting in relevant software such as Maya, Flix, Avid, Storyboard Pro, Premiere, Photoshop, and other related software used in the Pre-Production domain.
• Comprehensive understanding of technical details within the Pre-Production department.
• Ability to code review and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
• Expert knowledge in Python as well as PyQt or another GUI toolkit.
• Knowledge of concepts like data flow, data dependencies, metadata, publishing, and retrieval.
• Solid understanding of C++ is a plus. A strong understanding of USD and its general concepts.
• Knowledge of Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid).
• Knowledge of code management software such as git and GitHub and code review processes.
• Knowledge of software development practices such as Agile and how to apply them in software such as Jira.
• Degree in Animation, Film, Computer Science, Design, Engineering, Math, or Physics, or equivalent combination of education and work experience in animation/VFX.

Compensation

At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $120,000 - $180,000 USD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have bonuses.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $64.94/hr and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.

Benefits

• medical/dental/vision plans
• mental health support
• retirement programs
• family-forming benefits
• paid leave of absence programs
• paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off

See more detail about our benefits here.

Inclusion & Diversity

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.