Senior Technical Director - Animation Pipelines

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Director in Sandton to lead animation pipelines. You will oversee development, optimization, and maintenance to ensure efficiency and scalability across projects.

The role requires deep technical expertise, leadership, and proactive problem-solving to drive innovation in a leading animation studio.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Technical Director or Lead Technical Artist in animation/VFX.
• Proven track record building and managing complex animation pipelines.
• Strong scripting in Python, MEL, C++, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of robust animation pipelines.
• Mentor and manage technical animators and pipeline developers.
• Collaborate with supervisors, artists, and production management to define priorities.

Skills

Pipeline development

Python scripting

Maya/Houdini

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Maya

Houdini

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized animation studio, is seeking an accomplished Senior Technical Director to lead and innovate their animation pipelines in Sandton . This pivotal role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You will be responsible for the development, optimization, and maintenance of the animation pipeline, ensuring efficiency, quality, and scalability across all projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with industry-standard animation software, pipeline tools, and scripting languages, coupled with a proven ability to manage technical teams and drive technological advancements. This is a remarkable opportunity to shape the future of animation production for a leading studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of robust and efficient animation pipelines.
• Manage and mentor a team of technical animators and pipeline developers.
• Collaborate with animation supervisors, artists, and production management to define pipeline requirements and priorities.
• Develop and maintain tools, scripts, and plugins to enhance animation workflows and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues within the animation pipeline.
• Optimize pipeline performance and ensure scalability for large-scale productions.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry best practices in animation and VFX.
• Establish and enforce pipeline standards and documentation.
• Interface with software vendors and internal engineering teams to address pipeline needs.
• Drive innovation and process improvements within the animation department.

Requirements

• Extensive experience as a Technical Director or Lead Technical Artist in the animation or VFX industry.
• Proven track record in developing and managing complex animation pipelines.
• Expertise in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Houdini) and DCC toolchains.
• Strong proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, C++, or similar.
• Deep understanding of character rigging, animation principles, and rendering technologies.
• Experience leading and motivating technical teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Experience with cloud computing and distributed rendering systems is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Join a prestigious animation studio in Sandton that is at the forefront of visual storytelling. Our client offers a highly competitive salary, an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement plans, and significant opportunities for professional growth. You will work in a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with some of the most talented individuals in the industry. We value work-life balance and offer a supportive and inclusive work environment.