R&D / Technology Manager Visual Effects (VFX)

Department: Research & Development / Pipeline Technology

Reports To: Head of Studio / CTO / Head of RND

Role Overview:

The R&D / Technology Manager plays a pivotal role in defining, developing, and implementing the technological vision of the studio. This position bridges the gap between creative needs and technical innovation ensuring efficient production workflows, scalable infrastructure, and future-ready pipeline solutions for VFX and Virtual Production.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Pipeline & Workflow Development

• Collaborate with Supervisors and Production to identify bottlenecks and implement scalable tools.

• Integrate AI-assisted and automation systems into existing production processes.

• Standardize ShotGrid, Unreal Engine, Nuke, and Maya data exchanges.

2. Technical Leadership

• Guide and mentor the R&D and Pipeline TD teams.

• Establish coding standards, documentation practices, and testing frameworks for tools.

• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies (AI-driven tools, machine learning, USD, cloud rendering, etc.).

3. Infrastructure & Performance

• Partner with IT to optimize render farm utilization, data storage, and resource forecasting.

• Develop analytics dashboards for render capacity, version control, and system health.

• Plan scalability for upcoming projects and new studio setups (hardware, storage, and software upgrades).

4. Research & Innovation

• Explore and prototype emerging technologies AI compositing, procedural environments, real-time rendering, etc.

• Publish internal white papers or case studies on pipeline innovations.

• Promote a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Experience:

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of VFX pipelines and DCCs (Maya, Nuke, Houdini, Unreal Engine).

• Experience with ShotGrid, USD, and version control systems (Git, Perforce).

• Familiarity with render farm management, cloud-based workflows, and AI/ML integration.

Leadership Skills

• Proven experience managing cross-functional technical teams.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.

• Ability to translate creative challenges into scalable technical solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, VFX Technology, or equivalent.

• Minimum 810 years of experience in VFX / Animation / Gaming pipelines, with at least 3 years in a leadership or R&D role.

Key Attributes:

• Visionary mindset curious about new technology and how it can reshape creative workflows.

• Detail-oriented yet adaptable to fast-changing production environments.

• Collaborative, proactive, and passionate about empowering artists through technology.