Look of Picture Technical Director (LOP TD)

Sony Pictures Imageworks is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. We are committed to respecting traditional lands, and working with communities towards reconciliation.

Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.
658 Homer Street., Suite 405, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2R4

Project based, Full Time

Language in work environment - English

Benefits per company policy: include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable

Sony Imageworks Vancouver is seeking a Look of Picture Technical Director (LOP TD)! 

Reporting to the Look of Picture Supervisor, a Look of Picture Technical Director (LOP TD) will play a vital role in supporting the creation of non-photorealistic rendering techniques. This is a unique opportunity to learn and gain valuable production experience working on some of the industry's most demanding styles.  Films such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Mitchells Vs. The Machines are examples of art-based rendering that exemplify the various styles we have achieved at Imageworks. 

Imageworks is looking for an individual with a unique blend of artistic flair and technical proficiency to partner with our creative leads. In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing visual narratives through the development of innovative tools for our upcoming projects.

We are searching for someone with an aesthetic sensibility who can manage the entire lifecycle of a tool, from initial creation to shot integration. While prototyping primarily occurs in Nuke, a background in look development, lighting, rendering, or shader construction is considered a significant asset.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a deep enthusiasm for the intersection of art and lighting, utilizing software engineering to elevate visual development and bridge the gap between creative intent and technical implementation.

Duties :  

• Collaborate with the Look of Picture team to develop tools for the shading, rendering, and compositing teams to realize unique aesthetic visions.
• Provide technical guidance to artists utilizing the developed toolsets.
• Establish comprehensive documentation and visual references showcasing the capabilities of various utilities.
• Optimize existing frameworks to refine production pipelines and boost productivity.
• Maintain accountability to the Look of Picture and DFX leadership.

Qualifications :

• Degree in Computer Science or a comparable technical field.
• Strong desire to learn about tool development within non-photorealistic rendering pipelines.
• Proficiency in Python, OSL, and C++
• Familiarity with Nuke's Python APIs, NDK, BlinkScript, gizmo creation, and standard compositing workflows.
• Base knowledge of building libraries, custom plugins, and interface tools.
• Practical knowledge of UI design principles and frameworks, specifically QT/PyQT.
• Base knowledge of lighting, compositing, and general studio pipeline architecture.
• Competency working within UNIX / Linux systems and utilizing git for version control.
• Demonstrates creative vision, professional autonomy, and personal initiative.
• Basic knowledge of Katana, Houdini, and Maya or any equivalent DCC.
• Desired: Apprehension of traditional artistic mediums such as watercolor, gouache, or charcoal. A genuine passion for photography, painting, or classical design.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $26.44 to $36.32/hr for Associate and $36.06 - $48.08/hr for Intermediate level. Benefits are per company policy: which include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Please note that you must be able to provide a demo reel that illustrates your relevant artistic and technical experience that also includes the nuances for this specific role.

We value unique perspectives, and want diverse, unique talent to work with us.  We encourage candidates from all identities to apply

*Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.