Pipeline Technician (Project Hire)

We are looking for a Pipeline Technician specializing in animation, with primary focus on motion and performance capture and sit with our Virtual Production team. This role will help build and maintain an efficient pipeline to facilitate the capture and production of cinematic and gameplay animation. You will collaborate with a hardworking Virtual Production team, animators, and engineers to push the quality for next-gen game animation and enable the team to do their best work.

Responsibilities:

• Support motion and performance capture pipelines for gameplay and cinematic animation across multiple DCC applications (Maya, Mobu) and engine (UE5)
• Create and support tools and automation to streamline workflows and improve efficiency
• Develop easy to use tools to help creators focus on their specialties
• Work closely with virtual production, animation, and engineering to support motion acquisition, data post processing, facial solving, previz, and assembly/layout
• Collaborate with other TDs and integrate virtual production toolsets and processes into a cohesive studio animation/cinematic pipeline
• Troubleshoot animation issues through capture, refinement, and implementation
• Conduct/receive code reviews
• Create and maintain clear documentation and related material for processes, tools, troubleshooting, etc.

Requirements & Skills:

• (Required) 4+ years of professional experience in a development team setting as Animation TD or pipeline developer in game, film, or other relevant industries
• (Required) Strong Python experience in the areas of tools and UI (PyQt/PySide)
• (Required) Strong OOP concepts and problem-solving skills
• (Highly Preferred) Experience working with Mocap acquisition systems and data post processing
• (Highly Preferred) Experience with Python API and SQL
• (Highly Preferred) Experience working with Unreal, or similar game engine
• (Preferred) Database design/query/administration experience
• (Preferred) Understanding of gameplay and cinematic animation workflows
• (Bonus) Maya API / Plugin Experience
• (Bonus) Familiarity with Unreal Virtual Production Tools (LiveLink, Sequencer, etc)

Qualities:

• Capable of switching tasks quickly to address emergent production issues in a professional manner
• Proven track record of balancing multiple tasks in a fast-paced development environment
• Self-motivated and able to find solutions on one's own
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate issues and risks
• Collaborative, team oriented, and open to peer feedback
• High desire/focus to help making artists' lives better and processes more efficient/scalable, and mindful of areas of workflow improvements

(This is a temporary "Project Hire" position. The anticipated duration of this assignment will vary. TNM Project Hire employees will be eligible to participate in a number of TNM benefit plans such as medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, and flexible PTO)

TNM considers a number of factors when determining each role's base pay range, including industry benchmarks, location, experience, and other job specific skills. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for other incentive compensation including equity and profit share. The estimated base pay range for this role is U.S. only and not applicable for locations outside of the U.S.

The estimated base pay range for this role is: $89,000 - $119,000