Senior Director Pipeline Engineering

Who are we hiring? 

MSG Sphere is seeking a Senior Director Pipeline Engineering to lead the development and optimization of our groundbreaking production technology teams.

This role is vital to developing scalable tools and processes that optimize ultra-high-resolution content creation for Sphere Venues. You will lead teams across real-time engineering, plate lab operations, and pipeline engineering, focusing on streamlining production, visual effects, post-production and deliverables workflows. We're looking for a visionary leader with a track record of building tools that enhance efficiency, scalability, and creative workflows.

Working closely with Post Producers, Artists, Workflow Innovation leads, Core Technology, and Engineering teams, you'll identify needs and engage your teams to develop solutions that automate and optimize workflows. This role re.quires a user-centric approach to tool development, with a deep expertise in large-scale VFX, animation, or real-time pipelines, blending in-house innovation with third-party solutions to drive efficiency across all stages of production.

As a key member of the leadership team, you'll manage multiple teams across critical post production technology functions—including Sphere Studios proprietary Big Sky plates lab, real-time engineering, pipeline & workflow, and technology innovation—while cultivating a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement. Your forward-thinking approach will help redefine how Sphere Studios leverages technology to deliver groundbreaking content.

What will you do?

• User-Centric Solutions: Collaborate with end-users and stakeholders to develop user-friendly solutions that address key pain points. Ensure technical projects align with Sphere’s organizational goals and scale appropriately.
• Software Tool Development: Lead the architecture, specification, and deployment of robust software tools that automate and streamline critical production processes. Work closely with Studio Services and Core Technology to help prioritize and develop scalable systems that can handle the complexity of ultra-high-resolution content while aligning with both the technical requirements and creative objectives. 
• Technical Leadership & Code Reviews: Lead pipeline and workflow developers, conducting regular code reviews to ensure solutions are innovative, scalable, and tailored to Sphere's unique production environment. Balance short-term fixes with long-term infrastructure improvements, driving continuous optimization of the pipeline.
• Cross-Department Feedback: Maintain clear and effective communication with all studio departments to gather feedback and integrate it into tool development. Consult with the Core Technology department to drive the evaluation and selection of new technologies to meet the evolving demands of Sphere’s large-scale, immersive productions. Ensure technology solutions address production challenges and scale across teams.
• Team Leadership, Staffing, & Collaboration: Make staffing decisions for ongoing support of studio systems and artist needs, balancing workload and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure production environment. Ensure team cohesion and effective delivery of technology solutions across Real-time engineering, Big Sky Plates Lab, Core Technology, Pipeline, Workflow, and TD’s.
• Project Reporting & Tracking: Create and maintain detailed project proposals, timelines, financials, and progress reports for executives. Track and maintain the status of ongoing projects, propose future improvements, and provide updates on key technological developments within the pipeline. Clearly communicate progress, schedule shifts, and blockers on a regular basis while maintaining a solutions-based approach.
• Performance Tracking: Consult with Core Technology in the development of processes for tracking and reporting pipeline performance to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Security & Data Management: Partner with Information Security to ensure best practices for handling sensitive studio images and data. Work with Core Technology to assess and implement asset management and archiving solutions for production workflows. 

What do you need to succeed? 

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years in IT infrastructure or pipeline development within a film, episodic post-production, or VFX studio environment, with 5+ years in a technology leadership role managing large teams of engineers.
• Technical Expertise: Strong expertise in Python, C++, and Linux. Must have experience developing tools for major software packages such as Maya, Houdini, Nuke, Shotgun, and render management systems (e.g., Deadline). Familiarity with platforms like Resolve, Fusion, C4D, Unreal, Docker/VMs, and cloud rendering is preferred.
• Leadership & Communication: Detail-oriented leader with excellent communication, documentation, and reporting skills. Able to manage cross-functional teams and projects while prioritizing production needs and long-term technical goals.
• Problem-Solving & Situational Awareness: Ability to work under pressure and quickly identify and resolve issues. Demonstrates situational awareness in complex production environments and maintains a customer-centric, production-minded work ethic.
• Industry Knowledge: Expertise in industry-standard pipeline tools and processes, with a deep understanding of how to scale technical solutions to meet the demands of large-scale content creation

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