Pre-Production Technical Director

The Opportunity:

The Pre-Production Technical Director is responsible for supporting creative and visual objectives through pipeline troubleshooting, user support, technical direction, and tool development for front-end craft groups, including Story, Edit, Art, Concept, Design, Visual Development, and Previs. As a technical expert, the Pre-Production Technical Director exhibits a deep understanding of processes, technology, and tools within these domains. They contribute technical expertise to the design and development of artist workflows and tools, ensuring that the pre-production process is efficient and integrated with the overall production pipeline. 

What You’ll Do:

Technical Responsibilities: 

• Understand the visual requirements for productions and suggest new technologies, or design procedures, techniques, and tools to meet these requirements. 
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for all technology within the Pre-Production department. 
• Contribute to the direction, evolution, and maintenance of the technology within the Pre-Production Department. 
• Design, develop, and write well-maintainable and consistently high-quality code. 
• Track and resolve the most complex technical issues within Pre-Production in partnership with other TDs and Software Engineers. 
• Work closely with other TDs and Software Engineers within Pre-Production to drive the technical success of key development initiatives. 
• Ensure that technology, tools, and procedures within the Pre-Production Craft Group support the creative process. 
• Provide solutions to visual problems through existing tools or by leading the implementation of new tools. 
• Take responsibility for the troubleshooting and optimization of Pre-Production tools, software, and workflows. 
• Actively drive the QA, technical testing, and validation of new technology, tool releases, or pipeline changes, ensuring artist workflow is not impacted. 
• Understand the processes of adjoining departments and provide input where required to maximize pipeline efficiency and quality. 
• Actively participate in brainstorming and problem-solving, contributing technical expertise and insight to create and maintain technology within the canonical production pipeline. 
• Support the organization’s overall technical goals as required.

Bidding & Scheduling Responsibilities: 

• Be aware of the deadlines for own development initiatives and actively engage in keeping these on track. 
• Continuously monitor the scope of the most technically challenging development initiatives within the Pre-Production department and help to ensure scope adjustments have additional estimates, etc. 
• Prioritize and break down technical projects into organized parts. 
• Work with the Supervising TD to prepare estimates and pitches as required.

Talent & Performance Management Responsibilities: 

• Work with the Supervising TD for Front-End to provide technical guidance to Pre-Production TDs with day-to-day issues and escalate through the right channels when necessary. 
• Work with Technology Talent Management and Supervising TDs to help further develop the skills and abilities of mid-level TDs within the Front End Craft Group. 
• Mentor mid-level TDs within the team and assist in orientation with senior new starters. 
• Create synergies between different work groups to promote efficiency and optimization and to generate innovative ideas and approaches to how we do things.

Communication Collaboration & Relationship Development Responsibilities: 

• Strong communication skills for technical ideas, project status, problems, requirements, rollout plans, etc. 
• Able to communicate with Program Managers to contribute to the scheduling and planning of complex technology initiatives. 
• Able to discuss complex issues with Senior Software Engineers, developers, and supervisors. 
• Able to present to small teams (tool demos, Show Contract process, Support Dashboards, etc.). 
• Good written communication skills for specs, tickets, status updates, etc.

Behaviours: 

• Takes a collaborative approach, always working towards team goals and success.
• Is artist-focused, passionate about improving the artist experience and workflow.
• Acts as a proactive contributor, eager to learn and help the team succeed.
• Stays supportive and approachable, fostering a friendly and open environment.
• Is detail-oriented, ensuring high standards in all work.
• Remains trustworthy and reliable in all responsibilities. 

What You’ll Need:

• Relevant education in software engineering and/or film creation process.
• 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features, animated TV series, games and/or VFX feature films.
• Proven technical achievements within feature animation or VFX.
• An understanding of traditional techniques appropriate to the Pre-Production craft group. 
• Comprehensive experience using and troubleshooting in relevant software such as Maya, Flix, Avid, Storyboard Pro, Premiere, Photoshop, and other related software used in the Pre-Production domain. 
• Comprehensive understanding of technical details within the Pre-Production department. 
• Ability to code review and troubleshoot problems as they arise. 
• Expert knowledge in Python as well as PyQt or another GUI toolkit. 
• Knowledge of concepts like data flow, data dependencies, metadata, publishing, and retrieval. 
• Solid understanding of C++ is a plus. A strong understanding of USD and its general concepts. 
• Knowledge of Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid). 
• Knowledge of code management software such as git and GitHub and code review processes. 
• Knowledge of software development practices such as Agile and how to apply them in software such as Jira. 
• Degree in Animation, Film, Computer Science, Design, Engineering, Math, or Physics, or equivalent combination of education and work experience in animation/VFX.

This role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum requirement of 3 days a week in the office). 

At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $120,000 to $180,000 CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have bonuses. 

NAS benefits can include mental/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off. See more detail about our benefits here.