Sony Pictures Imageworks hiring Associate Technical Director

Sony Pictures Imageworks , The Associate Technical Director (ATD) is a collaborative, service-oriented role dedicated to supporting and optimizing Sony Pictures Imageworks’ compositing and 2D pipelines. Reporting directly to the VFX and CG Supervisors, the ATD acts as a vital technical bridge between creative artists and core pipeline engineering teams. Daily responsibilities center on building, maintaining, and deploying artist-facing tools, custom Python scripts, and Nuke gizmos within the studio’s proprietary asset management systems.

Tailored for an analytical problem-solver who enjoys direct studio support, this position focuses on diagnosing production bottlenecks, automating repetitive workflows, and providing front-line technical troubleshooting to ensure artists can reliably deliver high-quality final images under tight deadlines.

Job Overview : Associate Technical Director

Job Detail Information

Location Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.

Address 658 Homer Street, Suite 405, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2R4

Position Type Project-based, Full-Time

Language of Work English

Anticipated Salary $26.44 – $36.32 / hour

Land Acknowledgement

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.

Position Overview as Associate Technical Director

Sony Pictures Imageworks is seeking an analytical, service-oriented Associate Technical Director (ATD) to join our Vancouver studio. Reporting directly to the VFX and CG Supervisors, the ATD plays a critical role in supporting the development, stability, and optimization of the studio’s compositing and 2D pipelines.

This position focuses on building, maintaining, and troubleshooting artist-facing tools and workflows. As an ATD, you will act as a vital bridge between creative artists, supervisors, and core pipeline engineering teams. Your objective is to resolve daily technical production hurdles, improve workflow efficiencies, and ensure reliable pipeline support for final image development. This is a highly collaborative role ideal for an individual who enjoys hands‑on problem‑solving and empowering artists to deliver world‑class visual effects.

Key Responsibilities as Associate Technical Director

• Develop, test, and maintain custom Python tools, Nuke gizmos, and pipeline utilities to enhance production speed and ease.
• Work within the studio’s proprietary pipeline ecosystem and asset management systems to ensure seamless data flow across departments.
• Identify repetitive manual tasks or workflow bottlenecks and propose structured pipeline‑driven solutions.

2. Technical Troubleshooting & Artist Assistance

• Provide front‑line technical support to compositors and supervisors, diagnosing and resolving complex production issues within Foundry Nuke.
• Debug scripting errors, asset mismatches, and data ingestion/output failures under production deadlines.
• Create, test, document, and safely release production tools, templates, and gizmos to the wider studio environment.
• Author clear, structured documentation and training materials for proprietary tools and workflows.
• Assist with the onboarding and technical training of new artists and incoming team members.
• Manage multiple competing priorities effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic studio environment.

Role Requirements

Required Technical Skills

• Scripting & Automation: Professional experience or strong proficiency with Python and Nuke scripting (Python API).
• Operating Systems: Familiarity navigating and troubleshooting within Linux environments, including basic shell scripting (Bash).
• Version Control: Experience using industry‑standard version control systems such as Git or SVN .
• Problem Solving: Strong structural debugging skills with the ability to dissect legacy code and complex node networks.

Required Collaborative Skills

• Clear, empathetic verbal and written communication skills tailored for both technical and creative peers.
• A strong customer‑service mindset focused on supporting artists in a demanding production landscape.
• Excellent organizational habits and the capacity to track multiple overlapping priorities.

Nice‑to‑Have Qualifications

The following skills are advantageous but not mandatory for consideration:

• Exposure to specialized languages/APIs: BlinkScript, Qt/PySide, TCL, Lua, or C++ .
• Familiarity with other DCC applications such as Autodesk Maya, Katana, or SideFX Houdini .
• Basic understanding of production render engines (e.g., Arnold, RenderMan, or V‑Ray ).
• Experience utilizing Docker containers, production asset management systems, or large‑scale pipeline architectures.
• A foundational artistic or technical background in compositing, lighting, or adjacent VFX disciplines.

Cultural Core Values

We actively look for candidates who mirror our studio’s internal culture:

• Curiosity & Adaptability: A proactive drive to learn new software, methods, and proprietary pipelines.
• Initiative & Ownership: Taking responsibility for a problem from the moment it is reported until a robust solution is deployed.
• Openness: Welcoming constructive peer review, iterative feedback, and open cross‑studio collaboration.
• User‑First Mindset: A genuine passion for improving artist experiences and optimizing technical frameworks.

Compensation, Benefits & Application Requirements

Salary Determination

The anticipated base salary for this position is $26.44 to $36.32 per hour . The final hourly rate offered will depend on individual applicant qualifications, total years of relevant production experience, education level, certifications, and technical proficiencies.

Per company policy, full‑time employees receive a competitive package including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement programs for approved continuous learning.
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions.
• Paid sick leave and accrued vacation allotments.
• Standard performance and cost‑of‑living increases as applicable.

Submission Requirement

To be considered for this technical role, you must provide a demo reel and breakdown illustrating your relevant artistic or technical experience, explicitly highlighting the technical nuances, toolsets, or workflows you have built or supported.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

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 characteristics protected by local labor laws. We value unique perspectives and invite diverse, exceptional talent to apply.

Sony Pictures Imageworks hiring Associate Technical Director