Senior Pipeline TD - Lighting
Lighting Department: Pipeline Reports to: Pipeline Supervisor Status: Non-exempt Classification: Full-time, Staff Date: April 2026
Purpose of the job
The Lighting Department is responsible for lighting and rendering assets, characters, and environments within VFX shots and sequences. The Lookdev Department is responsible for creating the materials that are applied to those CG elements, defining the rendered appearance of those surfaces. A Lighting Pipeline TD is responsible for improving, maintaining and troubleshooting the Lookdev and Lighting pipeline. They design, implement, and manage tools that assist the digital artists with their daily use of both third party and in-house software and systems. The role requires strong technical and communication skills, as well as a firm understanding of software design, computer graphics, VFX production workflows, and the tools and technologies used by lookdev and lighting artists (such as shaders, lights, 3D rendering software and render farms). Lighting Pipeline TDs work alongside peers and supervisors, crafting novel tools, techniques, and workflows, as directed by the Department Head and the Domain Pipeline Supervisor. You will also provide show support as needed for artists using the Lookdev and Lighting pipeline and toolset.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
- Design and architect new workflows, frameworks and APIs.
- Investigate and integrate new features and tools into existing workflows.
- Ability to work with artists and other TDs to help design and create tools to be integrated into
Digital Domain's existing pipeline. These tools will be created using a combination of custom and commercial Python and C++ APIs.
- Work with Lookdev and Lighting Leads to augment the teams' workflows and toolsets to
achieve specific goals of the project.
- Work directly with artists to troubleshoot and fix problems.
- Craft and update documentation for tools, techniques, and workflows generated.
Education and/or Experience Required
- 5+ years experience as a Technical Director.
- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or a related field and/or a combination
of education and experience that would be equivalent to that level of professionalism, problem solving, and analytical skills.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Proficiency with Houdini’s HDK / OTLs / VEX preferred.
- Proficiency with SideFX Solaris (Houdini) and/or USD preferred.
- Familiarity with creating GUIs with PySide/PyQt preferred.
- Familiarity with one or more 3D renderers, such as V-Ray and/or Karma preferred.
- Familiarity with other professional graphics package Python/C++ APIs, including the Maya
SDK, and/or Nuke SDK a plus.
Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands
- Office working environment.
- Hours for this position are based on normal working hours but will require extra hours pending
production needs.
- Walking/bending/sitting.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Digital Domain 3.0, Inc management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs. Compensation Range: $30 per hour to $65 per hour. The posted range describes the minimum to maximum range for this job description in the state of California and the provinces of British Columbia. The range is posted in accordance with applicable law. The range for this same position may be lower or higher in markets outside of California or the provinces of British Columbia. Offered base pay is contingent on internal equity, as well as the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other factors. As an equal employment opportunity employer, Digital Domain commits to a work environment free from unlawful discrimination where all employees are treated equally with dignity, respect and on the basis of individual experience and potential, without regard to any personal classifications protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. Diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of DD's values as a company. Our goal is to increase the attraction, retention, and advancement of women, persons of color, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQ2S and all under-represented groups in skilled occupations within the entertainment and technology sectors. Building a diverse and inclusive workplace is critical to the success of our business and the well-being of our people. It drives innovation, new ideas, and most importantly, a safe and collaborative environment for you. We invite you to join us on this journey to help us better represent the world we live in, at the places we work, and to create a space where each individual feels comfortable bringing their whole self to work.