Role Overview

In this position, you will work with our CGI team primarily within the UK, as well as the Americas to support workflows, and processes critical to our pipeline.  This is a role with responsibilities split between solving immediate, short-term problems and improving long-term workflows and practices.  You will bring experience and understanding of production pipeline; from previsualization through rendering, comp, finishing and delivery. 

The main aspects of the role include: 

• Scene troubleshooting, error diagnostics and render efficiency optimisations for live projects, often with fast turnarounds. 

• Programming and script support and development to enable the studio to run smoothly, both with the in-house tools as well as future tools and processes. 

• Contribution to and ownership of long-term projects used across studios, adhering to in-house conventions whilst extending functionality.  

• Work closely with IT on maintaining the CGI system environment and render pipeline.  

Responsibilities 

• Work with various departments to hone workflow and support their needs, which may range from technical advice all the way to new, long-term software development projects.  

• Take ownership of, maintain and extend the in-house toolset for 3ds Max (primarily written in MaxScript, some Python), which includes a node-based scene management tool used on all 3dsMax projects.  

• Manage and oversee (alongside I.T.) our Thinkbox Deadline based network render farm; submission mechanisms and render wrangling workflows used primarily by 3ds Max (V-Ray), and Nuke. 

• Maintaining the customised aspects of the Deadline render farm, most prominently customised submitters and events. 

• Assist artists in troubleshooting the underlying cause of render or DCC scene performance problems both locally and when rendering on the farm.  

• Provide custom ad-hoc solutions to alleviate production pressure points in CG and Compositing. 

• Contribute to the studio-wide libraries and cross-DCC applications written in Python (often using Qt), working closely with the Head of Pipeline to ensure a seamless integration. 

• Contribute to tools development in support of real-time creative solutions built atop UE4+ 

• All code is expected to be written in a reader-friendly, collaborative manner, adhering to in-house style guides, and using git to maintain control over versioning and updates. 
  

Essential Skills & Requirements 

• Professional experience (3 years +) programming in MaxScript and Python (MEL a plus). 

• In depth production knowledge of 3dsmax and VRay. 

• A full understanding of the entire CG pipeline, from previz to final delivery.   

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to tailor your style to both technical and non-technical members of staff.  

• Familiarity with principles of object-oriented programming.

Beneficial Knowledge 

• Knowledge of Qt (especially PySide2) and its use in various DCCs. 

• Experience with Unreal Engine 4+. 

• Experience with GIT, Perforce or a similar version control system 

• Experience with AWS cloud systems. 

• Experience with the Deadline render management system and its plugin and event systems. 

• Experience with other DCCs, especially Maya, Houdini, Adobe’s Creative Suite and C4D (as well as rendering in Arnold).  

• Experience with NIM or another project management system. 
  
  

Values and Culture  

Taylor James is an integrated creative solutions hub within Tag World Wide providing top quality multi-platform live action, CGI, VFX and motion graphics to a growing array of high-profile clientele. We have a culture centred around producing top-shelf creative in print, motion and interactive; building innovative solutions and setting a best of brand bar for each of our clients. Our team operates with an uncompromising level of integrity and collaborative spirit that we apply to everything we do.