Associate Technical Supervisor (Back-End)
Netflix View all jobs
- Vancouver, BC
- $160,000-200,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lighting
- Rendering
- Compositing
- Imaging
- Final Output/Delivery
- Simulation/FX (if not covered by another Associate Tech Sup)
- Pipeline integration and troubleshooting for these stages
- Understand the film’s visual goals and design tools, workflows, and procedures that enable artists to achieve them.
- Troubleshoot and optimize production workflows, providing practical solutions to visual and technical problems through existing tools or new tool development.
- Safeguard artist productivity by testing and validating new tools and pipeline changes, tracking and resolving issues in partnership with Technical Supervisors, Solutions Engineering, and R&D.
- Contribute to building and improving the show and studio-wide pipeline, ensuring efficient collaboration across departments and supporting broader technical objectives.
- Track and manage development initiatives for the show, monitoring estimates, scope, and deadlines, and adjusting plans as needed to keep work on track.
- Partner with the Technical Supervisor to prioritize and resolve top support issues, coordinating cross‑departmental testing to move high‑priority fixes through the pipeline quickly.
- Organize technical work by breaking down projects into manageable parts, aligning fortnightly support allocation, and clearly communicating production and technical information to TDs and Program Managers.
- Collaborate with the Technical Supervisor and Solutions Engineering Manager to prepare estimates, pitches, and plans for show-specific technical work.
- Provide day-to-day technical guidance to TDs, collaborating with the Solutions Engineering Manager to escalate issues through the right channels when needed.
- Mentor and develop TDs, supporting onboarding for new team members and partnering with Technology Talent Management and Solutions Engineering Managers to grow skills across the department.
- Identify team management issues early and work with Tech Talent Management to put constructive solutions in place.
- Foster collaboration and create synergies between different work groups to drive efficiency, optimization, and innovative ways of working.
- Communicate clearly and concisely on technical topics, including project status, requirements, problems, and rollout plans, both verbally and in writing.
- Collaborate with Program Managers on scheduling and planning show-based initiatives, providing accurate status and expectations.
- Tailor communication to your audience: explain issues in accessible, non-technical language to artists and production, and discuss complex topics in depth with developers and supervisors.
- Confidently present to small teams (e.g., tool demos, pipeline processes, support dashboards) and produce clear written documentation such as specs, tickets, and status updates.
- 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in animated features, animated TV series, and/or VFX feature films, with demonstrated leadership in feature animation or VFX.
- Strong technical foundation, including solid Python skills (plus PyQt or another GUI toolkit), familiarity with data flow/metadata/publishing concepts, and the ability to review code and troubleshoot issues; basic C++ and USD knowledge are a plus.
- Deep understanding of traditional production workflows, tools, and techniques, with experience using and troubleshooting relevant DCCs and production tracking software such as Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid) or similar.
- Experience with modern software development and collaboration practices, including git/GitHub, code review processes, and Agile methodologies using tools such as Jira.
- Demonstrated strength in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and risk awareness, with the ability to adapt to evolving project requirements and dynamic team interactions.
- Degree in Animation, Film, Computer Science, Design, Engineering, Math, or Physics, or equivalent professional experience in animation/VFX.