Simulation (Houdini) - Technical Engineer
Sony Pictures Imageworks2 months ago
Vancouver, CanadaMid Level / Senior
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement scalable procedural systems and workflows in Houdini for FX, Creature, Crowds, and Environment departments.
- Create, maintain, and optimize Houdini Digital Assets for stability, usability, and production standards.
- Extend, integrate, and support pipeline tools for data flow, asset publishing, and version control.
- Collaborate with artists to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and support in-house and commercial tools.
- Work with shading, lighting, and rendering engineers to integrate procedural assets into rendering and compositing pipelines.
- Document tools and workflows for artistic and engineering teams.
- Manage multiple competing priorities with minimal supervision.
Requirements
- 3–5+ years of professional experience developing procedural workflows and tools in a VFX, animation, or game production environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Houdini tool creation, optimization, and workflow techniques.
- Strong proficiency in Python and VEX for custom nodes and tool wrappers.
- Experience developing and supporting production pipeline tools and asset delivery.
- Experience with the Houdini API and other digital content creation tools such as Katana.
- Strong understanding of 3D mathematics, linear algebra, and data structures for geometry processing and simulation.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and a collaborative problem-solving approach.
- Preferred experience developing desktop applications with PyQt or PySide.
- Preferred experience with C++ for high-performance plugin development.
- Preferred experience with data science, machine learning, or complex simulation techniques such as fluid dynamics or cloth.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, digital media, or a related technical field is preferred.
Benefits
- Healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSPs, sick leave, vacation leave, and standard increases according to company policy.
- The position is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- The anticipated base salary is CAD $100,000.00–$120,000.00 per year.
About Sony Pictures Imageworks
Sony Pictures Imageworks is a visual effects and animation studio that produces live-action VFX, character and creature work, and all-CG animation for feature films and streaming series. Operating as the VFX and animation unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment, it serves both Sony labels and external studios. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Vancouver with additional sites in Los Angeles and Montreal, the studio’s credits include the Spider-Verse films.