Provides technical support for lighting artists, troubleshoots rendering scenes and DCC configurations, develops production tools, and maintains renderer testing and benchmarking frameworks. Supports render pipeline automation, USD and Hydra workflows, shader development, DCC validation, and render farm efficiency improvements. Collaborates with artists, supervisors, pipeline teams, and software developers while exploring AI-based rendering technologies such as denoising and upscaling.
Render TD
Visual Effects Division | Global
Production Technology | Junior / Entry-Level
Reports To Head of Rendering
The Role
As a Render Technical Director at DNEG, you will play a hands-on role in ensuring that the rendering and lighting tools, software, and workflows used across our award-winning VFX and Feature Animation productions run smoothly and efficiently. Working under the guidance of our Render Supervisors, you will provide front-line technical support to lighting artists, troubleshoot rendering issues in live production scenes, and contribute to the tooling and testing frameworks that underpin DNEG's render pipeline.
This is an excellent entry point into rendering technology at a world-leading visual effects company. You will be embedded within the RenderTech team — working alongside Render Supervisors, Shader Writers, and senior TDs — and gain direct exposure to industry-leading renderers, USD-based pipelines, and the full breadth of DNEG's production and technology ecosystem. You will bring technical curiosity, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine enthusiasm for solving problems in a fast-paced creative environment.
What You Will Do
Production & Artist Support
- Provide front-line technical support to lighting artists across VFX and Feature Animation productions, helping to diagnose and resolve rendering and lighting issues efficiently.
- Troubleshoot lighting scenes, render setups, and DCC configurations to unblock artists and ensure productions remain on schedule.
- Assist in the creation of technically robust production assets, including light rigs, scene templates, and custom tools and UIs for use across shows.
- Help identify and resolve inefficiencies in lighting and rendering workflows, working with Render Supervisors to implement improvements.
- Act as a clear point of communication between technical developers and non-technical artists, translating issues and solutions accurately between both audiences.
Testing, Tools & Pipeline
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of automated unit and integration tests for renderers and rendering toolsets, helping to ensure stability across pipeline updates.
- Support the maintenance and expansion of DNEG's renderer test suite, which profiles performance, tracks quality improvements, and identifies regressions across renderer versions.
- Assist in the profiling and benchmarking of rendering processes, contributing data and observations to help improve render farm throughput and efficiency.
- Help implement and maintain render pipeline tooling, including diagnostic utilities, monitoring scripts, and workflow automation.
- Provide structured feedback on software releases from R&D, Core Services, and vendor partners (Pixar, SideFX) that affect lighting and rendering workflows.
Renderer & DCC Integration
- Support exploratory work around ML/AI-based rendering technologies — such as denoising and upscaling — in collaboration with Brahma AI's Advanced Development Group (ADG), under the guidance of senior RenderTech staff.
- Develop familiarity with USD and Hydra-based workflows in Houdini/Solaris, and contribute to the maintenance of USD pipeline components within the scope of RenderTech's responsibilities.
- Assist with shader development and look development tasks as required, building knowledge of OSL and DNEG's shading frameworks over time.
- Support the validation and testing of DCC software versions managed by Core Services, ensuring render engine behaviour is stable before production adoption.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with Render Supervisors and contribute positively to the broader RenderTech team, sharing knowledge and supporting team goals.
- Liaise with artists and TDs across departments — including Model, Texture, Look Development, and FX — to understand rendering considerations and assist in optimising their workflows.
- Collaborate with Pipeline, Core Services, and Product teams as directed by Render Supervisors, contributing a practical production perspective.
- Support exploratory work around ML/AI-based rendering technologies — such as denoising and upscaling — in collaboration with Brahma AI's Advanced Development Group (ADG), under the guidance of senior RenderTech staff.
Who You Are
You are technically capable and intellectually curious, with a genuine interest in rendering, lighting, and pipeline technology. You may be early in your career, but you bring strong foundational skills in Python and a working knowledge of VFX production tools and workflows. You are a clear communicator who enjoys collaborative problem-solving, and you are eager to learn from experienced colleagues in a demanding, high-quality production environment. You take pride in your work, approach challenges methodically, and understand the importance of stability and rigour in a live production pipeline.
Must Have
- A degree or equivalent practical experience in Computer Science, Visual Effects, Technical Direction, or a closely related discipline.
- Solid Python programming skills, with demonstrable experience writing tools, scripts, or pipeline utilities.
- Practical experience with lighting and/or rendering in one or more industry-standard DCCs, such as Houdini/Solaris or Katana.
- Familiarity with path tracing renderers — such as RenderMan or Karma — at a working production or academic level.
- An understanding of lighting and rendering fundamentals, including light transport, shading models, and image formation.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team, translating technical issues clearly for both technical and non-technical colleagues.
- A methodical approach to problem-solving and debugging, with a high degree of attention to detail.
Nice to Have
- Experience or exposure to USD and Hydra-based pipelines.
- Shader writing experience in OSL or C++.
- Render wrangling or render farm experience in a production environment.
- Look development experience in a VFX or animation context.
- C++ programming skills, even at an introductory level.
- Familiarity with software version control systems, automated testing frameworks or CI/CD pipelines.
- Knowledge of or interest in ML/AI applications in rendering, such as denoising or upscaling.
- Experience with relational databases or search technologies (e.g. Elasticsearch).
- Previous experience in a VFX, animation, or games studio environment.
About DNEG
We would not be able to produce award-winning work without our Production Technology department, which is committed to nurturing an inclusive, diverse, and exciting workplace. Our teams have a variety of backgrounds and originate from a number of different countries, working across the globe at the forefront of technology in the industry.
As a Render TD, you will be at the heart of the technical work that brings DNEG's productions to screen — developing your skills alongside some of the most talented rendering and pipeline professionals in the industry, and contributing to the cutting-edge technology that powers the productions of tomorrow.
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