Software Engineer, Presto Execution Engine

Job ID R-03686 Location Emeryville, California, United States Business Pixar Animation Studios Date posted Nov. 09, 2023

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Job Summary:

Our Software R&D team is responsible for developing Pixar’s in-house and open-source software. Working with both artists and engineers, we build innovative filmmaking tools that enable our film production and continuously extend artistic reach. One of our flagship tools is Presto, Pixar’s Academy Award-winning in-house digital content creation application used on all of our films. We are looking for a Software Engineer to join the team that develops and maintains the execution engine and in-memory scene representation at the heart of Presto. You will collaborate with us in a multi-functional team to extend the feature set and improve the performance of this important software stack, as well as pave the way for its open-source debut in OpenUSD. Are you enthusiastic about software architecture and API design? Do you love writing high-performance and high-quality C++ code, and are you interested in learning how to apply your multithreading and parallel programming skills? If so, we would love to have you on the team!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contribute to world-class 3D graphics software applications and frameworks that enable and support Pixar’s film production
Profile performance-critical code paths and creatively optimize algorithms to enhance interactive user experiences
Demonstrate the drive to root-cause challenges that arise from evolving and modifying software that is heavily exercised in an active production environment
Collaborate with a team of engineers, technical artists, QA, build support and project management
Work closely with other teams to plan and develop user-facing features that help our artists push boundaries, as well as libraries and APIs that enhance the capabilities of our software

QUALIFICATIONS:

Start with a strong understanding of C++ that you continually expand upon. Have exposure to modern C++ and experience with the STL
Take pride and passion in crafting high-quality code with attention to detail, readability and performance in mind
Understand the importance of following good engineering practices, and demonstrate a desire to get to the bottom of complex bugs and behaviors
Build software holistically: From planning and proposal to implementation, testing, optimization and deployment
Find fulfillment in designing and implementing APIs and frameworks that form the foundation of many user-facing workflows across many film production departments
Thrive in a collaborative environment where you exchange knowledge with accomplished technicians, and draw inspiration from amazing artists
Have the ability to listen well and communicate clearly and succinctly
Two or more years of professional experience, and degree in Computer Science (or equivalent education)

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $145,265.00 to $187,990.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

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About Pixar Animation Studios:

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renoinswned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Inside Out,” and “Coco.” Its movies have won 35 Academy Awards® and have grossed more than $13 billion at the worldwide box office to date.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Pixar Inc., which is part of a business we call Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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