Tech Lead - Pipeline Development

POSITION SUMMARY

BOT VFX, a visual effects services company with global clients, is looking for a Tech Lead – Pipeline Development as a full-time permanent role. The position is preferably based out of Chennai, India.

The Tech Lead – Pipeline Development oversees the technical execution, software architecture, continuous delivery practices, and technical standards across the studio's pipeline engineering group. Reporting directly to the Head of Pipeline, the role ensures that core technical frameworks, internal APIs, and artist-facing tools are designed and configured in a manner that efficiently and predictably enables every part of the delivery workflow.

Whether your background is in Visual Effects, Feature Animation, High-Throughput Media Processing, Enterprise Systems, or Distributed Data Software, the ideal candidate possesses a deep technical background in software engineering coupled with strong system-design and developer-mentorship skills. They should have the leadership ability to translate strategic pipeline vision into modular, high-quality code and maintain operational stability across high-pressure show deliveries.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITY

• Translate architectural roadmaps and high-level designs defined by the Head of Pipeline into detailed technical specifications, modular code, and sprint tasks.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented Python and/or C++ code for core pipeline modules, internal APIs, and tool integrations.
• Enforce established software engineering practices within the development team, including peer code reviews, continuous integration (CI/CD) practices, and unit testing.
• Provide day-to-day tasking, code guidance, and hands-on technical mentorship to Pipeline Developers and Pipeline TDs to elevate team-wide code quality.
• Implement user-friendly graphical interfaces (via PySide/Qt) that translate complex backend logic into intuitive tools for end users.
• Integrate designated open-source technologies (e.g., AYON/OpenPype, USD) and commercial DCC APIs (Nuke, Maya, Houdini) into the production workflow.
• Act as the primary technical contact for developer-level bug fixing and deep code-level troubleshooting during active production cycles.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• At least 8+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 2–3 years in a technical lead, module lead, or senior software engineering role guiding developers.
• Advanced proficiency in Python (Python 3) and/or C++, with a strong command of object-oriented design and software design patterns.
• Hands-on experience building desktop graphical applications using Qt / PySide or equivalent UI frameworks.
• Strong practical experience with Git, automated testing, continuous integration (CI/CD) workflows, REST APIs, and database structures.
• Strong technical background in at least one of the following areas:
• Visual Effects (VFX) or Feature Animation pipeline engineering
• 3D Graphics, Rendering, Simulation, or Image/Video Processing software development
• Enterprise Software Engineering, High-Throughput Media Processing, or Distributed Systems Architecture
• Excellent problem-solving skills, strong PR review habits, and the ability to mentor developers on technical implementation details.

PREFERRED SKILLS(Learnable on the Job)

• Practical experience working with core VFX Digital Content Creation (DCC) APIs (e.g., Nuke, Maya, Houdini).
• Knowledge of standard 3D data exchange formats and scene description frameworks (e.g., Universal Scene Description / USD, Alembic).
• Experience with open-source pipeline architectures (e.g., AYON/OpenPype) or production management databases (ShotGrid/Shotgun, Ftrack).
• Proficiency in Linux development environments and shell scripting.