Description
Company Profile
For over thirty years, SideFX has been providing artists with procedural 3D animation and visual effects tools designed to produce the highest-quality cinematic results. We are passionate about what our customers do because our roots are in production, both as artists and as pioneering technical innovators. SideFX has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science several times for its flagship software product Houdini and its seminal procedural-based technology.
Houdini is used by the world’s top film, TV, and game studios to create blockbuster movies such as Black Panther and Moana, captivating TV shows like American Gods and Games of Thrones, and hit video games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Mafia III. Our customers include Disney Feature Animation, Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta Digital, Blue Sky, Electronic Arts, Microsoft Game Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, and many more.
Position Overview
SideFX is seeking an exceptional software developer with Unreal Engine (UE4) development skills to join its Toronto-based R&D team.
As a member of the SideFX Research and Development group, you will be working with the brightest minds in the CG industry in developing our Houdini Engine plugin for UE4. Houdini Engine is used extensively in games pipelines today to create large open worlds, FX, and much more. Our R&D team, has received many prestigious industry awards, including four Technical Achievement Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an Academy Award of Merit (Oscar®), a Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award from NATAS, and four back-to-back Editor's Choice Innovation Awards from CG World Magazine. Movies using our toolset have received the Oscar® for Best Visual Effects every year in the past two decades.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Designing, developing and optimizing features of the Company’s 2D and 3D animation software products (including Houdini Engine, UE4 plugin for Houdini Engine, and Houdini) using C++ programming language (and other languages as required, such as Python and VEX).
- Ensuring a high level of quality and performance in the developed code architecture and features.
- Debugging and fixing product deficiencies (bugs).
- Supporting multiple hardware platforms.
- Working on special projects and other strategic and technical opportunities as may be assigned.
- Maintaining up to date knowledge on techniques and current practices in the area of software development, computer science, computer graphics, visual effects and games.
- Assisting, as required, in product support or product sales and marketing activities as beneficial to the interest of the company.
- Traveling on Company business to participate on various events, sales calls, presentations, meeting and other activities (not expected to exceed 15% of the time).
- Seeking opportunities to protect the company’s intellectual property through the identification of patentable innovations and through the filing of patents.
- Participating, in conferences (e.g. Siggraph and GDC) in the form of papers, panels, sketches, courses, etc., to enhance the company’s reputation as a leading innovator in computer graphics, visual effects, and games.
- Ensuring a high level of cooperation and collaboration with peers and managers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience
- Computer Science degree or equivalent industry experience, with a record of academic and professional excellence.
- Solid knowledge and experience working with UE4.
- Strong knowledge of games pipelines and workflows.
- Strong knowledge of C++ programming.
- Ability to learn independently, think fast, and use solid judgement.
- Ability to draw from varied technologies and innovate at a fast rate.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work well independently and in a nimble team environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
Bonus Skills
- Experience in the film or game industry.
- Relevant contribution to large scale software architecture and development.
- Multi-threaded, multi-platform development and optimization.
- User interface design (workflow, look, and feel).
- Experience with lighting and rendering software.
- Proficient in Python/HOM, OpenCL, CUDA, GLSL.
- Working knowledge of OS X programming.
- Familiarity with Houdini or related software.
- Machine Learning experience.
Location
Our transit-friendly head office location, directly adjacent to Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto, is open-concept with a relaxed style that includes, casual dress, and wraparound views from the 14th floor.
Side Effects Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Accommodation will be provided, upon request.