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Software Engineer, R&D, Blizzard Animation - Irvine Onsite Preferred, but Open to Remote

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Job Description:

At Blizzard, we take pride in the infinite care and detail put into every aspect of our games and cinematics that we deliver to our players. Blizzard Animation, which creates the Cinematics that breathe life into the various Blizzard Franchises, is seeking an inventive software engineer for our R&D Team. In this position, you will be responsible for creating software tools/workflows for numerous back-end departments such as effects, look-development, lighting, and rendering for all Blizzard Cinematic projects. Specifically, we are looking for an experienced software engineer to help develop custom software tools, maintain/augment existing tools to support these departments and their asset/data flow needs. We use industry standard software such as Houdini, Katana, Renderman to light and render our 3D worlds with animated characters, environments, and simulation effects. The ideal candidate needs to be fluent in software engineering practices, conversant with C++/Python, and knowledgeable about lighting/renderings workflows in the vfx/animation industry. You will need to partner with the creative artists and fellow R&D/TD engineers to build tools that scale our production processes.

This is a full-time position at our Blizzard central office in Irvine, California. However, we are also open to full remote for this position.

Responsibilities

• Develop 3D effects, lighting, and rendering software tools/workflows as well as maintain existing software tools in that domain for production.
• Partner with production artists to understand production requirements and workflows, propose and implement software tools.
• Maintain and Improve efficiencies of tools for our lighting, rendering and compositing pipelines which involve pre-rendered cinematics as well as in-game cinematics.
• Help maintain and upgrade software deployments, SDK upgrades, development environments for fx/lighting/rendering related workflows.

Requirements

• A minimum of three to four years’ experience in the VFX/Animation industry with a strong understanding of at least one of FX, 3D lighting, rendering workflows. Under exceptional cases, experience may be substituted for Advanced College degree in Computer Science (or equivalent) provided the coursework, thesis work demonstrates expertise focused on 3D computer graphics technologies related to this job description.
• Demonstrated programming experience in C++ and Python with the ability to extend commercial APIs for standard industry software eg Houdini, Katana, Renderman, Nuke.
• Experience with 3D computer graphic setups as they relate to fx, rendering, lighting, and compositing with demonstrated software programming projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for programming and software development on Linux & Windows.

Pluses

• Real production experience with VFX or animation pipelines for movies/games with software tools developed in any of the following – Katana, Renderman, Houdini Autodesk Maya.
• Familiarity with any common vfx platform libraries – openEXR, OpenVDB, Alembic, USD.
• An understanding of how technology empowers artists.

Required Application Materials

• Resume (PDF)
• Cover Letter which should include:
  • Why are you interested in working at Blizzard?
  • Indicate why you might be passionate about 3D animation, visual effects, or gaming!

Job Status : Fulltime/Staff

Blizzard Entertainment is a global company committed to growing our employees along with the business. We offer generous benefits and perks with an eye on providing true work / life balance. We’ve worked hard to foster an intensely collaborative and creative environment, a diverse and inclusive employee culture, and training and opportunity for professional growth. Our people are everything. Our core values are real, and our mission has never changed. We are dedicated to creating the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Join us!

COVID-19 Hiring Update: We’ve transitioned to a work-from-home model and we’re continuing to interview and hire during this time. This role is expected to begin as a remote position. We understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore possible interim options. Blizzard Entertainment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Blizzard Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against based on disability .