Technical Director Pre-Production - Netflix Animation Studios

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us!

The Pre-Production Technical Director is responsible for supporting creative and visual objectives through pipeline troubleshooting, user support, technical direction, and tool development for front-end craft groups, including Story, Edit, Art, Concept, Design, Visual Development, and Previs. As a technical expert, the Pre-Production Technical Director exhibits a deep understanding of processes, technology, and tools within these domains. They contribute technical expertise to the design and development of artist workflows and tools, ensuring that the pre-production process is efficient and integrated with the overall production pipeline.

* Understand the visual requirements for productions and suggest new technologies, or design procedures, techniques, and tools to meet these requirements.

* Provide technical expertise and guidance for all technology within the Pre-Production department.

* Contribute to the direction, evolution, and maintenance of the technology within the Pre-Production Department.

* Design, develop, and write well-maintainable and consistently high-quality code.

* Track and resolve the most complex technical issues within Pre-Production in partnership with other TDs and Software Engineers.

* Work closely with other TDs and Software Engineers within Pre-Production to drive the technical success of key development initiatives.

* Ensure that technology, tools, and procedures within the Pre-Production Craft Group support the creative process.

* Provide solutions to visual problems through existing tools or by leading the implementation of new tools.

* Take responsibility for the troubleshooting and optimization of Pre-Production tools, software, and workflows.

* Actively drive the QA, technical testing, and validation of new technology, tool releases, or pipeline changes, ensuring artist workflow is not impacted.

* Understand the processes of adjoining departments and provide input where required to maximize pipeline efficiency and quality.

* Actively participate in brainstorming and problem-solving, contributing technical expertise and insight to create and maintain technology within the canonical production pipeline.

* Support the organization’s overall technical goals as required.

* Be aware of the deadlines for own development initiatives and actively engage in keeping these on track.

* Continuously monitor the scope of the most technically challenging development initiatives within the Pre-Production department and help to ensure scope adjustments have additional estimates, etc.

* Prioritize and break down technical projects into organized parts.

* Work with the Supervising TD to prepare estimates and pitches as required.

* Work with the Supervising TD for Front-End to provide technical guidance to Pre-Production TDs with day-to-day issues and escalate through the right channels when necessary.

* Work with Technology Talent Management and Supervising TDs to help further develop the skills and abilities of mid-level TDs within the Front End Craft Group.

* Mentor mid-level TDs within the team and assist in orientation with senior new starters.

* Create synergies between different work groups to promote efficiency and optimization and to generate innovative ideas and approaches to how we do things.

Communication Collaboration & Relationship Development Responsibilities:

* Strong communication skills for technical ideas, project status, problems, requirements, rollout plans, etc.

* Able to communicate with Program Managers to contribute to the