The Walt Disney Company
Software Engineer, Characters & Crowds (Applications)
The Walt Disney Company, Emeryville, California, United States, 94608
Software Engineer, Characters & Crowds (Applications)
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Job ID:
R-04000 Location:
Emeryville, California, United States Business:
Pixar Animation Studios Date posted:
Aug. 06, 2025 Job Summary:
Pixar is seeking skilled and enthusiastic engineers to join us in advancing the state of the art in computer animation. We develop and maintain our proprietary and powerful Presto Animation System as well as the industry-defining Universal Scene Description, OpenSubdiv, and Hydra projects for integrating with and extending premier applications such as Maya and Houdini. Pixar offers an exciting and dynamic environment for adaptable and motivated individuals, with several concurrent movies and streaming projects utilizing our latest innovations to push the boundaries of storytelling. If youre passionate about crafting world-class software and collaborating with exceptional artists and engineers, we want to hear from you! This role is to join the Characters and Crowds team in the Software Research & Development department, responsible for tools used to build, articulate, and pose digital actors. Responsibilities include developing algorithms for high-performance geometry deformation and visualization, creating user experiences for artists, and pipeline tools for efficient collaboration. The team works directly with artists of varying technical backgrounds, requiring initiative and communication skills to identify and resolve issues within a large codebase. Projects range from individual efforts to large-scale initiatives involving multiple technical teams. Requirements:
Desire to work closely with users in a creative environment Familiarity with graphics concepts such as subdivision, tessellation, mesh topology, bounding hierarchies, and parametric deformation Knowledge of geometric operations like basis evaluation, surface/curve parameterization, and projection Strong problem-solving skills and excellent verbal and written communication, with high attention to detail Proficiency in C++ with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience Appreciation for long-term code health, peer review, automated testing, and documentation Ability to balance rapid delivery with long-term quality Willingness to work in a hybrid model Advantageous Skills:
Experience programming high-performance software Experience with multithreaded and GPU programming Familiarity with USD, OpenSubdiv, or Hydra Development experience with 3D content creation tools like Maya or Houdini Knowledge of Python scripting Experience with UNIX/Linux environments The salary range for this position in Emeryville is $160,565 to $207,790 annually. Actual offers depend on internal equity, geographic location, skills, and experience. About Pixar Animation Studios:
Pixar, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award-winning studio known for its innovative technical, creative, and production capabilities in computer animation. Its films, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and others, have won 35 Academy Awards and grossed over $13 billion worldwide. About The Walt Disney Company:
Disney is a leading global entertainment enterprise with segments like Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. It has a rich history of creating beloved stories and characters, operating in over 40 countries with a commitment to storytelling excellence. This position is with Pixar Inc., part of Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. Disney fosters an inclusive culture where diverse ideas and decisions help us grow and innovate. Disability Accommodation:
If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com. This address is for accommodation requests only, not general inquiries. We respond solely to accessibility requests related to the application process. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Apply Now Apply Later
Job ID:
R-04000 Location:
Emeryville, California, United States Business:
Pixar Animation Studios Date posted:
Aug. 06, 2025 Job Summary:
Pixar is seeking skilled and enthusiastic engineers to join us in advancing the state of the art in computer animation. We develop and maintain our proprietary and powerful Presto Animation System as well as the industry-defining Universal Scene Description, OpenSubdiv, and Hydra projects for integrating with and extending premier applications such as Maya and Houdini. Pixar offers an exciting and dynamic environment for adaptable and motivated individuals, with several concurrent movies and streaming projects utilizing our latest innovations to push the boundaries of storytelling. If youre passionate about crafting world-class software and collaborating with exceptional artists and engineers, we want to hear from you! This role is to join the Characters and Crowds team in the Software Research & Development department, responsible for tools used to build, articulate, and pose digital actors. Responsibilities include developing algorithms for high-performance geometry deformation and visualization, creating user experiences for artists, and pipeline tools for efficient collaboration. The team works directly with artists of varying technical backgrounds, requiring initiative and communication skills to identify and resolve issues within a large codebase. Projects range from individual efforts to large-scale initiatives involving multiple technical teams. Requirements:
Desire to work closely with users in a creative environment Familiarity with graphics concepts such as subdivision, tessellation, mesh topology, bounding hierarchies, and parametric deformation Knowledge of geometric operations like basis evaluation, surface/curve parameterization, and projection Strong problem-solving skills and excellent verbal and written communication, with high attention to detail Proficiency in C++ with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience Appreciation for long-term code health, peer review, automated testing, and documentation Ability to balance rapid delivery with long-term quality Willingness to work in a hybrid model Advantageous Skills:
Experience programming high-performance software Experience with multithreaded and GPU programming Familiarity with USD, OpenSubdiv, or Hydra Development experience with 3D content creation tools like Maya or Houdini Knowledge of Python scripting Experience with UNIX/Linux environments The salary range for this position in Emeryville is $160,565 to $207,790 annually. Actual offers depend on internal equity, geographic location, skills, and experience. About Pixar Animation Studios:
Pixar, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award-winning studio known for its innovative technical, creative, and production capabilities in computer animation. Its films, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and others, have won 35 Academy Awards and grossed over $13 billion worldwide. About The Walt Disney Company:
Disney is a leading global entertainment enterprise with segments like Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. It has a rich history of creating beloved stories and characters, operating in over 40 countries with a commitment to storytelling excellence. This position is with Pixar Inc., part of Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. Disney fosters an inclusive culture where diverse ideas and decisions help us grow and innovate. Disability Accommodation:
If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com. This address is for accommodation requests only, not general inquiries. We respond solely to accessibility requests related to the application process. #J-18808-Ljbffr