Animation Pipeline Director - Fixed Term
Zack D. Films is hiring an experienced animation pipeline director in search of their next challenge. This is initially a fixed term contractor role with the option to become permanent if successful.
About the Role
The Animation Pipeline Director will design and deploy a modular, high-efficiency pipeline for short-form animation with 48–72-hour production cycles. This role is equal parts technical director, team builder, and process optimizer. You will not only build the tools and processes but also recruit, hire, and onboard the specialist artists needed to run the pipeline. You'll start with a lean test on one series, measure the impact, and lead a staged rollout if the pilot succeeds. You will be building this pipeline alongside and separately to our existing animation machine, where we currently use generalists (you will use specialists). What You’ll Do
- Pipeline Design & Rollout
- Architect a streamlined 3-stage pipeline: Layout/Blocking → Character Animation → Lighting/LookDev/Render+Comp.
- Build lightweight tooling in Blender, Maya, and related software using open formats (USD, FBX, Alembic).
- Integrate tracking (ShotGrid, Kitsu) and version control (Perforce, Git-LFS) to enable fast, reliable artist handoffs.
- Document SOPs and create a repeatable playbook for pipeline operation and scaling.
- Integrate AI wherever it makes sense to optimise processes without compromising on quality.
- Specialist Team Building
- Recruit and build a roster of freelance and contract specialists for key roles (e.g., character animators, lighters/finishers).
- Source talent via communities like AnimChallenge, The Rookies, and ArtStation job boards.
- Evaluate candidates through trial gigs and performance benchmarks tied to throughput and quality.
- Onboard and train specialists to follow the pipeline and quality standards.
- Production & Process Leadership
- Optimize workflows to meet or exceed throughput and quality benchmarks.
- Track real-time metrics: seconds-per-day, revision rates, and scrap/rework costs.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and continuously refine the process for speed and scalability.
- Pilot Execution & Results Measurement
- Deliver a working pipeline prototype and run 4 full production cycles during the 6–8 week pilot.
- Hit or exceed key success metrics:
- ≥15% reduction in scrap/rework hours.
- Throughput matching or exceeding current “all-star” benchmarks by week 4.
- Net cost-per-second at or below the current average within 8 weeks.
Prepare a detailed post-mortem to guide go/no-go scaling decisions.
- 5+ years in pipeline engineering, technical direction, or production technology leadership for animation or VFX.
- Deep experience with Blender and Maya in a production setting.
- Familiarity with fast-turnaround rendering workflows
- Previous experience sourcing and hiring freelance animation talent.
- Comfort with AI tools both creative and administrative
Bonus Skills
- Experience in short-form production pipelines (YouTube, advertising, social media, etc.).
- Familiarity with USD pipelines and modern production formats.
- Understanding of lookdev, lighting, and compositing for stylized, fast-rendering content.
- Experience managing small, distributed production teams.
Success Metrics
- Functional prototype pipeline + documented SOPs delivered in 6–8 weeks.
- Measurable productivity improvements in the pilot team: scrap/rework ↓15%, throughput ≥15s/day.
- Built a scalable, reliable roster of freelance specialists ready for ongoing work.
- Clear financial case for broader studio rollout (EBITDA margin improvement, lower revision costs).
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