DNEG Careers

Software Developer  – Simulation, FX

DNEG has a long history of creating world-class photorealistic FX, made possible by our use of state-of-the-art simulation and geometry processing technology in the hands of our talented artists. We are looking for developers to join the FX software team and continue our work in pushing the scale and quality possible in production VFX.

FX developers at DNEG work to deliver new and improved technology for the development of physical phenomena such as water, fire, sand, collapsing buildings and the many other forms of animated and static geometry used in production FX. Our developers create and maintain a collection of simulation and geometry tools and their integration into software platforms such as Houdini. We also heavily utilise and contribute to open-source tooling such as OpenVDB, extending the reach of our technology across the industry and beyond.

As an FX software developer at DNEG you will implement tools to both improve existing workflows for physical FX, and create new ones. You will work with production to integrate these into the VFX pipeline and use your knowledge of the latest technology and research to drive the development of these projects from the ground up. Through collaboration with the artists in production you will also develop solutions to problems coming directly from shows and those discovered during their previous production experience.

Tools such as Houdini offer a baseline of flexibility and technical/creative licence to our artists, so it is our FX developers’ responsibility to build on existing technology and offer a deeper technical insight where possible. FX developers should be familiar with the different simulated FX used in VFX (fluids, solid and rigid bodies, grains etc.) as well as the methodologies used to solve these problems. Knowledge of the data structures and discretizations used in FX is similarly important. Software development as an FX developer at DNEG requires a combination of C++, Python and other languages such as Houdini’s VEX.

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about FX, simulation and procedural geometry generation with experience in C++ development and the ability to apply their knowledge to improve the quality and efficiency of our FX workflows.

As well as demonstrating technical skill and initiative, your ability to communicate between technical developers and non-technical artists and end users will help you thrive in this role. We encourage a technically creative attitude and are looking for individuals who are willing and able to bring their own solutions and ideas to the table.

We follow Agile development methodologies and you will work closely with Product Owners and Stakeholders to understand artist needs and deliver bespoke software products. You will have influence in all aspects of the software development life-cycle; designing, supporting and maintaining software as well as integrating tools into our existing pipeline.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing Product Development department, contributing to the technology behind exceptional VFX and Feature Animation work, partnering with smart, creative and versatile teams of technologists and artists.

Must have:

●        Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Maths/Physics or relevant professional experience.

●        Programming experience in C++.

●        Some experience in simulation and/or related geometry processing.

●        Some experience developing for Houdini.

●        Ability to work independently, as part of a team and with artists.

Nice to have:

●        Working experience in the Agile Development model

●        Programming experience in Python.

●        High performance C++ development experience e.g. multithreading, SIMD, GPU, distributed computing.

●        Experience analysing and optimising performance using tools such as Valgrind, VTune. 

●        Experience with open-source projects e.g. OpenVDB.

●        Familiarity with the use and manipulation of particles, meshes and volumes.

●        Experience with software development in Linux/Unix.

A note on Equal Opportunities

We would not be able to produce award-winning work without our Production Technology department, which is committed to nurturing an inclusive, diverse and exciting workplace. Our teams have a variety of backgrounds and originate from a number of different countries, working across the globe at the forefront of technology in the industry.