Data & Render Wrangling Technician

General Summary
The Data & Render Wrangling Technician ensures the efficient functioning of rendering and data storage resources. The Data & Render Wrangling Technician will be responsible for monitoring and controlling the rendering process, digital files, CG image quality control, and managing operations of a render farm for the studio during deadline-driven feature production.  

Job Functions 

• In consultation with the Render Wrangling Supervisor and VFX Production Management team, prioritize the render queue and appropriately allocate resources to ensure that rendering schedules are met.
• Monitor rendering quality and quantity by assessing render submissions for optimization, making corrections when needed, and troubleshooting any potential problems; consult with supervisors and leads concerning approaches, issues, and solutions.
• Monitor render farm performance to ensure there are no technical or machine problems which might interfere with a successful output of VFX imagery; respond to errors by diagnosing, identifying, resolving, and escalating as necessary.
• Work with other departments across the studio for secure movement, conversions, and distribution of assets and files.
• Inspect and confirm the integrity of media before it leaves the department, including providing quality control (QC) for media intended for a wide audience.
• Monitor disk and server status, estimating usage to ensure availability of resources; communicate with the Technology team when render farm needs attention.
• Support VFX artists by alerting them of farm submission errors and identify potential inefficiencies.
• Troubleshoot rendering issues and create documentation in YouTrack ticketing system. 

Qualifications 

• 2+ years of experience as a render/data wrangler or customer/technical support in a CG Animation, VFX, or other IT environment or equivalent training or education.
• 1-2+ years knowledge of and experience in data management, data integrity, and naming conventions.
• Highly organized problem solver with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• A helpful, customer-service attitude coupled with the ability to multi-task and manage tight deadlines from multiple sources; ability to communicate in both a technical and artistic manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required for communicating with the team, management, and other departments.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, open to direction, and responsive to changing production needs with calm professionalism.
• Ability to learn new software quickly and learn on the job as necessary.
• Basic technical understanding of digital workflows and terminology in a feature film environment; VFX/animation/post-production experience, a plus.
• Knowledgeable in LINUX/UNIX, Windows, and Mac environments.
• Preferred skills include scripting/programming in Python or similar languages, familiarity with Linux command line, as well as basic familiarity with one or more key production software programs such as Maya, RenderMan, Nuke, Katana, or Houdini; ShotGrid, RV, and Hiero experience, a plus.  

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.  

Location 
On-site in Hillsboro, OR 
Salary 
Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Please review our EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER and MATERIALS SUBMISSION AGREEMENT.