The Lead Software Engineer for Digital Asset Management (DAM) is responsible for leading the design and execution of asset management APIs and underlying database schema in our Autodesk Flow PT backed system and the architecture of a next generation Postrgres backed DAM system with related services and client APIs.
The ideal candidate combines strong programming expertise with deep familiarity in relational databases, service-oriented architecture, distributed systems, and API design. Experience with Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid) and a solid understanding of the animation or visual FX production pipeline are essential.
Job Functions- Lead a small team in architecting, refactoring, and implementing scalable, database-backed asset management and adjacent services to meet evolving production needs.
- Guide and participate in researching, prototyping, and integrating new technologies and third-party solutions for LAIKA’s next-generation digital asset management system.
- Oversee and contribute to the development and optimization of relational database schemas and queries for performance and reliability.
- Collaborate closely with technical directors, developers, and technology leadership to enhance software and workflows within the asset management domain.
- Integrate and evaluate complementary technologies including document, hierarchical, and time-series databases, event and messaging systems, and observability platforms.
- Ensure code quality by leading the development and maintenance of a comprehensive suite of tests for applicable services and APIs.
- Architect and author front-end client APIs in Python to support efficient and consistent integration across teams.
- Leverage appropriate server-side languages (e.g., Go, Rust, Swift) to maximize performance, reliability, and expressiveness.
- Develop and supervise containerized deployments for secure, scalable on-prem and cloud environments.
- Document all applicable systems and APIs, ensuring clarity and usability for both internal team members and downstream clients.
- 5+ years’ experience as a Software Engineer, preferably on large scale productions in VFX, animation, or games..
- Strong understanding of database design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
- Experience with SQL, Postgres, MongoDB and Kafka a plus.
- Expertise in Python including the standard library, Qt Toolkit (PySide/PyQt), and common 3rd party libraries and frameworks.
- Proven experience designing and developing desktop APIs; experience with cloud-native APIs preferred.
- Additional experience with one or more of the following languages: C++, Rust, Go, or Typescript.
- Familiarity with industry-standard platforms such as USD, Maya, Houdini, Katana, and/or Nuke.
- Experience managing software packing in a production,VFX, or animation environment.
- Knowledge of containerization platforms (Docker, Kubernetes, Openshift) and extensive working experience in public cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure).
- Prior experience developing database-backed services strongly preferred.
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.
On-site in Hillsboro, OR, and eligible for hybrid and/or remote work (in CA, OR, or WA only).
SalarySalary is commensurate with skills and experience.
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.
Top Skills
What We Do
LAIKA was founded in 2005 in Oregon and is guided by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® for its innovation in 3D printing in 2016. Its five films - Missing Link (2019); Kubo and the Two Strings (2016); The Boxtrolls (2014); ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009) - were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards as Outstanding Animated Film. Missing Link was the first LAIKA film to win the Golden Globe® for Best Animated Feature and was awarded two Visual Effects Society (VES) awards for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature and Outstanding Animated Character, and received seven Annie Award nominations. Kubo received a second Oscar® nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects and won the BAFTA Award, as well as three Annie Awards, the National Board of Review's Best Animated Feature citation, and 19 regional and critics’ group awards. The Boxtrolls earned Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations and 13 Annie Award nominations, more than any other film that year. ParaNorman garnered BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and GLAAD Media Award nominations, won two Annie Awards, and was cited as the year’s best animated film by 14 critics’ groups. Coraline earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). For more information, visit http://www.LAIKA.com.
