THE THIRD FLOOR is the world’s leading visualization company with offices in Los Angeles and London as well as on location with productions around the world. Since 2004, the studio has helped clients visualize and maximize content by producing computer-animated blueprints, known as “previsualizations”. The Third Floor is a fun, creative company founded by artists, for artists. We work on extremely high-profile projects, while maintaining a small studio culture. The company has won multiple Emmy and VES awards for its work. Recent projects include WandaVision and Hawkeye, Wonder Woman 1984, The Mandalorian, and many more.

The Render Engineer will work closely with the Creative Director, Supervisor, TDs, and department leads to balance long-term development projects with day-to-day production support. They will develop new shading models, materials, and realtime compositing techniques, and work on innovative technology built from the ground up to be incredibly fast and scalable without compromising the final image quality. This is a show-embedded role, allowing for significant creative control and expression as a key contributor to The Third Floor’s unique visual style for feature animation.

Full Time. Remote Position. Must be in the state of California, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York (Outside NYC), Colorado, Washington, or Canada for remote positions.

Responsibilities:

• Optimization and expansion of in-house realtime compositing workflows built in Unreal Engine
• Collaborate and consult on look development, workflow guidance, and shader usage with technical artists and show leadership
• Research and develop highly art-directable materials and texture procedurals
• Technical shader development and support, optimizing code and algorithms to maximize graphics quality and performance

Essential Skills:

• BA in Computer Science focusing on graphics or rendering
• 5+ years of professional development experience in CG, games or other graphics-intensive areas
• Experience with forward/deferred rendering in Unreal Engine
• Experience with Graphics APIs: OSL, RSL
• Experience with Houdini / VEX
• Confident with C++ in Unreal Engine
• Experience with Python programming
• Experience with realtime optimization

Desired Additional Skills:

• Highly organized with excellent time/project management skills
• Familiarity with film lighting and compositing techniques
• Familiarity with Nuke or a similar compositing software
• Experience with non-photoreal rendering techniques such as cel/toon shading
• Experience with post-process filters
• Ability to work within a team towards a common goal

The pay scale is between $25 - $65 / hour based on experience, skillset and other factors. Additional TTF benefits: Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision), Sick Time, 401k (staff only), PTO (staff only), and additional Perks & Benefits.

U.S. & Canada Applicants only: TTF participates in E-Verify and we will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All documents provided for proof of work authorization must be current and unexpired. We cannot accept expired proof of identity.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, TTF is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.