3D Software Developer

Position Overview

SideFX is seeking an exceptional software developer with strong programming skills and a talent for producing high performance, robust software to join its Toronto-based R&D team.

As a member of the SideFX Research and Development group, you would be working with some of the brightest minds in the CG industry. Our R&D team has received many prestigious industry awards, including four Technical Achievement Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an Academy Award of Merit (Oscar®), a Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award from NATAS, and four back-to-back Editor's Choice Innovation Awards from CG World Magazine.

Movies using our toolset have received the Oscar® for Best Visual Effects every year in the past two decades. We share a passion for innovation in computer graphics and a drive for excellence in procedural animation. Providing digital artists with the most advanced tools for their craft is, and has always been, our single focus.

Whether you are research-oriented or development-oriented, we have a great number of exciting projects to choose from. You will have ample opportunity to grow professionally and make significant contributions to the success of our products. You will be constantly in touch with our users in the entertainment industry and with our industry partners. You will be right at the heart of a constantly evolving synergy between technology and art.

• Design, develop and optimize features in the Company’s 2D and 3D software products, including Houdini and Houdini Engine plug-ins.
• Enhance and maintain Houdini’s glTF importer and exporter.
• Support R&D Pipeline Team development areas upon request, including Procedural Dependency Graph (PDG), Houdini Engine API (HAPI) and games tools.
• Ensure a high level of quality and performance in the code architecture and features.
• Debug and fix product deficiencies (bugs).
• Support multiple hardware platforms.
• Work on special projects and other strategic and technical opportunities as may be assigned.
• Maintain up to date knowledge on techniques and current practices in the area of software development, computer science, computer graphics, networking, visual effects and games.
• Assist, as required, in product support or product sales and marketing activities as beneficial to the company and the user community.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Proven professional software development experience using modern C++ and Python.
• Computer Science degree, with a record of academic and professional excellence.
• Extensive 3D graphics knowledge.
• Ability to learn independently, think fast, and use solid judgment.
• Ability to work well independently and in a nimble team environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Positive, professional and flexible demeanor.
• Eagerness to learn and take on new challenges.

• Working knowledge of Houdini, Blender or other 3D digital content creation software.
• Cross-platform development experience.
• Game or film industry experience.
• Relevant contribution to large scale software architecture and development.
• User interface design (workflow, look, and feel).

For almost forty years, SideFX has been at the forefront of providing artists with procedural 3D animation and visual effects tools designed to produce the highest-quality cinematic results. Rooted in production as both artists and pioneering technical innovators, we are passionate about supporting our customers' creative visions.

Used by the world's top film, TV and game studios, Houdini has transformed content creation pipelines with its procedural node-based workflow. Contributing to blockbuster movies such as Frankenstein,…