Maya Pipeline Developer (Maya TD)

DIGIC Pictures has been making 3D animated films for more than twenty years.

We are a world-renowned animation studio creating high-impact trailers and cinematics for games, films, and commercials,

We have won numerous prestigious awards and created short films for world-renowned brands such as Call of Duty, Netflix's Love, Death & Robots and Amazon's Secret Level series.

Our team is currently working on several high-profile projects, including the animated film series based on the world-famous card game Magic: The Gathering for Netflix.

Division: DIGIC Animation 

Department: Animation Pipeline Development

Role Title: Maya Pipeline Developer (Maya TD)

Reports To: Lead Pipeline TD / Pipeline Supervisor

Location: Full-time | Remote freelance within ±2h of Budapest (CET)

Please note that DIGIC can only work with freelancers who are registered as sole proprietors/entrepreneurs or as self-employed professionals.

Core Mission 

The Maya Pipeline Developer specializes in developing and maintaining custom tools, scripts, and integrations specifically for Autodesk Maya, serving as the primary technical bridge for the animation,

rigging, and layout teams in the production of 3D animated movies. The Maya Pipeline Developer designs and implements intuitive GUIs, Maya plugins, and automation scripts to eliminate workflow

friction within Maya. While highly focused on Maya development, the Developer will also collaborate with the CG Technology team to ensure seamless integration of Maya tools into the broader studio

pipeline.

Main Tasks

• Engineer robust plugins, scripts, and Qt-based GUIs specifically for Autodesk Maya to automate repetitive artist workflows and enhance production efficiency for animation and rigging.  

• Utilize the Maya API to build high-performance tools and custom nodes, integrating them effectively with core pipeline systems and asset management.  

• Translate artist and production requirements into technical specifications and implement effective software solutions tailored to the Maya environment.  

• Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve critical issues within Maya integrations and artist-facing tools to prevent or minimize production downtime.  

• Author and maintain comprehensive documentation for all deployed Maya tools and conduct technical presentations to ensure proper adoption by production teams.

Main Performance Indicators 

• Quantifiable reduction in manual tasks and friction across artist workflows specifically within Autodesk Maya.  

• High adoption rate, performance, and stability of custom Maya plugins, scripts, and user interfaces.  

• Rapid resolution of critical bugs within Maya integrations and Maya-based production tools.

Expected Skills, Expertise and Competence

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in Maya tool development and pipeline integration in high-end VFX or 3D animation production.  

• Deep technical expertise in Maya tool development, including advanced knowledge of maya.cmds, Maya Python API, and ideally C++. 

• Advanced proficiency in Python and PyQt/PySide for creating robust tools and intuitive user interfaces within Maya.  

• Strong understanding of 3D animation, rigging, and layout workflows and data dependencies within Maya.  

• Ability to interface Maya effectively with core systems developed by the CG Technology team.

• Experience with version control through Git, using automated CICD processes.

• Experience with writing testable and maintainable code and integration tests

Professional Skills & Interfaces

• Cross-Departmental Support: Interfaces directly with animators, riggers, and department leads to diagnose Maya-specific workflow issues and deploy targeted technical solutions.  

• Autonomy & Execution: Capable of independent project ownership, from design to deployment, while strictly adhering to internal coding standards.  

• Communication: Precise technical communication for system documentation and clear articulation of complex Maya tools to both technical and non-technical end-users.

You’ll be part of a forward-looking leadership team shaping how our long-form animation division delivers excellence - creatively, operationally, and culturally. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact while leading a talented team at the forefront of our industry.

• The chance to work on a high-profile projects

• An inspiring professional environment with world-class productions

• Remote work - but working onsite in the office is must at least once a week

• A full-time employment in Hungary or a freelance contract within a European time zone

• A supportive, open-minded team

Please note that DIGIC can only work with freelancers who are registered as sole proprietors/entrepreneurs or as self-employed professionals.