Staff Workflow Engineer

This role bridges traditional pipeline engineering with emerging machine learning technologies. This role understands real-world production constraints and can translate cutting-edge AI capabilities into scalable, secure, production-ready solutions. You will report to the Director, Workflow Innovation within Motion Pictures Technologies in Burbank, CA.

Role & Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and deploy end-to-end workflows supporting VFX, post-production, and emerging virtual production pipelines
• Integrate DCC applications (e.g., Nuke, Maya, Houdini) into automated and scalable systems
• Develop tools, APIs, and services that improve efficiency, quality, and cost
• Create proof-of-concept environments to simulate real production scenarios
• Document standards and best practices for operational adoption
• Evaluate, test, and integrate AI/ML models into production workflows
• Build and deploy ML pipelines (training, fine-tuning, inference, optimization)
• Work with foundation models (vision, audio, multimodal) and adapt them for production use.
• Optimize model performance for GPU environments and render farm deployment
• Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to transition research models into usable production tools
• Develop scalable backend services in Python and related frameworks
• Work with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Integrate GPU compute, render farms, and hybrid cloud/on-prem infrastructure
• Implement logging, monitoring, and performance profiling
• Ensure security, compliance, and data governance standards are upheld
• Partner with production, engineering, R&D, and operations teams
• Translate production pain points into technical solutions.
• Present findings, demos, and technical documentation to stakeholders
• Provide ongoing support during rollout and implementation.

As the Staff Workflow Engineer AIML, you have deep experience in production pipelines and hands-on AI/ML engineering expertise to design, prototype, and productionize next-generation workflows for filmmaking., * Bachelor’s degree in Visual Effects, Digital Arts, Computer Graphics, Animation, Computer ScienceEngineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• 7+ years of experience in production pipeline engineering, technical direction, workflow engineering, or a related VFX discipline.
• Deep expertise with Nuke in a production environment.
• Deep understanding of VFX production workflows, including HDR media, color management, stereo workflows, and versioning.
• Experience integrating and supporting digital content creation (DCC) tools such as Maya, Houdini, or similar platforms.
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with ComfyUI or similar AI workflow tools.
• Experience deploying machine learning models for inference in production environments.
• Familiarity with GPU acceleration and performance optimization.
• Experience with containerization, CI/CD workflows, and modern engineering practices.
• Strong systems-thinking skills with the ability to balance creative and technical requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, implement, and productionize emerging technologies.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in research and development environments with evolving requirements and ambiguity.
• Passion for applying emerging AI technologies to filmmaking, content creation, and artist workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering
• Experience building custom Nuke gizmos or automation scripts.
• Knowledge of media frameworks (FFmpeg, GStreamer, OpenColorIO).
• Experience with multimodal models (vision-language, video generation)
• Experience with cloud ML platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Familiarity with large-scale storage systems (NVMe, object storage).
• Experience supporting stereo or immersive workflows.
• Knowledge of render farm orchestration tools (Deadline, OpenCue, etc.).

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $158,100.00-$211,900.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

It’s the magic of immersing yourself in a motion picture masterpiece, or a new track from your favorite band, or the spectacle of a live Broadway show. It’s hard to define and even harder to create, but that’s what we do at The Walt Disney Studios. Ours is a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. We raise the bar, then step over it, blazing trails through the production and distribution of world class entertainment around the globe. If you want to help, tell compelling, enduring stories through movies, music, or stage plays, then we want to hear from you.

As part of the Studio Technology organization, you will join a group of seasoned technologists dedicated to solving a range of creative problems through innovation, strategy, and forward thinking. This role sits within the Motion Picture technologies at Walt Disney Studios, which is a group of specialty film making labs in Production Technology providing production services, research, development, innovation, and support required for civilized filmmaking.