Position: AI/ML Engineer (VFX Workflow & Infrastructure) Location: Hyderabad, India Role Overview The AI/ML Engineer will spearhead the development and integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions into our VFX production pipeline. You’ll work closely with pipeline developers, production managers, and creative teams to reimagine workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and push the boundaries of innovation in photorealistic rendering, stylized animation, and other CGI processes. This role combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of the demands of a fast-paced VFX/animation studio. Key Responsibilities AI Strategy & Roadmap: Develop and maintain a strategic plan for implementing AI/ML across the VFX pipeline—covering data wrangling, rendering, asset management, animation, and post-production. Identify new approaches to innovate current workflows to increase efficiency and cut down on time. Algorithm & Model Development: Research, design, and implement ML models (e.g., computer vision, generative models, style transfer) that improve artist efficiency, production speed, enhance image quality, or enable new creative possibilities. Optimize models for performance on local GPU/CPU clusters or cloud-based infrastructures. Pipeline Integration & Automation: Collaborate with pipeline engineers to seamlessly integrate AI agents or tools into existing software stacks (e.g., Maya, Houdini, Nuke), ensuring minimal disruption to artists’ workflows. Develop automated solutions for tasks like rotoscoping, clean-up, crowd simulation, environment generation, or facial capture/animation. Infrastructure & Tooling: Architect and maintain robust data pipelines, ensuring the secure collection and organization of high-quality datasets for training AI models. Evaluate and deploy containerization/MLOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow, etc.) for scalable model training, inference, and monitoring. Performance Optimization: Profile model performance, memory usage, and render times; implement optimizations in frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or custom GPU pipelines. Work with DevOps/IT teams to configure and manage dedicated GPU farms or cloud compute resources. Research & Development: Stay updated with state-of-the-art ML/DL techniques, particularly in generative AI, computer vision, and real-time rendering. Introduce emerging methods (e.g., stable diffusion, large language models, neural rendering) to innovate new production techniques. Documentation & Reporting: Create clear technical documentation for AI solutions, ensuring maintainability and scalability. Present progress, insights, and ROI to executive leadership, project stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. Qualifications & Skills Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, or related field. A PhD is a bonus but not mandatory. 5+ years of professional experience in applied machine learning or data science, with at least 2 years in a lead/managerial role. Previous experience in VFX, animation, gaming, or related entertainment industries is a bonus. Programming: Expert-level Python (C++ is a plus). ML Frameworks: Deep understanding of TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, or similar libraries. Computer Vision & Generative Models: Familiarity with CNNs, GANs, autoencoders, stable diffusion, or neural radiance fields. Pipeline Tools: Experience with integration in VFX software (Maya, Houdini, Nuke) and plugin APIs.[Optional] DevOps & MLOps: Comfortable with containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), CI/CD, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). Proven track record of translating production challenges into AI/ML solutions that deliver measurable efficiency gains or cost savings. Experience with model optimization (quantization, pruning) and GPU/CPU performance tuning. Collaboration: Excellent communication to bridge technical and creative teams, explaining complex concepts in clear, accessible language. Leadership: Ability to mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of experimentation and continuous learning. Agility: Adapts quickly to evolving project needs, production pipelines, and new AI techniques. A genuine interest in cinema, animation, or gaming—a plus if you have prior knowledge of the Baahubali IP or similar large-scale IPs. Creativity in applying AI to artistic challenges, from photorealistic digital humans to stylized animated sequences. What We Offer Impactful Role: Shape the future of VFX and animation filmmaking and leave a lasting mark on flagship studio projects. Career Growth: Lead a growing AI team, collaborate with top-tier VFX artists, and gain exposure to cutting-edge tech. Competitive Compensation: Salary, benefits, and potential for performance-based bonuses. Innovative Environment: Access to advanced hardware, robust R&D budget, and the opportunity to experiment with emerging AI trends. Show more Show less