Senior Engine TD

Role:                      Senior Engine TD

Reports to:            Chief Technical Officer

Location:               Belfast Harbour Studios, Northern Ireland 

Contract Type:      Permanent

Job Reference:      SETDI/11/24

Introduction and Background

Studio Ulster Ltd is a ground-breaking large-scale Virtual Production creative technology company, established in early 2024 and set to launch in Q1, 2025 at Belfast Harbour Studios, just 10 minutes from Belfast City Centre. This £75 m, 75,000 ft² facility will house some of the most advanced virtual production facilities worldwide, including cutting-edge In-Camera Visual Effects (ICVFX) stages, alongside world class Motion Capture stages, 3D/4D Volumetric Scanning stages, and other supporting facilities. This combination of technologies under one roof at this scale is globally unique and provides one of the most advanced virtual production facilities available globally.

Studio Ulster is a strategic partnership with Belfast Harbour Studios, supported by Northern Ireland Screen, and is designed to elevate the commercial studio capability in the UK, Ireland and Europe for real-time visual effects. The complex is also home to the UKRI/AHRC-funded CoSTAR Screen Lab, a creative technologies lab focusing on real-time production, which alone unlocks nearly £11m in research investment.

This world-class facility, housed in a custom-built BREEAM Excellent facility, powered by renewal energy and supported by a highly skilled crew, is in a region renowned for its production excellence, with iconic shows like Game of Thrones made in Northern Ireland. The infrastructure needed for productions of any scale is available on our doorstep drawing productions and companies back to shoot in NI time and time again. 

Aligned with the recent government initiatives under the Creative Industries Sector Vision to grow the UK’s GDP by £50 billion and create one million jobs by 2030, Studio Ulster is poised to attract some of the largest production companies globally, as well as local and national screen industry contracts.

To support the growth and operational excellence of Studio Ulster, we are seeking a Senior Engine TD.

Job Summary

Supervisor of the technical aspects of UE5-based real-time rendering and pre-rendered systems on set. Responsible for incorporating client assets, blueprints and code with material provided by other departments and provides technical support for the team that operates the UE5 system on set and maintains version control for on set assets. This role will additionally assist the CTO with advanced R/D exploration, execution and development.

Key Duties

●       Collaborate with the Virtual Production Supervisor to set up various UE5 levels for in-camera VFX shooting.

●       Supervise the setup, calibration, and operation of UE5 and pre-rendered systems during shooting, and work in pre-production to identify the need for any custom code or blueprints.

●       Coordinate with the Motion Capture Supervisor to ensure the accuracy of real-time tracking data and the integrity of all captured information.

●       Work closely with the VAD or VFX teams to guarantee the quality and consistency of all digital assets.

●       Collaborate with Production and the Virtual Production TD to define, develop, and maintain a colour pipeline that meets production requirements for on-set systems.

●       Partner with all departments to establish on-set workflows, ensuring that all relevant team members have access to the necessary GUI interfaces for their specific roles.

●       Work alongside Lux Machina’s research and development team to lead advancements in display, rendering, hardware, and software innovations.

●       Perform additional tasks as required.

Essential Criteria

●       Capable of managing technically complex tasks while maintaining a positive and efficient attitude under the demands of live action production.

●       Must be proficient in Windows and/or Linux operating systems.

●       Strong troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve issues in complex systems involving computers, rendering, and real-time platforms.

●       Familiar with the workflow and pipelines of visual effects and live-action film production.

●       Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on diplomacy during on-set interactions.

●       Highly detail-oriented, organised, and able to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

●       Highly proficient in Unreal Engine.

●       Expert in pre-rendered virtual production workflows.

●       Solid high level production understanding of Unreal Blueprint.

●       Familiarity with Perforce.

●       Preferred knowledge of C++ and Python programming languages.

●       Understanding of lighting data systems like DMX, Art-Net, and sACN is a plus.

●       Experience in live television and high end film production is preferred.

●       3-5 Years minimum of demonstrable relevant industry-based experience in the field.

Working at Studio Ulster

Studio Ulster offers a competitive salary package that is commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. This package includes a comprehensive benefits suite and bonuses which aligns with the industry standards and reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of our team.

Studio Ulster Ltd is committed to developing all employees and operates a Developmental Appraisal Review (DAR) which is mandatory. You will be required to meet with your line manager at least every year as part of the DAR process. If you have line management responsibility for other staff, you will be required to conduct DAR meetings with your staff at least once every two years.

All staff in Studio Ulster Ltd have a responsibility to comply with the company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Health and Safety Policy. Line Managers have responsibility for ensuring compliance with these Policies within their own area.

We welcome applications from all members of society, irrespective of age, disability, sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, or belief. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

How to apply                               

Apply now if you’re interested in being a part of an innovative new enterprise in the heart of motion picture and television.

Send your CV and a Cover Letter to our team at careers@studioulster.com

Deadline for submissions is Friday 6th December 2024

We look forward to receiving your application