Netflix Animation studio | Technical Director, Sydney 2026

Job Overview

The Role: Technical Visionary for Performance

In the context of feature animation, “Performance” encompasses the movement, staging, and layout of our characters and environments. As a Performance TD, you are considered a technical expert in these domains. You don’t just fix bugs; you anticipate future technical directions and collaborate with R&D teams to design standardized, scalable workflows that empower artists to do their best work.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Architecture & Development

• Workflow Design: Understand production requirements and design procedures, techniques, and tools to meet them.

• Code Excellence: Design, develop, and maintain high-quality, maintainable code using Python and PyQt.

• Complex Problem Solving: Track and resolve the most challenging technical issues within the Performance department in partnership with Lead and Supervising TDs.

• QA & Validation: Drive technical testing and validation of new tool releases to ensure artist workflows remain uninterrupted and optimized.

2. Strategic Planning & Scheduling

• Estimates & Bidding: Work with the Supervising TD to prepare time estimates and pitches for new technical initiatives.

• Project Prioritization: Break down complex technical projects into organized parts and ensure milestones are met.

• Scope Management: Monitor the scope of development initiatives and adjust estimates as technical requirements evolve.

3. Leadership & Mentorship

• Team Guidance: Provide day-to-day technical support to mid-level TDs, acting as a mentor and escalation point.

• Skill Development: Collaborate with Technology Talent Management to help elevate the technical abilities of the broader team.

• Onboarding: Assist in the orientation of senior new starters to ensure they are integrated into the Netflix pipeline efficiently.

4. Communication & Collaboration

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Communicate technical ideas, rollout plans, and requirements to Program Managers and Senior Software Engineers.

• Documentation: Maintain high standards for written specifications, tickets, and status updates.

Requirements: What You’ll Need

To be successful in this role, you must possess a rare blend of software engineering discipline and a deep appreciation for the film creation process.

• Experience: 5+ years of proven pipeline TD experience in large-scale animated features or high-end VFX.

• Technical Mastery: Expert knowledge of Python and PyQt. A solid understanding of C++ and USD (Universal Scene Description) is highly advantageous.

• Software Proficiency: Comprehensive experience troubleshooting in Maya, Houdini, and Nuke.

• Pipeline Logic: Strong understanding of data flow, dependencies, metadata, and retrieval systems. Proficiency with Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid) and Git/GitHub.

• Education: A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Animation, Math, Physics, or equivalent work experience.

Industry Demographics and Diversity Statistics (2025-2026)

Netflix Animation Studios recognizes that technical departments in the film industry have historically lacked diversity. We are committed to changing this narrative. To provide transparency regarding the current state of the industry, here are the demographic trends we are actively working to address within the Technical Direction and Software Engineering sectors of Animation:

1. Gender Representation in Technical Direction

While gender parity is improving in artistic roles, Technical Direction remains male-dominated globally.

• Global Average: Approximately 18% to 22% of Technical Directors in Feature Animation identify as female or non-binary.

• Netflix Goal: We are actively aiming to surpass these industry averages through targeted mentorship for mid-level female TDs.

2. Racial and Ethnic Diversity (Global Data)

Technical roles within major studios (US and Australia combined) show the following approximate distributions:

• White/Caucasian: 58%

• Asian/Asian-Pacific: 26%

• Hispanic/Latino: 9%

• Black/African Descent: 4%

• Indigenous/Other: 3% In Sydney, we are particularly focused on increasing representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our technical workforce.

3. Professional Backgrounds

Technical Directors come from varied academic backgrounds. In our current teams:

• 65% hold degrees in Computer Science or Engineering.

• 25% transition from Artistic roles (Layout/Animation) with self-taught technical skills.

• 10% come from Math or Physics backgrounds.

Benefits of Joining Netflix Sydney

We offer a competitive package designed to support your lifestyle and professional growth:

• Health: Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus mental health support.

• Future: Retirement programs and family-forming benefits (including support for various paths to parenthood).

• Flexibility: Our hybrid model requires a minimum of 3 days in the office, providing a balance between collaborative onsite work and remote productivity.

• Culture: We operate with a philosophy of “Freedom and Responsibility,” valuing inclusion, candor, and technical excellence.

Inclusion at Netflix

Inclusion is more than a value; it is a necessity for creating films that resonate globally. We celebrate diversity in all forms—race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and military service. If you require any accommodations during the interview process, we are committed to providing them.