Senior Systems Engineer

Pixar is seeking a skilled systems engineer to join our SCALE (Server, Cloud, and Linux Engineering) team, where you'll manage thousands of Linux workstations and render nodes that enable artists to create Pixar's animated films. As part of the collaborative Systems department, we work closely with other teams to ensure Pixarians have the tools to continue to push the boundaries of animation. You'll tackle diverse problems and implement solutions for our Linux infrastructure. You'll join a team that values creative problem-solving, continuous learning, and elegant solutions to complex challenges. You'll coordinate with other systems teams on performance optimization, device configurations, and render farm efficiency. You'll also partner with our studio tools group and occasionally work directly with show teams when unique challenges arise.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own and optimize Linux infrastructure for thousands of workstations and render nodes that bring our stories to life

• Design and implement solutions that scale across our Linux environment

• Partner with other Systems teams to ensure seamless filmmaking workflows

• Implement creative solutions that secure our assets while keeping artist workflows flowing

• Dive into legacy systems while challenging the long-held assumptions within

• Proactively identify potential issues and implement fixes before they impact artists

• Share on-call responsibilities with a supportive team that has each other's backs

• Run periodic early morning maintenance windows that keep our systems running smoothly

WHAT YOU BRING

• Genuine curiosity about how your work supports the bigger picture of storytelling

• 7+ years wrangling Linux systems at scale (RedHat/CentOS experience particularly valuable)

• A security-minded yet pragmatic approach

• Python and Shell scripting skills that make automation second nature

• Configuration / Infrastructure as code experience (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform, etc)

• A detective's mindset for troubleshooting across hardware, OS, and application layers

• Clear communication skills – you can explain complex issues to both engineers and artists

• Strong work ethic with flexibility to adapt to diverse projects and do whatever's needed in a dynamic filmmaking environment

BONUS POINTS

• Experience with GPU virtualization (NVIDIA vGPU/GRID)

• PCoIP/Teradici remote workstation knowledge

• Kubernetes deployment experience

• Render farm or HPC environment background

• Experience in an Animation or VFX studio environment

WHY PIXAR

At Pixar, you'll tackle meaningful technical challenges while contributing directly to the films that inspire millions. Beyond your technical work, you'll be part of a vibrant community where Pixarians express themselves through art, board games, maker projects, and more—you might find yourself debugging render nodes by day and performing with your band at Pixarpalooza by night.

Our SCALE team offers the perfect blend of autonomy and collaboration. You'll have the freedom to innovate in the Linux space while working closely with other specialized systems teams, forming a supportive ecosystem that keeps Pixar's technology running in a culture where technical innovation and creative expression go hand in hand.

Ready to help us render the impossible? Let's create something amazing together.

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $160,565.00 to $207,790.00 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.