Pipeline Developer Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MetaBull is an AI-native production technology company building advanced software, production systems, and automation infrastructure for animation, CGI, 2D/3D content, and XR workflows. Unlike tools that retrofit AI features onto legacy workflows, MetaBull builds AI-native infrastructure from the ground up, placing an artist-first philosophy at the center of everything we build. Our technology reduces repetitive, manual production tasks so creative teams can focus on storytelling, iteration, and final quality.

MetaBull Labs is the production, experimentation, and applied-technology arm of MetaBull. Labs operates at the intersection of creative execution, AI research, and pipeline development, testing emerging workflows, running pilot projects, and translating experimental technology into practical production pipelines for real-world animation and content creation.

MetaBull Labs is seeking a highly organized, tech-oriented AI Pipeline & Production Manager to support the Head of Production in managing the operational execution of advanced CGI, 2D/3D animation, and AI-assisted production workflows across emerging technologies.

This is a hands-on opportunity for a software-forward candidate to work directly with advanced AI technologies, production automation systems, artist-first tools, and next-generation animation workflows. You do not need to be a senior engineer, but you must be detail-oriented, comfortable with production data, and eager to become a domain expert in AI-enabled creative pipelines.

• Support the Head of Production in managing day-to-day production operations, testing schedules, and internal planning across creative, technical, and operational teams.
• Translate production goals into clear tasks, test plans, schedules, decision logs, and deliverables.
• Track progress across tools, assets, tests, vendors, and internal workflows to keep production moving smoothly.

• Hands-on testing and evaluation of AI, automation, CGI, and production pipeline tools across layout, rendering, compositing, and asset ingestion.
• Capture practical feedback from artists, producers, and Technical Directors (TDs) to identify tool limitations, setup friction, and production readiness.
• Serve as a bridge between creative needs and technical implementation, ensuring AI tools support artist control rather than replacing creative judgment.

• Coordinate ingestion, organization, conversion, and testing of production assets, including 3D models, rigs, scenes, animation data, image sequences, and audio/video files.
• Test asset workflows across standard production tools (such as Maya, Blender, USD, FBX, Alembic, EXR) and internal MetaBull platforms.
• Identify technical friction points, compatibility issues, missing data, and workflow bottlenecks before they impact delivery timelines.

• Help evaluate third-party software, AI tools, production platforms, and pipeline utilities.
• Coordinate vendor onboarding, software access, test licenses, demos, documentation, sandbox environments, and technical reviews.
• Maintain a structured software and workflow evaluation matrix covering capabilities, limitations, pricing, ease of use, legal/IP considerations, and production readiness.
• Track lessons learned from tool testing and help convert findings into actionable recommendations.

• Benchmark workflow performance, tracking time saved, quality issues, setup effort, and revision cycles across new AI tools.
• Maintain a structured evaluation matrix for third-party software, AI tools, and vendors (covering capabilities, limitations, pricing, ease of use, legal/IP considerations, and production readiness).
• Coordinate vendor onboarding, software access, test licenses, and sandbox environments.
• Produce clear documentation, workflow diagrams, and executive summaries to help MetaBull Labs capture lessons learned and scale successful workflows.

• 2–4+ years of experience in animation, CGI production coordination, technical coordination, pipeline support, or production management.
• Pipeline Knowledge: Familiarity with 2D/3D production pipelines (layout, animation, lighting, rendering, compositing, or post-production).
• Software & Formats: Familiarity with tools such as Maya, Blender, ShotGrid/Flow, Toon Boom, Houdini, Nuke, or USD-based workflows, and formats like USD, FBX, Alembic, EXR, ProRes, and JSON.
• Technical Curiosity: Deep interest in AI/ML tools, generative media, motion transfer, AI-assisted rendering, production automation, and emerging technologies.
• Basic understanding of software workflows, APIs, cloud tools, or production databases is a plus.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to summarize complex technical findings clearly for non-technical stakeholders.

• Positive, curious, and practical view of AI and emerging technology.
• Strong belief that technology should empower artists, not replace creative judgment.
• Artist-First Philosophy: Strong conviction that technology should empower human creators and enhance artistic judgment, not replace it.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-evolving startup environment where tools, workflows, and goals shift rapidly.
• Detail-Oriented & Data-Driven: Able to turn ambiguity into clear next steps, tracking qualitative and quantitative results methodically.

• Shape the Future of Media: Help define how AI, automation, and artist-first tools are practically applied in professional animation.
• Hands-on AI Exposure: Work directly with emerging AI technologies, pipeline automation systems, and real-world creative use cases.
• High-Growth Opportunity: Join an early-stage production technology team with pathways into senior technical production or leadership roles.
• Cross-Disciplinary Impact: Collaborate with producers, artists, engineers, and AI specialists in a fast-moving, ego-free culture.