Senior Software Developer

About the Company

Folks is a boutique studio driven by artists, renowned in the visual effects industry for detail-focused design and creative teamwork. For over a decade, their experienced artists, located in various global hubs including Mumbai, London, Montreal, and Toronto, have delivered impactful visual effects for films and television.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Software Developer responsible for creating tools and systems that enhance the visual effects production pipeline. This position involves close cooperation with developers, technical directors, and artists to translate production requirements into dependable, maintainable software that refines workflows and supports high-quality output. The individual will engage in both hands-on development and technical leadership, contributing to architecture design, project ownership, and fostering engineering excellence through collaboration, code reviews, and mentoring.

Note on Working Hours: This role operates aligned with Montreal business hours (Eastern Time), including adjustments for daylight-saving time changes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain pipeline tools and systems that optimize workflows, automate routine tasks, and integrate applications spanning the VFX production pipeline.
• Architect scalable and maintainable software solutions using design patterns and engineering best practices, balancing long-term viability with immediate production goals.
• Produce high-quality, well-tested code, participate in peer reviews, and encourage consistent coding standards and methodologies such as automated testing and Test-Driven Development (TDD) where suitable.
• Collaborate with stakeholders from production, finance, HR, and other departments to comprehend requirements, identify workflow enhancements, and deliver effective solutions.
• Take ownership of delivery by decomposing technical work, estimating effort, assessing dependencies and risks, and communicating progress to support organizational planning and prioritization.
• Investigate and troubleshoot software and integration challenges, addressing root causes to enhance system stability and performance.
• Mentor peers by providing technical guidance, constructive feedback, and sharing knowledge to raise team capabilities.
• Maintain clear and comprehensive technical documentation to facilitate adoption, upkeep, and knowledge continuity within the team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in architecting, building, and maintaining complex software systems, demonstrating independent technical decision-making and solution delivery.
• Expertise in Python and C++ programming languages with hands-on experience in production software development and maintenance.
• Deep understanding of software architecture concepts, object-oriented design, design patterns, and SOLID principles with sound judgment on applying them contextually.
• Experience with automated testing strategies including unit and integration testing, and familiarity with Test-Driven Development techniques.
• Proficient with Git version control and collaborative development workflows including conducting code reviews.
• Ability to convert intricate requirements into practical, maintainable software implementations.
• Strong analytical skills combined with effective troubleshooting, focusing on reliability, performance, and user experience.
• Excellent communication skills enabling effective collaboration with both technical and creative teams.
• Experience mentoring software developers and leading technical projects from conception through completion.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Skills and Additional Assets

• Background or experience within VFX, animation, or similar production environments.
• Experience developing software tools and integrations related to Payroll, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), and Financial Services.
• Familiarity with software architectural patterns such as Clean Architecture and Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS).
• Experience leveraging cloud services to support production pipelines.
• Knowledge of Agile development methodologies and tools like Jira or Asana for project tracking and management.