Virtual Production Technical Manager College Station, TX

Glimpse of the Job

The Virtual Production Institute, recipient of $25 million in funding from the State of Texas, is seeking a highly skilled Virtual Production Technical Manager. You will play a crucial role in modern filmmaking and technical production management. Working with various 3D and content playback pipelines using virtual sets, motion capture systems, and real-time rendering software as you collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, and visual effects teams to create immersive virtual environments and integrate live-action footage with digital elements seamlessly. This is a rewarding opportunity as your skills ensure that the virtual production process runs smoothly, enhancing a captivating visual storytelling experience producing feature films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Technical Production Management:

• Prepares and runs Unreal Engine environments for in-camera VFX shooting workflows

• Manages 2D video plate preparation, including ingest, versioning, and stitching

• Executes Unreal Engine setup, calibration, and operations during preproduction and shoots

• Identifies and implements customization, optimization, and blueprint requirements for environments

• Maintain and optimize tracking systems, including building lens files for Stype and Sisu

• Establishes and maintains color pipelines per project requirements

• Maintains high standards of quality and speed in virtual production workflows

Systems and Infrastructure Management:

• Oversees stage hardware and systems operation

• Manages networking and ICVFX infrastructure

• Implements and maintains version control systems such as Perforce

• Operates and maintains robotic cameras and cranes

• Manages physical lighting protocols including DMX, artnet, and sACN

Quality Control and Production Support:

• Ensures technical quality standards are maintained across all productions

• Provides technical support during live production

• Troubleshoots and resolves technical issues in real-time

• Maintains documentation of technical procedures and workflows

Collaboration and Communication:

• Works closely with Virtual Production Supervisor and PVFA/VPI tech team

• Participates in production planning and technical coordination meetings

• Collaborates with team members toward common goals

• Communicates technical requirements and solutions clearly and concisely

Technical Development and Optimization:

• Develops and implements Unreal Blueprint solutions

• Creates and maintains Python scripts for workflow optimization

• Manages OCIO/ACES color pipeline implementation

• Optimizes media server operations including Pixera

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelors degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five years of experience in related field including demonstrated experience with Unreal Engine, including Blueprints and Livelink

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to execute technically difficult work under pressure

• Understanding of OCIO/ACES color pipelines

• Experience with version control systems

• Strong knowledge of stage hardware and systems

• Proficiency in networking and ICVFX infrastructure

• Technical understanding of live-action cinematography, cinema cameras, film back, aperture, shutter, and FOV

• Audio and timecode systems knowledge – possess a strong understanding of audio, timecode systems, Genlock and Evertz systems

• Excellent knowledge of Unreal Engine, Maya/Blender, and visual effects pipelines

• Ability to lift and move technical equipment and manual dexterity for equipment operation

• Work beyond normal office hours and/or on weekends. Travel required.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Pixera and other media servers

• Knowledge of physical lighting protocols (DMX, artnet, sACN)

• Proficiency in scripting (Unreal Blueprints and Python)

• Experience with robotic cameras and cranes

• Traditional filmmaking on-set experience 

What you need to know