Simulation Pipeline Technical Artist - Special Projects

Play a role in bringing Apple technology to the world. You would join a team building world simulations. Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something you'll add something.

As a Simulation Pipeline Technical Artist in the Special Projects Simulation group, you will have an opportunity to be part of an innovation-focused organization within Apple that is developing simulations and generating synthetic data. You will be able to work on highly ambitious and impactful simulation projects enabling AI/ML-based products and features. Our ideal team member brings experience with video game and film techniques, but is also fearless when it comes to trying new things and is willing to iterate on ideas. We value team members who can quickly prototype, iterating all the way to high-quality implementations that can scale. We always value team members who can collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop pipelines and generation tools for 3D assets for world simulations.
• Bring video game and film techniques to our pipeline to optimizing quality and size for multiple use-cases, retaining flexibility and potentially multiple versions of assets for different purposes.
• Develop tools and systems which enable procedural and agentic systems to utilize assets.
• Develop tools for artists to work more effectively.
• Assist in bringing new materials generation techniques into our pipeline.
• Manage our asset library, establishing and enforcing conventions and standards, making the library easily usable by humans and agentic systems.
• Develop techniques to generate new content, scale our asset libraries with variation, manage our assets, and broaden our simulation scope.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience working as a Technical Artist in video games, animation, and/or VFX.
• Strong Python skills for data creation and manipulation.
• Experience building pipelines and processes to generate images and outputs by marshaling data through multiple DCCs with custom code.
• Strong experience with USD format, tools and APIs. The best candidates will help us use this key technology in better ways.
• Experienced Maya user.
• Experience with Maya, Houdini, or other DCC programming APIs.
• Proven track record of innovating new tools and techniques to speed up artist workflow and efficiency.
• Strong understanding of shading, lighting, texturing and materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong familiarity with digital sculpting, modeling, and command of mesh topology.
• Experience with lighting: especially procedural systems.
• Experience creating shaders.
• Experience with procedural materials, Substance Designer or similar.
• C++ programming experience.

Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $175,500 and $311,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program. Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant. At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You'll find that idea reflected in everything here in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Learn about accessibility in Apple's workplace. Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants. Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.