Senior Platform Developer

We are looking for a Senior Developer to help build and support the backend systems, services and internal platforms that underpin our pipeline and production technology.

Our team is building the next generation of pipeline and production technology to support ambitious filmmaking work. That includes core backend services, containerised systems, databases and the infrastructure needed to support modern AI-assisted development and emerging AI workflows. We already use frontier models as part of our software development process and are building internal systems that will allow AI-powered tools and services to be used in practical, production-focused ways.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys writing robust backend code, collaborating with Infrastructure and Architecture and shaping reliable systems that other teams depend on. You will contribute to real production systems while helping design and evolve the technical foundations that sit underneath our pipeline, services and internal platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain backend services and internal platforms that support our production pipeline.
• Design and implement reliable, maintainable systems and service interfaces.
• Work across backend development, service integration, and platform architecture.
• Develop services and tooling using technologies such as Java, Python, and PostgreSQL.
• Work with databases, APIs, and message-driven systems as part of broader service development.
• Help support containerised development and deployment workflows.
• Contribute to infrastructure that supports AI services and emerging AI-driven workflows.
• Collaborate closely with other engineers on architecture, technical direction, and implementation.
• Work primarily within Linux-based development environments, with some exposure to Windows-based workflows where needed.
• Take ownership of meaningful technical problems and help improve systems as they evolve.

ABOUT YOU

• You actively use modern AI coding tools and are excited about its impact on software engineering.
• 7+ years of relevant software engineering experience with a strong backend focus.
• You write clear, maintainable code and care about reliability, performance and good engineering practices.
• Solid experience building and supporting backend services or internal technical platforms.
• Proficiency with Java and Python.
• Solid experience with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases as part of application and service development.
• Experience with message brokers or other distributed messaging patterns.
• Comfortable working with APIs, service integration and data-driven systems.
• Enjoy thinking about how systems fit together, not just the code directly in front of you.
• Thrive in small, collaborative teams where there is ownership and variety.
• Interested in AI-enabled systems, AI services, or agentic workflows, and keen to help build practical infrastructure in that space.

HELPFUL EXPERIENCE

• Experience with containers and container-based development workflows, such as Docker or Podman.
• Experience designing or supporting internal platforms or developer-facing infrastructure.
• Familiarity with service-oriented or distributed system architecture.
• Experience supporting AI inference or service infrastructure would be valuable.
• Background in VFX, animation, games, or other production-driven technical environments would be helpful, but is not essential.

WHY THIS ROLE?

This is an excellent opportunity to work on meaningful technical systems in a small team solving real production problems. You’ll be close to architecture, infrastructure and platform decisions, while still being hands-on with code. We are at an exciting junction where AI is becoming a practical part of both how we build software and the kinds of systems we are creating. It’s a great fit for someone who enjoys backend and platform engineering and wants to build systems that matter.

We work collaboratively across our New Zealand and Los Angeles teams; move at pace, and iterate as we learn—so you’ll have real influence, ownership and the chance to make a visible impact.

The role will be based in Wellington, New Zealand, where you will be engaged as an independent contractor. You must be a New Zealand resident.