Senior Research Engineer - Computer Graphics, Next Generation AI/ML Animation R&D

About the role

Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth.

Position Summary

Sony Corporation of America currently has an opening for Senior Research Engineer in our U.S. Research Center located in Culver City, CA.

This position is responsible for leading technical efforts on developing AI/ML based animation core technologies and producing Next Gen. photo-real 3D CG animation content for Sony's future business and services.

Responsibilities include driving technical requirements for novel animation algorithm R&D in close collaboration with Sony's professional creators and world-class research scientist teams to analyze, benchmark, validate and develop complex algorithms of novel 3D content creation workflow efficiently.

Finally, you will be responsible for invention disclosures, working with patent attorneys to secure intellectual property.

Responsibilities

• Individual contributor in fundamental theories, principles and algorithm development in the field of AI/ML 3D CG animation and visualization based on scientific survey, analysis, benchmark and validation.
• Support manager's new initiatives and strategy. Support, propose and contribute to project plan for new business creation.
• Document all phases of research and development.
• Oversee submission of intellectual property.
• Travel to visit project collaborators overseas.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering, or related scientific field, is required.
• Solid publication record in AI/ML based 3D CG animation algorithm research, particularly in the field of facial animation, hair or garment modeling/simulation.
• 0-3 years of industry experience, preferably in 3D Computer Graphics.
• Excellent communication skills are required.
• Highly proficient with Unreal Engine (MetaHuman), Maya, or related CG platforms.
• All candidates must be authorized to work in the USA.

Pay and benefits

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $160,000 to $190,000.

In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 10%. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.