Bob Powell
About Bob Powell
Bob Powell is a Senior Pipeline Engineer at Soul Machines, where he has worked since 2019. He has extensive experience in the visual effects industry, having held various technical roles at notable companies such as Industrial Light & Magic, LAIKA, and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Work at Soul Machines
Bob Powell has been serving as a Senior Pipeline Engineer at Soul Machines since 2019. In this role, he contributes to the development and maintenance of the pipeline systems that support the company's digital human technology. His responsibilities include optimizing workflows and ensuring efficient data management within the production environment.
Previous Experience in Visual Effects
Prior to his current position, Bob Powell held various roles in the visual effects industry. He worked as a Technical Director at Industrial Light & Magic from 1998 to 2004, and as a Pipeline Technical Director at LAIKA, LLC from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, he was involved with Sony Pictures Imageworks as a Cloth and Hair Technical Director for Spiderman 3 from 2005 to 2007, where he contributed to the film's visual effects.
Education and Expertise
Bob Powell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in Computer Graphics from the University of Oregon. His education spanned from 1980 to 1989, during which he developed a strong foundation in mathematics, computer science, and animation. He has since gained extensive expertise in digital lighting, shader writing, rendering, and particle simulation.
Technical Skills and Programming Experience
Bob Powell has approximately 10 years of full-time C++ programming experience, including over 3 years on the in-house 3D rendering team at Rhythm & Hues. He has also worked with various programming languages and tools, including Python, PyQt, Javascript, and SQL, particularly during his tenure as a Pipeline Technical Director at LAIKA. His technical skills are complemented by his experience in developing plug-ins and panels for Adobe Premiere at Digital Anarchy.
Career Timeline and Roles
Bob Powell's career spans several notable positions in the visual effects industry. He started as a Software Engineer at Rhythm & Hues from 1994 to 1998, later becoming a Senior Lighting Technical Director at the same company from 2007 to 2013. He also served as FX Department Lead at LAIKA from 2004 to 2005 and as a Senior Software Engineer at Digital Anarchy from 2015 to 2018, showcasing his diverse experience across various roles and companies.