Hi, I’m Laura Popa—a software developer and technical director with 5 years of experience in the VFX/Animation industry. I build and maintain pipelines, develop Python tools, and support artists in Houdini, Maya, and related tools. I’m deeply passionate about Computer Science, Software Development, VFX and Animation, UI Development, and Computer Graphics. I’m fluent in English and Romanian, with conversational French.

Laura Popa

Hi, I’m Laura Popa—a software developer and technical director with 5 years of experience in the VFX/Animation industry. I build and maintain pipelines, develop Python tools, and support artists in Houdini, Maya, and related tools. I’m deeply passionate about Computer Science, Software Development, VFX and Animation, UI Development, and Computer Graphics. I’m fluent in English and Romanian, with conversational French.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Laura Popa—a software developer and technical director with 5 years of experience in the VFX/Animation industry. I build and maintain pipelines, develop Python tools, and support artists in Houdini, Maya, and related tools.

I’m deeply passionate about Computer Science, Software Development, VFX and Animation, UI Development, and Computer Graphics. I’m fluent in English and Romanian, with conversational French.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
See more

Language

English
Fluent
Romanian, Moldavian, Moldovan
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Pipeline Technical Director at Barnstorm VFX
April 1, 2025 - November 1, 2025
Develop Python tools and support artists within the Houdini pipeline. Work on tools such as ShotGrid, Houdini, and Deadline.
R&D – Junior Houdini Software Developer at Technicolor Group
November 1, 2023 - February 1, 2025
Develop, investigate, and maintain Houdini OTLs requiring knowledge of multi-platform integration, shading/texture packages, and TechAnim support.
Assistant Pipeline Technical Director at DNEG
August 1, 2022 - November 1, 2023
Develop tools and support artists within the pipeline, mainly involving rigging, animation, crowd, groom, and lighting.
Lighting Technical Director at Mr.X Inc.
January 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021
Completing code maintenance by fixing bugs and adding functionality on a UI tool in Houdini using PyQt5.
Pipeline Developer Intern at Pixomondo
May 1, 2020 - October 1, 2020
W orked in Python on a variety of tools for the pipeline in Shotgun and Nuke.
Junior Software Developer at Torpedo Pictures VFX
May 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018
Built a Windows file organization tool in JavaFX to automate the pre-visualization process.
Junior Software Developer at Woodbine Entertainment Group
May 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018
Learned to work with other developers to gather data and use SQL to create a Unity project.
Pipeline Developer Intern at Pixomondo
January 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021
Worked in Python on a variety of tools for the pipeline in Shotgun and Nuke.
Junior Software Developer at Torpedo Pictures VFX
May 1, 2020 - October 1, 2020
Built a Windows file organization tool in JavaFX to automate the pre-visualization process.

Education

Bachelor of Computer Science at University of Western Ontario
September 1, 2017 - April 1, 2022
Data Visualization Course at Aarhus University
July 1, 2019 - July 1, 2019
Bachelor of Computer Science at University of Western Ontario
September 1, 2017 - April 1, 2022
Data Visualization Course at Aarhus University
July 1, 2019 - July 1, 2019

Qualifications

Most Creative Hack for Social Good (EnactusHacks)
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020
Project Finalist in PC Hacks Hackathon
May 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019
Best Use of Blockchain at She-Hacks Hackathon
March 1, 2018 - March 1, 2018

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services

Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
See more