Nishith Singhai

AI & creative technologist.

📍 Mumbai, India  |  ✉️ singhai.nish@gmail.com

🎬 Pipeline Technical Director & Full-Stack Developer

I bridge VFX pipeline development with full-stack software engineering, and I’m currently exploring how AI/ML can enhance creative workflows. With 20+ years in technical roles, I architect creative pipelines, build production tools, and deliver end-to-end solutions for animation and VFX studios.

🔧 Technical Stack by Domain

🎬 Pipeline Technical Direction

  • Python (Maya/Houdini/Nuke APIs): Expert

  • PySide/PyQt: Expert

  • Shell Scripting: Expert

  • DCC Tools (Maya, Houdini, Nuke): Advanced

  • Rendering (Arnold, Deadline): Advanced

  • Production Tools (ShotGrid, custom pipelines): Advanced

💻 Full-Stack Development

  • JavaScript/React/Vue: Advanced

  • Node.js: Intermediate

  • Python (Django, Flask, FastAPI): Advanced

  • HTML5/CSS3: Advanced

  • Jekyll/GitHub Pages: Advanced

  • DevOps (Docker, AWS, CI/CD): Intermediate

  • Databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB): Intermediate

🧠 Exploring AI & Machine Learning

  • PyTorch/TensorFlow Basics: Exploring

  • OpenCV/PIL: Learning

  • Prompt Engineering: Learning

  • OpenAI/Stable Diffusion APIs: Testing

  • Jupyter/Colab: Familiar

Currently expanding my knowledge in this area

🧱 Featured Projects by Domain

🎬 Pipeline TD Projects

  • Automated Render Submission System: Python-based tool for Maya/Arnold rendering
  • Asset Versioning Pipeline: Git-like system for 3D assets with automated backups
  • Production Tracking Dashboard: Real-time monitoring of VFX shot progress
  • Batch Processing Tools: Automated texture/conversion workflows

💻 Full-Stack Projects

  • BuildYourHome – Real Estate Landing Page: Jekyll + GitHub Pages site with CMS integration
  • Portfolio Starter Template: One-page personal site hosted on GitHub Pages
  • Website Fix & Hosting Demo: Debugged Liquid includes and restored Jekyll deployment

🧠 AI/ML Learning Projects

  • AI-Assisted Image Processing: Testing automated background removal tools
  • ML Quality Control Prototypes: Learning to detect rendering artifacts
  • ChatGPT Pipeline Experiments: Exploring natural language commands for TD tasks Note: Learning projects as I explore AI/ML applications

💼 Professional Experience

Free-Lancer

Freelancer | Jan, 2024 - till date | Remote

  • Self Paced Learning of Github Actions workflow

  • Self Paced Learning of AI

  • Algo Trading Tools (python, smartapi) - WIP

  • Web Site for a south mumbai realtor (jekyll, ruby)

  • Setup Shotgrid Style Publishing Tool for Natron (python, yaml) - WIP

  • Clean Up Tool for maya batch scene files run from command line (python, shell, bash)

Rocket Science

Sr Pipeline TD | May 2023 – Sep 2023 | Toronto, Canada (Remote)

  • Enhanced HDRI publishing tool (Python, PyQt5)

  • Upgraded Photoshop-Shotgrid pipeline integration

BOTVFX

Sr Pipeline TD | Oct, 2021 — Mar, 2023 | Chennai, India

  • Upgrade publisher tool with features taken as input from VFX supervisor (python, pyqt5)

  • Share skills, information, experience and ideas with other TD’s and artist’s from other dept’s. (python, pyqt5, shotgrid)

  • Build support structure for new pipeline api

  • Biddng project

  • AI ML

BaseFX

Sr Pipeline TD | Oct, 2018 — Sep, 2020 | KL, Malaysia

  • Build new tool to publish plateqc (python, pyqt5, nuke, bash)

  • Add new features to existing tool taskstarter (bash, tcl)

  • Build new tool to set presets for all tools from one UI (python, pyqt5)

  • Build new tool for auto comp on houdini (python, pyqt5, houdini)

Atomic Arts

Sr Pipeline TD | Oct, 2017 — Aug, 2018 | Mumbai, India

  • Shotgrid Integration in existing pipeline from scratch (python, pyqt5, nuke, bash)

  • Shotgrid Publish integration into Nuke (nuke, python, shotgrid)

  • 3dEqualizer publish tool (python, pyqt5, 3dequalizer)

Prime Focus

Sr Pipeline TD | Sep, 2014 — Aug, 2017 | Mumbai, India

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

  • Tool to Publish files to System (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

Barajoun

Sr Pipeline TD | Jan, 2014 — Jul, 2014 | Dubai, UAE

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

  • Light Linking Tool to Publish files to System (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

  • Asset Browser to Load files from System (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

FutureWorks

Sr Pipeline TD | Jan, 2013 — Dec, 2013 | Mumbai, India

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

Eyeqube

Pipeline Lead | Jan, 2010 — Dec, 2012 | Mumbai, India

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

  • Build inhouse tools which will be called our own pipeline

PrimeFocus

Sr Pipeline TD | Jul, 2008 — Dec, 2009 | Mumbai, India

  • EqRunner - A tool for publishing assets (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, pyqt5, maya, nuke)

Skyworks

Sr Pipeline TD | Jan, 2007 — Jun, 2008 | Mumbai, India

  • fx, ncloth, maya

  • Troubleshoot Floor Issues (python, mel, maya, nuke)

🎓 Education & Continuous Learning

  • Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Wilson College
    1989 — 1993 | India

  • Language Study (German), Max Mueller Bhavan
    1994 | Mumbai

  • Continuous Learning & Professional Development, Self-Directed
    Ongoing | Online

Recent Learning Focus

  • AI/ML for Creative Pipelines (PyTorch, OpenCV, Stable Diffusion APIs)
  • Modern Web Development (React, Vue, Node.js, AWS)
  • Pipeline Architecture & Optimization (USD, Cloud Rendering)

🧠 The Value I Bring

Instead of managing multiple specialists with communication gaps, you get a technical Swiss Army Knife. I connect pipeline issues with tool solutions and creative workflows, seeing integrated solutions where others see separate problems. This means:

  • 🔄 End-to-End Ownership: Architect tools, build interfaces, deploy to cloud—no handoffs
  • ⚡ Faster Problem Solving: Understand both creative workflows and software engineering
  • 🔗 Future-Proof Mindset: Continuously learning to bring modern solutions to traditional challenges

Looking for a Pipeline TD who can also build your production tools? Let’s connect.