Field Applications Engineer, Entertainment Production Camera Tech.
Hexagon
IT
United States
3251BR
Field Applications Engineer, Entertainment Production Camera Tech.
United States
Job Description
*This position is based in Los Angeles and requires regular travel throughout the LA area as well as occasional travel within the greater US & Canada.
We are Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, and we’re building a new professional 3D laser scanning hardware and software solution for the film and cinema industry. Our team is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with a growing presence in Los Angeles.
Leica Geosystems creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet providing a comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions that capture, measure, and visualize the physical world and enable data-driven transformation across industry ecosystems. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries trust Leica Geosystems for all their 3D reality capture and geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.
Job summary
We are seeking a Field Application Engineer based in Los Angeles to become our first dedicated “technical” hire in North America — supporting customers, running demos, onboarding new users, and representing the product in the LA cinema tech community.
This is a founding role. You'll start as the sole NA support person but the goal is to grow this into a team as the install base expands. This is not a call-center job — it's a hybrid of field application engineering, customer enablement, pre-sales demos, and structured technical support.
Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Support & Troubleshooting – Own the North American support queue. What matters most is that you understand the industry context in which issues arise — not just the technical symptom, but the production pressure behind it.
Beyond handling individual cases, you'll also track support trends and use them to drive product improvements — making the whole customer experience better, not just solving one ticket at a time.
Customer Onboarding & Training – Guide new customers through the full product workflow — from unboxing to first successful data delivery. You'll work with camera crew (1st ACs, DITs), VFX artists (matchmove, compositing), virtual production stage operators, and IT technicians.
On-Set Support – Be available for critical productions, especially during the early adoption phase — pre-production prep calls, on-set standby for first-time deployments, real-time troubleshooting during shoots, and end-of-day data verification. Expect 2–4 on-set days per month initially, potentially more around major productions.
Pre-Sales Demos & Evangelism – Especially before and around launch, you'll also run hands-on product demos for prospective customers (studios, rental houses, VP vendors), support evaluation sessions, and represent the product at industry events and trade shows (NAB, Cine Gear, SIGGRAPH, ASC events).
Feedback Loop to Product & R&D – Structured reporting of field issues, feature requests, and workflow observations back to the Zurich engineering team. You'll participate in weekly syncs and contribute to the knowledge base and documentation portal.
Documentation & Knowledge Base – Contribute to the documentation portal and internal knowledge base where possible — for example by flagging gaps, reviewing articles for technical accuracy, or suggesting topics for tutorials based on recurring field observations. Dedicated content creation is a plus but not a core expectation.
Domain areas you’ll support:
- On-set workflows Understands camera department hierarchy, prep/wrap rhythms, and the stakes of a blocked shoot day. Knows what a 1st AC needs vs. what a DIT needs.
- Timecode & sync Can speak fluently about LTC, PTP, genlock, jam sync — and how these integrate with ARRI, RED, Sony Venice, and Blackmagic workflows.
- Data management & offload Knows how on-set data flows from camera cards to shuttle drives to post. Aware of common DIT tools (YoYotta, Silverstack, Pomfort, OffShoot) and concepts like checksum verification and ASC MHL — should understand their purpose in the chain of custody.
- Post-production pipelines Knows how matchmove, compositing, and 3D reconstruction fit together. Aware of the role of key VFX pipeline tools (3DEqualizer, Maya, Nuke, Unreal Engine) — should understand what they do and what data they consume.
- Virtual production / ICFX Understands LED volume workflows, camera tracking concepts (optical, inertial, hybrid), real-time rendering pipelines, and the role of depth/segmentation in live compositing.
- Networking on set Familiar with the realities of production networking — air-gapped stages, corporate IT restrictions, mobile/remote locations — and how to navigate them.
Desired Skills
Qualifications
Must-Have
- 5+ years in a technical, customer-facing role in cinema/broadcast equipment, virtual production, VFX pipeline tools, or closely adjacent domains.
- Deep familiarity with film production workflows and the cinema camera department — understands set hierarchy (DoP → Operator → 1st AC → 2nd AC → DIT), prep/wrap routines, the pressure of a blocked shoot day, and how data moves from set to post.
- Working knowledge of cinema industry tools and protocols, including:
- Camera systems: Hands-on experience with at least one major cinema camera platform (ARRI, RED, Sony Venice, Blackmagic, etc.).
- Timecode & sync: LTC, PTP, genlock, jam sync — plus familiarity with common sync hardware (Tentacle Sync, Ambient, Denecke).
- DIT / data management awareness: Knows what tools like YoYotta, Silverstack, Pomfort OffShoot do — hands-on proficiency not required.
- Post-production pipeline awareness: Knows where matchmove, compositing, and 3D reconstruction sit in the VFX chain.
- Strong presentation and demo skills — comfortable running live product demos for technical and executive audiences.
- Located in or willing to relocate to Los Angeles .
- Ability to travel (potentially also to Switzerland for onboarding).
- Comfortable working autonomously with a remote team in Zurich (9h time difference).
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Experience with virtual production / ICFX environments (LED volumes, real-time rendering, camera tracking systems like Stype, Mo-Sys, or Ncam).
- Hands-on experience with VFX pipeline tools (3DEqualizer, Maya, Nuke, Houdini, Unreal Engine).
- Background at a rental house (fleet management, prep workflows, rental economics).
- Experience with SLAM, LiDAR, or depth sensing technologies.
- Familiarity with networking on set (IP configuration, DHCP, corporate firewalls, air-gapped environments).
- Existing network in the LA cinema tech community.
In addition to competitive compensation and an engaging and collaborative business culture, Leica Geosystems offers a comprehensive package of benefits including Paid Time Off, 401k matching up to 6% of compensation, Medical, Dental, Vision, Healthcare FSA & HSA and no cost Life Insurance.
Other insurance options including accident, critical illness, hospital care, accidental D&D and short & long-term disability are available at reduced/negotiated costs. We also offer tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, pre-paid legal counsel, low-cost identity protection and Employee & Family Assistance Program.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We comply with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA requirements.
At Hexagon, we believe that diversity of thought, background, and experience makes us stronger. Our people’s passion, creativity, and dedication drive our success, and we strive to be the place where talented individuals want to grow and do their best work.
Our energy and engagement are reflected in our commitment to innovation, integrity, and excellence. Here, you will find opportunities to develop professionally, take on new challenges, and be part of a collaborative culture that values both independent thinking and teamwork.
Job Family
Technical Service & Support
Employment Type
Technical
City
Los Angeles, CA