H.B. Siegel is an experienced technologist with a rich career spanning top companies such as Amazon, IMDb, Lucasfilm, Wavefront, SGI, and Pixar, where he has made lasting contributions to both the tech and entertainment sectors.
🚀 Career Highlights
Pixar & Wavefront
H.B. began his career at Pixar as a graphics software developer and manager for a novel version of RenderMan. He later joined Wavefront, where he helped create the foundational technologies that became Maya, the industry-standard animation system.
SGI & Lucasfilm
After Wavefront was acquired by SGI, he served as Director of Rendering, contributing to the high-speed graphics system OpenGL. He then became CTO at Lucasfilm’s ILM and Skywalker Sound, overseeing cutting-edge visual effects technologies used in Star Wars, Star Trek, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, and many other iconic films.
Amazon & IMDb
At Amazon, H.B. helped launch key digital initiatives like Search Inside the Book, Kindle Books, and Digital Music. He later served as CTO of IMDb, one of the world’s most-visited sources for movie and TV content. Most recently, he joined Amazon’s Grand Challenge Team as the “Prime Minister of Ideas,” developing and evaluating transformative concepts for the company.
💡 Innovation & Hacking
H.B. holds 94 issued patents, with several more pending. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a passionate maker and technologist. He has built multiple self-replicating 3D printers, and designed numerous custom LED lighting installations.
🤖 Interests in AI
H.B.’s current focus is on artificial intelligence, where he explores:
- Code generation using LLMs (“Vibe” coding)
- Chess analysis and gameplay
- AI-powered storytelling and character development
- Image generation and visual creativity
His work combines LLMs and generative tools to build resilient, interactive systems for creative expression.
🎯 Mission
Across every chapter of his career, H.B. Siegel has remained dedicated to the pursuit of innovation, creativity, and technological progress.