84 Junior Animator jobs in the United States

The Supervising Animator role at ESPN is responsible for collaborating with and leading teams to create high-caliber animations across ESPN properties. This role works directly with Animation staff and managers to deliver consistently robust animations fitting the style and pacing required by our production partners. Requires excellent collaboration and communication skills along with the ability to lead diverse teams and assignments. Must be able to manage, direct and develop other creatives, and provide regular, actionable feedback. Must be capable of performing high-level animation and troubleshooting duties and be proactive when working with partners and outside vendors. Must be able to work and coach others in a variety of animation styles and be highly skilled in both 2d/3d animation. This role regularly mentors and directly supervises less experienced animators and assists with the development and maintenance of animation production workflows. Must be proactive, have excellent communication skills and not be shy about offering up smart solutions. This is a hands-on position requiring expert knowledge of Cinema 4D, After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, Illustrator. This position contributes regularly to the creation of innovative animation packages, regularly mentors and supervises staff animators and contributes to the development, evolution and maintenance of animation team workflows.
**Responsibilities:**
+ Expert knowledge of After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, Illustrator
+ Expert After Effects Scripting and Toolkit knowledge
+ Expert Cinema4D knowledge
+ Directly supervise, mentor, coach and develop animation staff members
+ Direct oversight of 2 - 4 direct reports (Provide daily managerial responsibilities, such as learning oversight, commitments, evaluations, reviews, feedback, scheduling, and other daily tasks)
+ Advanced knowledge of industry standard CPU/GPU render engines
+ Working knowledge of other 3D/2D animation packages (Houdini, Unreal, Substance, Z Brush, etc.)
+ Advanced software and technical troubleshooting skills
+ Render Farm Node management knowledge
+ Translate assignment details and creative direction into visually compelling solutions
+ Displays next-level creativity within productions, actively pursues creative solutions and shares with teams
+ Produce high caliber animation from provided concepts as well as from scratch
+ Collaborates with internal and external teams (including post-houses) in the initial production stages to define production and animation expectations
+ Maintain monthly Animation team creative reviews and production check-ins
+ Pursue technology and workflow solutions for departmental efficiencies
+ Strong technical skills within animation, software solutions, and production pipelines
+ Work closely with the Animation Managers to lead the team in the creation of innovative 3D animation packages
+ Advanced scene optimization abilities with the ability to troubleshoot elements from post-houses and other artists
+ Collaborate with management to provide development opportunities to animation artists
+ Experience as a team leader with the ability to motivate and possessing personal initiative qualities
+ Assist in the building of and maintenance of new and innovative animation production workflows
+ Ability to quickly and independently transfer between productions when required
+ Maintains high-level output and efficiency
+ Engineer animation projects for efficient versioning and rendering
+ Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and adherence to quality control and delivery specs
+ Highly motivated, work well under pressure, and able to prioritize assignments
+ Confidence working independently and within a team
+ Strong organization, communication, collaboration skills
+ Receptive to creative direction/critical feedback
+ Proactively develop personal software and technical skills
+ Reliably adhere to time entry and daily reporting requirements
+ Ability to work flexible hours
+ Online portfolio/demo reel link required
**Demonstrates Expert After Effects Knowledge:**
+ All skills necessary to independently build new animation templates and toolkits for production, edit, or less experienced artists from scratch
+ Ability to customize scripts and code (Python, JavaScript) for more efficient Template and Toolkit delivery
+ Oversee the distribution of Edit Templates
+ Create and provide custom scripts and optimized formats for more effective delivery
+ Displays ability to pipeline elements into the production workflow
+ Aptitude for reviewing and troubleshooting internal and external AE scenes, providing guidance and technical solutions that fit within our pipeline
+ Advanced organization, naming, labeling, and optimization techniques
+ Ability to create efficient AE templates for Junior Animators, Edit, or external teams within pre-defined parameters
+ Intermediate to advanced knowledge of AE and third-party plugin suites (Red Giant, Sapphire, RE:Vision, etc.)
+ Displays ability to effectively utilize and combine plugins for next-level visual effects
+ Intermediate to advanced keyframing abilities including easing, spline adjustments
+ Understanding and aptitude to execute key-to-key, cut-to-key, and various other transition elements
+ ESPN Tools scripting functionality and troubleshooting knowledge
+ Practical knowledge of 2D tracking techniques
+ Import render layers for compositing
+ Strong understanding of different image formats utilized for advanced compositing (EXR, PNG, etc.)
+ Ability to utilize 3D cameras within a composition and work within AE 2.5D space
+ Advanced keying techniques using Primatte or other plugins
+ General knowledge of expressions and ability to utilize within a scene
+ Capable of creating batch render scripts and utilize on productions
+ Practical understanding of Media Encoder for AE rendering and conversion
**3D Animation - Cinema 4D Expert:**
+ Knowledge of the most recent C4D version within our production pipeline
+ Strong organizational techniques including naming conventions, structure, etc.
+ Ability to import splines and effectively model 3D logos using different techniques
+ Modeling of hard surface and organic objects
+ Ability to model in poly's, spines, and nurbs
+ Practical understanding of UV texture mapping
+ Create unique materials, texture maps or adjust pre-built textures
+ Strong lighting and key-framing skills
+ Shows skill to use layers and takes system for compositing passes
+ Capable of effectively animating objects and fluid camera motion
+ Understanding of render setting and final sequence output
+ Ability to troubleshoot 3D scenes and develop effective solutions
+ Strong knowledge of at least one advanced renderer such as Arnold, Octane, or Redshift
+ Showcases technical skills to optimize scenes and renders for efficient speeds
+ Knowledge of a render farm, including departmental expectations and requirements for submissions and renders
+ Aptitude for troubleshooting renders, properly adjust settings, and utilize farm effectively
+ Working knowledge of different visual effects tools such as X-Particles, Turbulence FD, and others
+ Advanced abilities developing visual effects utilizing C4D, Mograph, X-Particles, Turbulence FD, and other solutions
+ Extensive knowledge of at least 2 render engines, including one CPU and one GPU, with the ability to utilize either or both within a production workflow
+ Ability to track 4K footage within C4D and composite 3D objects within a photo-real environment
+ Capable of reviewing 3D scenes from internal sources and vendors, while effectively troubleshooting and sharing recommendations and guidance
+ Display the skill to utilize Mixamo within character animation development
+ Advanced abilities in 3 render engines, showing versatility in look development and output
**Other 3D & VFX:**
+ Displays working knowledge of other departmental software applications, such as Substance, Z-Brush, or others and effectively utilizes within the animation production pipeline.
+ Advanced troubleshooting abilities within primary software packages and the ability quickly troubleshoot other artists scenes, providing effective solutions
+ Advanced knowledge of the render farm with the skills to optimize submissions, adjust priorities, provide guidance, problem solve
+ Research, develop, and recommend animation software, hardware, and workflows to provide the most ambitious, creative, and technically advanced animation solutions.
+ Display extensive and practical knowledge of a minimum of one or more additional software packages for next-level animation solutions (Houdini, Unreal, etc.).
+ Collaborate with external clients as the primary animation liaison for file delivery, software compatibility, and other animation solutions.
+ Research advanced animation techniques and develop avenues for implementation into the creative animation pipeline.
+ Demonstrate advanced troubleshooting abilities within multiple animation packages (2D & 3D) while being a creative problem solver
**Soft Skills:**
+ Communication, Independence, Leadership
+ Main animation resource on a production
+ Expected to provide oversight and manage responsibilities of other artists
**Basic Qualifications:**
+ Expert knowledge of After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema 4D
+ Online portfolio/demo reel
+ Ability to work nights, weekends & holidays as assignments require
**Preferred Qualifications:**
+ Experience within the animation or graphics production industry as a hands-on animator preferred
+ High-level of Cinema4D knowledge preferred
+ Prior Animation supervision experience preferred
+ Interest in sports and some familiarity with ESPN show package identities
**Required Education:**
+ High School Diploma or Equivalent
**Preferred Education:**
+ Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
**Additional Information:**
+ This position is onsite
#ESPNMedia
**Job ID:**
**Location:** Bristol,Connecticut
**Job Posting Company:** ESPN
ESPN Productions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Description
We are looking for a skilled 3D Animator to join our team on a contract basis. In this role, you will create engaging 3D animations for use on social media platforms, contributing to the visual identity of our projects. This position offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate on creative designs within the retail industry.
Responsibilities:
- Develop dynamic 3D animations, including bouncing and spinning tile effects, tailored for social media content.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure animations align with the project's creative vision and branding.
- Design multiple animation variations to meet project specifications and enhance visual appeal.
- Utilize 3D modeling tools to create high-quality assets and effects.
- Work with Adobe Creative Cloud tools, including Illustrator and Flash, to refine and composite animations.
- Ensure all animations are optimized for digital platforms and are delivered on schedule.
- Maintain open communication during regular business hours to address feedback and revisions.
- Apply knowledge of character animation and compositing techniques to elevate the project's visual impact.
- Troubleshoot any technical challenges that arise during the animation process.
Requirements - Proven experience in 3D animation, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work.
- Proficiency in 3D Studio Max and other 3D modeling software.
- Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud tools, including Illustrator and Flash.
- Solid understanding of animation techniques, including character and tile-based animations.
- Ability to create visually compelling content tailored for social media platforms.
- Effective communication skills to collaborate with team members and incorporate feedback.
- Strong time management skills to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Availability during regular business hours for project discussions and updates. Innovation starts with people.®
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Our client, a renowned animation studio, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Animator to join their creative team in **Sacramento, California, US**. This role involves bringing characters and stories to life through exceptional character animation for feature films, television shows, and interactive media. You will collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other animators to achieve the highest quality of visual storytelling. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of animation principles, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for creating compelling performances.

Key responsibilities include:

• Creating high-quality character animation, including body mechanics, facial expressions, and performance.
• Collaborating with the creative team to interpret and execute the artistic vision for projects.
• Providing animation feedback and guidance to junior animators.
• Troubleshooting animation issues and implementing solutions.
• Working within established pipelines and adhering to project deadlines.
• Contributing to the development of animation style and techniques.
• Maintaining clear communication with supervisors and team members regarding progress and challenges.
• Continuously learning and applying new animation software and techniques.
• Participating in dailies and reviews to receive and give constructive criticism.
• Ensuring animation meets the required technical and artistic standards.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of experience as a professional animator, with a strong portfolio showcasing feature film or high-end CG animation work, is required. Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent is essential. Strong drawing skills and a solid understanding of anatomy, timing, and weight are crucial. This role requires flexibility to work both remotely and from our **Sacramento, California, US** studio, offering a competitive salary and a creative work environment.

Our client is looking for a talented Senior Animator to join their remote-first creative team based in Orlando, Florida, US (though the role is fully remote). You will be instrumental in bringing characters and environments to life through high-quality animation, contributing to visually stunning projects. This role requires a deep understanding of animation principles, character acting, and storytelling. You will work closely with directors, art directors, and other animators to achieve the artistic vision of our projects. Responsibilities include creating keyframe animation, animating facial expressions and body mechanics, developing rigging solutions, and ensuring animation meets technical and artistic standards. You should be proficient in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent. A strong portfolio showcasing your animation skills is essential. We seek individuals with a proven track record of delivering exceptional animation in previous roles, preferably in the gaming or film industry. Experience with motion capture cleanup and integration is a plus. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player, capable of receiving and providing constructive feedback, and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of animation. You must be self-motivated, possess excellent problem-solving abilities, and thrive in a remote work environment. Excellent communication skills are vital for effective collaboration with a distributed team. We value creativity, innovation, and a commitment to artistic excellence. Join us and be part of a passionate team creating engaging and memorable experiences for a global audience. If you are a seasoned animator looking for a challenging opportunity to showcase your talent and contribute to groundbreaking projects from the comfort of your home, we want to hear from you. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package for our remote employees.

Our client, a critically acclaimed animation studio known for its groundbreaking visual storytelling, is seeking a highly talented and experienced Lead Animator to join their creative team. This role offers a dynamic hybrid work environment, combining collaborative studio sessions with flexible remote work. You will be responsible for guiding and inspiring a team of animators to produce exceptional character and environmental animation for our upcoming feature film projects. Your artistic vision and leadership will be crucial in bringing our stories to life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and provide artistic direction to a team of animators throughout the production pipeline.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of animation, ensuring it meets the highest artistic and technical standards.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other department leads to define the animation style and vision.
• Establish and maintain animation pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
• Review animation work, provide constructive feedback, and guide animators in achieving desired performances.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges, providing solutions and support to the animation team.
• Manage the animation schedule, ensuring timely delivery of assets and shots.
• Contribute directly to animation production, creating key animation sequences and demonstrating strong character performance.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in animation.
• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment, promoting creativity and skill development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in animation, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality animation for feature films, television, or AAA games.
• Expertise in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Strong understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight, and appeal.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback to artistic teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• A keen eye for detail and composition.
• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional animation skills and leadership capabilities is required.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant artistic contribution to exciting projects and advance your career in a creative and collaborative hybrid setting.

Our client is seeking a talented and experienced Lead Animator to join our growing arts and entertainment division in Omaha, Nebraska, US . This is an on-site position where you will be instrumental in bringing creative visions to life through high-quality animation. As the Lead Animator, you will guide a team of animators, mentor junior talent, and oversee the animation pipeline from concept to final output. You will be responsible for creating character animations, visual effects, and motion graphics for various projects, ensuring artistic and technical excellence. A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional skills in 2D or 3D animation, character rigging, and storytelling is essential. Proficiency in animation software such as Maya, Blender, After Effects, or similar is required. You will collaborate closely with directors, art leads, and other creative professionals to ensure the animation aligns with the overall project vision and style guide. This role requires strong leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to provide constructive feedback. You should have a deep understanding of animation principles, timing, and posing, along with a passion for pushing creative boundaries. Experience in game development, film, or broadcast animation is highly desirable. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the animation quality and driving the artistic direction of our projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of animators.
• Create high-quality character animations and visual effects.
• Develop and refine animation styles and techniques.
• Oversee the animation pipeline and ensure timely delivery of assets.
• Collaborate with directors and art leads on creative direction.
• Provide technical and artistic feedback to the animation team.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all animated sequences.
• Manage project timelines and resources for animation tasks.

Our client, a renowned animation studio based in **Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US**, is seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Animator to join their dynamic creative team. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the visual narrative of cutting-edge animated projects, from feature films to immersive virtual reality experiences. The Lead Animator will be responsible for guiding a team of talented animators, ensuring the highest quality of animation, and bringing characters and environments to life with passion and precision. This role demands a deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and the ability to mentor and inspire junior animators. You will collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other department heads to establish and maintain the artistic vision of each project. Your expertise will be crucial in developing and implementing animation pipelines, troubleshooting technical challenges, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in animation. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation, a proven track record of leadership, and a keen eye for detail and storytelling. We are looking for an individual who thrives in a collaborative environment, possesses excellent communication skills, and is passionate about creating unforgettable animated experiences. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and directing the animation team throughout the production pipeline.
• Establishing and maintaining animation quality standards and stylistic consistency.
• Providing constructive feedback and technical guidance to animators.
• Collaborating with rigging and modeling departments to ensure animatable characters.
• Developing and implementing efficient animation workflows and techniques.
• Troubleshooting and resolving animation-related technical issues.
• Contributing to character development and performance reviews.
• Presenting animation work to stakeholders and directors.
• Mentoring and developing junior and mid-level animators.
• Staying current with industry trends and new animation technologies.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of professional animation experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Strong understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight, and appeal.
• Demonstrated ability to create compelling character performances and storytelling through animation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of animation styles and techniques.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Our client, a globally recognized leader in digital entertainment, is seeking a talented and passionate Senior Animator to join their innovative team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States. You will be instrumental in bringing characters and worlds to life through exceptional animation. Your primary focus will be on creating high-quality character animation, ensuring fluid motion, believable performances, and adherence to the artistic style of our projects. This role requires a strong understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight, and appeal. You will work on a variety of projects, from animated features and series to interactive experiences, collaborating closely with directors, art directors, and other members of the animation and art departments. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, a strong portfolio showcasing a range of animation styles, and proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent. You will be expected to contribute to the creative process, offer constructive feedback to peers, and mentor junior animators. This role demands a proactive attitude, excellent communication skills for remote collaboration, and the ability to manage time effectively to meet project deadlines. You will be a key player in shaping the visual storytelling and overall quality of our productions.

Responsibilities:

• Create high-quality character animation for various projects.
• Animate characters expressing a range of emotions and actions.
• Collaborate with directors and art leads to achieve the desired artistic vision.
• Adhere to established animation pipelines and technical requirements.
• Provide constructive feedback to other animators and participate in review sessions.
• Mentor and guide junior animators, fostering their artistic and technical growth.
• Troubleshoot and resolve animation-related technical issues.
• Stay updated with the latest animation techniques and software.
• Contribute creative ideas to character performance and storytelling.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Senior Animator in the entertainment industry.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional character animation skills.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Solid understanding of animation principles, rigging, and character performance.
• Excellent visual storytelling and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment.
• Experience with motion capture cleanup is a plus.

Our client, a dynamic entity in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is seeking a talented and creative 3D Animator for a remote, project-based contract role. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute your skills to visually stunning projects, bringing characters and environments to life with captivating motion and detail. You will work closely with our creative teams to deliver high-quality animation for various media, including films, games, and promotional content. This is a fully remote position, requiring self-discipline and excellent communication skills.

Key responsibilities include:

• Creating high-quality 3D character and environment animation based on project briefs and storyboards.
• Collaborating with directors, art directors, and other animators to achieve the desired artistic vision.
• Animating characters with a strong understanding of anatomy, timing, and performance.
• Developing expressive and believable character performances.
• Creating realistic or stylized motion graphics and visual effects.
• Optimizing animation for various platforms and technical requirements.
• Troubleshooting and resolving animation-related issues.
• Maintaining consistent quality and style throughout animation sequences.
• Participating in animation reviews and providing constructive feedback.
• Managing time effectively to meet project deadlines in a remote setting.

The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing exceptional 3D animation skills. Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D is required. Experience with character rigging and facial animation is highly desirable. A solid understanding of animation principles, cinematography, and visual storytelling is essential. Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a remote team environment are crucial. Candidates must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently to deliver outstanding results on time. Join a creative and collaborative environment that values artistic expression and innovation.