Unreal Engine Animation Generalist - Disney Television Animation

About this Role and our Studio 

Disney Television Animation (DTVA) has over 40 years of legacy as a top producer of kids & family entertainment. Our work is integral to The Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families’ homes across the globe.  

DTVA creates both long-form and short-form content spanning traditional 2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion. We create shows in a broad range of unique and innovative styles, and we aim to match the right talent with the right production in terms of skill and artistic style. Please see the job description below to better understand how we match skills to certain show types.  

By submitting an application for this Unreal Engine Animation Generalist role, you may be considered for any Unreal Engine Animation Generalist positions that arise until the expiration date provided.  

Applications submitted to this job posting will remain valid until December 31, 2026. 

What you will do  

The Realtime Animation Generalist will partner with DTVA animation project teams to define specific Unreal Engine based pipeline standards and workflows to support creative, budget and schedule goals, and partner with Studio Production, Post and Technology teams to plan, deploy, maintain and support optimal UE workflows and inform pipeline tool decisions.  Performs “on -the-box” production work on various UE projects across various animation disciplines to meet project vision, style, tone and performance language.

Responsibilities:

• Partner closely with Production, Post and Technology leadership to define and clarify realtime pipeline standards and innovation goals, and to strategize around accommodating specific project needs

• Drive ongoing pipeline improvement through testing, analysis, research and feedback on emerging technologies and practices in close partnership with systems and software teams

• Partner with animation project teams, beginning in development, to translate creative vision into pipeline options/requirements, advising on potential tools and workflows to meet creative, schedule and budget goals

• Operate “on the box” in live creative working sessions, translating ideas into animation tests, look development, performance studies, animatic-support materials, and prototype workflows that support creative, production and technology decision-making.

• Create and revise assets and scenes across multiple production stages (model, rigging, 3D storyboarding, previs, editorial, layout, animation, effects lighting, etc.)

• Partner with TDs, CG Sups and technology to support transfer of between UE and traditional (Maya) pipelines, and to create new assets with UE

• Document and communicate pre-production, production and post-production workflows, technical standards and delivery specifications for UE projects

• Operate independently on exploratory projects while also working with larger production teams

• Maintain good relationships with internal project teams and contracted animation service studios to continually explore and elevate realtime creative and technical workflows, helping with problem solving as necessary

• Mentor and advise filmmakers, showrunners and other artists new to realtime production

• Additional duties as necessary, including show documentation style guides and bibles

Required Qualifications and Skills 

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in animation series and/or feature production, preferably at major studio

• Expert knowledge and experience in Realtime (Unreal) production pipelines and processes

• Broad UE generalist skill set, including layout, editorial, modeling, rigging, surfacing, lighting, cameras, animation integration, rendering, asset management, and optimization.

• Demonstrated excellence in least one, preferably multiple animation skill sets including layout, editorial, modeling, rigging, surfacing, lighting, cameras, animation integration, rendering, asset management, and optimization.

• Broad experience in multiple animation departments, pipelines and styles

• Experience integrating assets from standard DCC packages such as Maya, Blender, Houdini, Photoshop, After Effects, or comparable tools.

• Familiarity with Perforce, asset management systems, or collaborative real-time production workflows

• Experience in short form, interactive or game cinematics

• Strong understanding of creative and technical animation filmmaking fundamentals including camera, character animation, effects, art direction and lighting

• Experience driving change in animation production environment

• Track record of proactive, solution-oriented approach to identifying areas of improvement at an animation studio and following through to achieve results

• Comfortable working in both early exploratory stages and fast-paced production delivery environments

• Demonstrated interest in emerging creative technologies, real-time workflows, and new production methodologies.

• Familiarity with F-track a plus

• Unix shell scripting a plus

• Thrives in a highly creative, collaborative, iterative environment

• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills

Education

• Bachelor degree or equivalent work experience 

  

Job Location

• This is a fully on-site role based in Glendale, CA  

The pay rate for this role in California is $61.23 to $80.00 per hour, which follows the pay scale agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The base pay actually offered may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.