Job description
Studio Arcadia is seeking a Lead Animator to join our fast-paced, creative team in Los Angeles. This full-time role blends leadership with hands-on animation across 2D and 3D projects for film, television, and interactive media.
As a Lead Animator, you will guide the animation pipeline, mentor junior artists, and collaborate with directors and designers to define the visual language of our productions. You’ll craft expressive performances, oversee shot timing, and ensure delivery of high-quality animation that meets creative and technical standards.
We offer a collaborative studio environment, competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to work on projects that reach audiences worldwide.
Responsibility
- Lead the animation pipeline from concept to final delivery across 2D and 3D projects
- Collaborate with directors, storyboard artists, and rigging/pipeline teams to plan shots and define timing
- Mentor and review work of junior animators, providing constructive feedback and training
- Animate key sequences with strong acting, emotion, and clear storytelling
- Develop and maintain animation style guides to ensure consistency across scenes
- Optimize assets for production pipelines and real-time engines when applicable
- Balance creative vision with technical constraints to meet deadlines and budget
- Contribute to new project pitches, mood boards, and previsualization efforts
Qualification
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in 2D/3D animation with a strong portfolio
- Proficiency in industry-standard tools (e.g., Maya, Blender, After Effects, Harmony)
- Solid understanding of acting, timing, weight, and expressive performance
- Experience with rigging, shading, lighting, and rendering workflows
- Strong storytelling ability and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary team
- Portfolio showcasing range across styles and genres; experience with character animation preferred
- Ability to manage multiple shots and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Film, or a related field or equivalent work experience