Technical Director Intern, Char Mod/Rig - Summer 2025

Job ID R-03843 Location Emeryville, California, United States Business Pixar Animation Studios Date posted Dec. 04, 2024

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Job Summary:

Pixar is offering an exciting opportunity geared towards students interested in pursuing a career on animated feature films as Characters Model/Rigging Technical Director. In this role, you will work closely with our Technical Directors (TDs) to construct and shape the character's 3D geometry, and the delivery of a well-designed set of animation controls for manipulating that geometry.

Responsibilities:

Construct organic looking models and environments, using both manual and procedural techniques.
Work with technical leads, reviewing and revising work as necessary to gain Production Designer and Director approval.
Implement modeling and shading variations to provide objects the look that is required for the particular character being built.
Create clean and efficient assets and support downstream departments.

Qualifications:

Studying computer science, computer graphics, digital art or a related field
Programming experience in C/C++ and/or a scripting language such as Python
Familiar with 3D software packages (Houdini, Maya, Katana, RenderMan, etc.)
Can visualize a three-dimensional character derived from two-dimensional drawings
A deep understanding of physical motion, weight, balance, texture and form
Possess an ability to follow art direction but also demonstrate initiative
Familiarity with Unix/Linux systems
Can demonstrate your sense of aesthetics by submitting an online demo reel
This is a six-month internship. You will need to be available to work full-time Mon - Fri for 24-weeks between June – December 2025
You must already possess the legal right to work in the United States

Eligibility:

Traditional Academic Paths:

Currently enrolled as a junior or greater in a collegiate program.
Recent grads who are in their first year after graduation are still eligible to apply.

Less Traditional Professional Paths:

Career Transition: Those with a minimum of 5 years post-college graduation and whose professional experiences in a work/academic environment differ vastly from animation, VFX, gaming, and other computer graphics-focused industries
Armed Forces: Those who have served in the armed forces and are in a retraining program
Home Schooled: Those who are self-taught via an alternative educational path

Visa Sponsorship:

Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor student / intern visas at this time

Submission process and application materials:

Attach a single PDF file containing your cover letter and resume.
Provide a link to your online demo reel in the "Demo Reel” section of the application; without this, you will not be considered for the internship.
If your demo reel is password protected, please include the correct password.
Due to the high volume of submissions, we cannot provide feedback or requests for updates on the process. However, you will receive an email acknowledging the successful receipt of your online application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, February 2, 2025

The pay rate for this internship in Emeryville is $28.00 per hour.

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About Pixar Animation Studios:

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renoinswned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Inside Out,” and “Coco.” Its movies have won 35 Academy Awards® and have grossed more than $13 billion at the worldwide box office to date.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Pixar Inc., which is part of a business we call Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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