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3D Animator Intern Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity We're looking for a UI/UX Design Intern to join our Product & UI/UX team at our ... Unity or 3D visualization tools * Motion graphics or animation * Blender, 3ds Max, or other 3D ...

3D Animator Intern information

What does a 3d animator intern do?

A 3D Animator Intern assists in creating animated sequences and visual effects for films, video games, or other media using specialized software like Maya or Blender. They often work under the guidance of senior animators, helping to model, rig, and animate 3D characters or objects. Interns may also participate in team meetings, receive feedback, and learn industry-standard animation techniques to develop their skills and portfolios.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as a 3d animator intern?

As a 3D Animator Intern, you will typically assist in creating animation sequences for characters, props, or environments under the guidance of senior animators. Your daily work may involve developing animation cycles, refining motion curves, or helping with rigging, depending on the team's needs. You'll likely collaborate closely with modelers, riggers, and supervisors to ensure animations align with project requirements, and you'll receive regular feedback to help improve your technical and creative skills. This hands-on experience is designed to give you exposure to the full animation pipeline and prepare you for more advanced roles in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3d animator intern, and why are they important?

To succeed as a 3D Animator Intern, you generally need a solid understanding of animation principles, basic 3D modeling, and a portfolio demonstrating your creative and technical abilities, often supported by coursework or a related degree in animation or digital arts. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D is crucial, and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is often beneficial. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills help you integrate feedback, work within a team, and manage tight deadlines. These competencies are essential for producing high-quality animations that meet project requirements and industry standards.

What is the difference between 3D Animator Intern vs 3D Animator?

Aspect3D Animator Intern3D Animator
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in animation, art, or related fieldProfessional degree or equivalent experience in animation or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in studios or production companiesFull-time professional role in studios, gaming, or film industries
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with animation tasks, learning workflows, supporting senior animatorsCreating complex animations, managing projects, collaborating with teams

The main difference between a 3D Animator Intern and a 3D Animator is experience level and responsibility. Interns are in training, assisting with tasks, and gaining industry knowledge, while 3D Animators are experienced professionals responsible for producing high-quality animations and managing projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Animator jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of 3D Animator jobs in Michigan are:

Infographic showing various 3D Animator Intern job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

UI/UX Design Intern

Ottawa Infotainment

Detroit, MI • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 4 hours ago


Job description

About Ottawa Infotainment

At Ottawa Infotainment, we’re building the next generation of intelligent vehicle platforms: rethinking the digital cockpit through high-performance compute, embedded software, safety-critical systems, and AI-driven experiences.

Our core platform, DragonFire OS, enables automakers to create customizable, software-defined cockpit experiences across a wide range of vehicles, from electric motorcycles to autonomous commercial fleets. From our Global HQ in Ottawa to our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central, we are engineering the future of mobility.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a UI/UX Design Intern to join our Product & UI/UX team at our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central.

This is not a traditional internship. You’ll work directly alongside experienced automotive HMI designers and engineers contributing to real production vehicle programs, concept platforms, and next-generation cockpit experiences.

You’ll help shape digital interfaces that may ultimately appear in production vehicles and major technology showcases, including CES 2027.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about mobility, interaction design, visual storytelling, and the future of software-defined vehicles.

What You’ll Work On

  • Design next-generation digital cockpit experiences for automotive platforms
  • Create high-fidelity UI concepts for instrument clusters, infotainment systems, and connected vehicle experiences
  • Build scalable design systems and component libraries in Figma
  • Develop interactive prototypes demonstrating motion, transitions, and system behavior
  • Work on experiences spanning:
    • Electric and autonomous vehicles
    • Motorcycles and powersports
    • Commercial and fleet vehicles
    • Sports cars and premium passenger vehicles
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, embedded software, and systems engineering teams
  • Create journey maps, UX flows, wireframes, and storytelling artifacts
  • Participate in design reviews, research activities, and rapid concept development
  • Help shape the future visual identity of DragonFire OS and related platforms

What We’re Looking For

  • Strong proficiency in Figma and interactive prototyping
  • Understanding of UI/UX fundamentals, information architecture, and visual design systems
  • Passion for automotive, mobility, consumer technology, or industrial design
  • Ability to think both creatively and systematically
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Bonus Experience

  • Android Automotive (AAOS)
  • Unity or 3D visualization tools
  • Motion graphics or animation
  • Blender, 3ds Max, or other 3D tools
  • Interest in automotive HMI or embedded interfaces
  • Experience building portfolio-quality prototype work

Why Join Oi

  • Work on real vehicle programs, not mock exercises
  • Design interfaces that could appear in production vehicles
  • Collaborate with experienced automotive UI/UX leaders
  • Join a startup moving at high speed while solving OEM-scale challenges
  • Work from Detroit’s innovation hub inside Newlab at Michigan Central
  • Help shape the future of software-defined vehicles and intelligent mobility