Animation Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

It's our heritage and it's also our future. Because we don't just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

Mattel Studios is seeking a Sr. Manager, Adult & Four-Quad TV Animation to help drive the development and execution of a slate of premium animated programming based on Mattel's dynamic portfolio of brands. This role serves as a key creative lead across assigned projects, partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external creative partners to deliver compelling, brand-defining storytelling for television, streaming, and emerging digital platforms.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Mattel Studios Animation Creative (Adult & Four-Quad), this position requires an experienced creative executive with a proven ability to manage projects across development and production, provide strong creative leadership, and collaborate across multiple business functions. The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and passionate about animation, with exceptional storytelling instincts and a deep understanding of the evolving entertainment landscape, particularly within adult and four-quadrant programming.

• Lead the creative development and execution of assigned long-form and short-form animated projects across television, streaming, and digital platforms.
• Serve as the primary creative executive on select projects while partnering closely with senior creative leadership on priority franchise initiatives.
• Drive compelling story development in collaboration with writers, producers, studios, showrunners, and creative talent to ensure engaging, brand-aligned storytelling.
• Provide creative leadership and thoughtful editorial feedback throughout all stages of development and production, including pitches, outlines, scripts, visual development, casting, animatics, edits, and final delivery.
• Partner cross-functionally with Franchise, Consumer Products, Marketing, Publishing, Digital, and other internal teams to ensure content supports broader franchise and business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with production studios, creators, agents, writers, and other industry partners.
• Identify emerging creative talent, new storytelling opportunities, and innovative content formats that support future franchise growth.
• Manage multiple concurrent productions and development projects while maintaining creative excellence, brand consistency, and alignment with business priorities.
• Collaborate closely with production and studio teams to proactively solve creative and production challenges while maintaining schedules and quality expectations.
• Contribute to greenlight discussions, franchise planning conversations, and creative reviews by providing thoughtful recommendations and creative insight.
• Monitor trends in animation, streaming, comedy, digital media, and audience behavior to inform creative recommendations and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Develop presentations, pitch materials, creative summaries, and executive-facing documents that effectively communicate project vision and progress.
• Serve as a key liaison for creative asset requests, project communication, and coordination across internal and external partners.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day guidance to junior team members and coordinators, fostering collaboration and creative excellence.

• 8+ years of experience in animation, television, streaming, or digital content development and production.
• Demonstrated success managing creative projects across multiple stages of development and production.
• Strong understanding of storytelling fundamentals, including character development, structure, pacing, comedy, and emotional resonance for Adult and Four-Quad Animation.
• Proven ability to lead creative discussions, provide clear and constructive feedback, and positively influence creative outcomes.
• Experience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment properties.
• Strong visual storytelling sensibility and understanding of animation production pipelines from concept through final delivery.
• Experience developing content for multiple audience demographics, including adult animation and co-viewing audiences.
• Highly organized with exceptional project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, and relationship management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including script analysis and editorial note-giving.
• Demonstrated passion for creative excellence and high-quality storytelling.
• Meaningful experience in comedy programming is highly desirable.

• Experience overseeing both long-form and short-form animated content.
• Strong understanding of platform-specific content strategies across broadcast, streaming, and digital ecosystems.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships within the television, streaming, and animation creative communities.
• Experience collaborating on global franchise and brand initiatives.
• Strong PowerPoint, presentation development, and visual storytelling skills.
• Passion for comedy across both animated and live-action programming.

• Evaluate incoming creative material and identify projects that align with Mattel Studios' content strategy and creative priorities.
• Develop recommendations for writers, directors, creators, and talent while maintaining awareness of emerging industry voices and trends.
• Deliver high-quality, audience-driven content that supports Mattel's franchise and business objectives.
• Demonstrate creative leadership and ownership across assigned productions while consistently delivering strong creative outcomes.
• Successfully manage multiple development and production projects while balancing creative quality, timelines, and business priorities.
• Build trusted partnerships with internal teams, production partners, creators, and studios that enable efficient collaboration and successful project execution.
• Contribute valuable creative insight that strengthens franchise development, supports greenlight discussions, and helps position Mattel Studios as a leader in premium animated entertainment.

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate:Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate:At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute:We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences.Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch: The Culture at Mattel Corporate Philanthropy.