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Disney Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Walt Disney Animation Studios; Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The ...

Walt Disney Animation Studios; Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The ...

Our Walt Disney Studios team works on titles that include a wide variety of blockbuster films distributed under the Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt ...

Our Walt Disney Studios team works on titles that include a wide variety of blockbuster films distributed under the Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt ...

Our Walt Disney Studios team works on titles that include a wide variety of blockbuster films distributed under the Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt ...

Our Walt Disney Studios team works on titles that include a wide variety of blockbuster films distributed under the Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt ...

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Disney Animation information

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$10

$38

$69

How much do disney animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for disney animation in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Disney Animation?

A Disney Animation job involves working in various roles to create animated films and series for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Positions range from artists, animators, and storyboard artists to technical roles like software engineers and production coordinators. Employees collaborate to bring stories to life using cutting-edge technology, storytelling techniques, and artistic skills. Each role contributes to the animation pipeline, ensuring high-quality storytelling and visuals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Disney Animation?

To thrive in Disney Animation, you need strong artistic abilities in drawing, character design, and storytelling, often underpinned by a degree in animation or related fields. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and Toon Boom Harmony, as well as familiarity with storyboarding and digital sculpting tools, is essential. Creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication are important soft skills for integrating feedback and working within multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure high-quality, innovative animated content that meets Disney's rigorous storytelling and visual standards.

What is a typical work environment like for professionals in Disney Animation?

Disney Animation professionals typically work in collaborative studio settings, where creative teams including animators, storyboard artists, riggers, and technical directors come together on projects. Daily work often involves team meetings, creative reviews, and close coordination with various departments to ensure consistency in storytelling and visual style. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with frequent opportunities to learn new tools and processes. Career growth at Disney Animation is supported through mentorship, internal training programs, and opportunities to take on increasing creative or technical responsibilities as you gain experience.

How can I work for Disney Animation?

To work for Disney Animation, candidates typically need relevant skills in animation, illustration, or related fields, along with a strong portfolio or demo reel. Applying through the Disney Careers website or industry job boards is common, and a background in digital tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Autodesk software is often required. Internships and entry-level positions are available for those starting their careers in animation.

How to get into Disney Animation?

To get into Disney Animation as an artist or animator, candidates typically need a strong portfolio demonstrating their skills in drawing, storytelling, or animation, along with relevant education such as a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Experience with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Autodesk Maya, along with a good understanding of storytelling and character development, is also important. Applying through Disney's careers website and networking within the industry can improve chances of entry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Disney Animation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Disney Animation jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Disney Animation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Disney Animation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Disney Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Disney Animation job openings:

Infographic showing various Disney Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Unreal Engine Animation Generalist - Disney Television Animation

The Walt Disney Company

Glendale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Walt Disney Company rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 52 rated entertainment


Job description

Job Posting Title:

Unreal Engine Animation Generalist - Disney Television Animation

Req ID:

10158981

Job Description:

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 integraltoThe Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families' homes across the globe.

DTVA createsboth long-form and short-form content spanningtraditional2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion.We createshows ina 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.

Bysubmittingan applicationfor thisUnreal Engine Animation Generalistrole, youmaybeconsideredforany Unreal Engine Animation Generalistpositions that arise until theexpirationdate provided.

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

Whatyou willdo

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

  • Bachelordegree 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.

Job Posting Segment:

Disney Branded Television

Job Posting Primary Business:

TVA Production Management

Primary Job Posting Category:

Physical Production

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-08-20

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

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