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Internship Indie Animation Studio Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PT Instructor Pool - Animation

Madison, WI · On-site

$16.75 - $22/hr

... Internship, Animation Portfolio and Advanced Animation Studio 2. 2. Plan, develop and implement appropriate instructional and alternative delivery strategies, including but not limited to ...

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

... studios to identify potential partnership opportunities. Job Qualifications The Must-Haves ... Previous internship, customer service, retail, campus leadership, or sales lead generation ...

Join with digital art faculty to cultivate a lively animation studio culture and help set ... internships, and capstone thesis projects. * Encourage and support our students in developing ...

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Partner with the Creature Art and Tech Animation teams to pioneer new rendering techniques ...

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Internship Indie Animation Studio information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern at an indie animation studio, and why are they important?

To thrive as an intern at an indie animation studio, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, basic drawing or design skills, and familiarity with animation workflows, often supported by coursework or a relevant portfolio. Experience with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Blender is typically expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability are vital soft skills for collaborating in a creative, fast-paced environment. These abilities enable interns to contribute effectively to projects, learn quickly, and support the studio’s production goals.

What is the difference between Internship Indie Animation Studio vs Animation Intern?

AspectInternship Indie Animation StudioAnimation Intern
Required CredentialsBasic knowledge of animation software, relevant courseworkSimilar; often students or recent graduates
Work EnvironmentCreative studio setting, collaborative teamsOffice or remote, depending on company
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by indie studios, small to mid-sized animation companiesCommonly used in larger studios, educational programs
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for entry-level animation experience in indie studiosSeeking internship opportunities in animation

Internship Indie Animation Studio and Animation Intern roles are similar entry-level positions focused on gaining practical experience in animation. The main difference lies in the context: internships at indie studios often involve smaller teams and more hands-on roles, while animation internships in larger companies may have more structured programs. Both roles require basic animation skills and are aimed at students or recent graduates eager to build their portfolios.

What types of projects do interns typically work on at an indie animation studio, and how much creative input can they expect to have?

Interns at indie animation studios often get hands-on experience with a variety of projects, such as short films, web series, or promotional animations. Due to the smaller team sizes, interns usually have the opportunity to contribute creatively—whether it's through storyboarding, character design, or even animating short sequences. Collaboration is common, and interns frequently work directly with experienced animators and directors, allowing for meaningful feedback and skill development. This environment fosters learning and provides a chance to build a strong portfolio with real-world projects.

What are internship positions at an indie animation studio?

Internship positions at indie animation studios are temporary roles designed for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the animation industry. Interns may assist with tasks such as storyboarding, character design, animation, editing, and production coordination. These positions provide valuable insight into the creative and technical processes behind independent animation, often allowing interns to work closely with experienced animators and artists. Internships can help build a portfolio and establish industry connections, which are crucial for a career in animation.
More about Internship Indie Animation Studio jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Indie Animation Studio jobs? Cities with the most Internship Indie Animation Studio job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Animation Studio jobs? The most popular types of Indie Animation Studio jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Indie Animation Studio jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Indie Animation Studio jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Indie Animation Studio job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 15% Internship, 59% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 70% In-person, and 30% Remote job distribution.

Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) - Remote or On-Site

Studio Wildcard

Seattle, WA • On-site, Remote

$70K - $90K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us build ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.
We're looking for an exceptionally talented Technical Animator who lives and breathes Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. You will own high-impact animation systems that bring creatures, characters, and gameplay to life. This is a systems-focused technical animation role: deep expertise in visual programming (AnimBPs + Control Rig) is the core requirement. Comfort with programming logic is essential, but day-to-day C++ work is not the focus.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
  • Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
  • Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
  • Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
  • Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems

Requirements:
  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title.
  • Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems).
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using Unreal Engine 5

Pluses:
  • C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
  • Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with Rigging and Animation
  • Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
  • Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
  • Houdini experience

Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing
  • Portfolio or examples demonstrating Animation Blueprint and/or Control Rig work

About Studio Wildcard
Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.
Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options