Motion Designer

Saronic Technologies•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Motion Designer to make its maritime autonomy technology understandable and memorable through precise, cinematic motion. The role creates work for tradeshow screens, partner demonstrations, product and capability films, executive briefings, recruiting, and social channels. The designer joins a multidisciplinary Design function spanning Brand, Industrial, 3D/Visualization, Product, and Video, and will help establish Saronic’s motion language and systems from the ground up. The position combines 2D and 3D motion design, technical storytelling, visual direction, and end-to-end production. It translates complex subjects—including autonomy, sensors, vessel systems, and operational concepts—into clear animation, while collaborating with designers, visualization artists, engineers, and cross-functional teams. The designer is expected to manage multiple projects and timelines, support events and demos, and handle sensitive and export-controlled information in accordance with company guidelines and clearance processes. The role requires on-site work and occasional travel for events, shoots, and demos. Physical demands include prolonged sitting and computer work, occasional standing and walking, operating office equipment, reading screens and documents, occasional reaching or bending, and occasionally lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

At least 5 years of professional motion design experience in-house, at a studio, or equivalent, with a portfolio demonstrating exceptional craft, taste, and range; a reel is required.
Mastery of Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, with strong fundamentals in design, typography, composition, color, and timing.
Working proficiency in 3D and real-time tools such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Unreal Engine, and a production renderer such as Redshift, Octane, or Cycles.
Strong After Effects compositing skills, including multipass CG renders, EXR workflows, and color-managed pipelines such as ACES/OCIO.
Experience designing UI, HUD, or data-visualization motion and sci-fi-grade interfaces.
Experience building motion systems, templates, and guidelines for a team.
Ability to take concepts from initial idea through style frames to polished final delivery with minimal oversight.
Experience making complex technical or product ideas simple and compelling.
Strong storytelling instincts and ability to explain and defend creative decisions.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working with cross-functional partners.
Comfort working in fast-moving, ambiguous environments with shifting priorities.
Ability to work on-site and travel occasionally for events, shoots, and demos.

Nice To Haves

Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, autonomy, or other deep-tech companies.
Experience with Lottie and Rive, especially Rive for interactive UI and product motion.
Experience with TouchDesigner for interactive and experimental work, such as conference experiences and physical installations.
Experience with Houdini, Nuke, DaVinci Resolve, or Figma, including Figma-to-motion workflows.
Sound design and music editing skills, or experience directing audio.
Familiarity with maritime, naval, or DoD/military industry environments.

Responsibilities

Concept and create high-end 2D and 3D motion graphics, title sequences, kinetic typography, and animated explainers for product, brand, and mission storytelling.
Translate technical subjects such as autonomy, sensors, vessel systems, and operational concepts into clear, compelling animation.
Design and animate UI and data-driven sequences, including HUDs, maps, telemetry, and interface walkthroughs.
Integrate renders and CG assets from the 3D/Visualization team, collaborating on look development, lighting, and camera language.
Develop style frames, storyboards, and animatics to pitch and align on creative direction before production.
Define and maintain Saronic’s motion system, including timing, easing, transitions, motion typography, templates, and reusable assets.
Extend Saronic’s brand identity into motion across channels and ensure work feels consistent with the brand.
Contribute to team quality through critique, mentorship, and sharing techniques and tools.
Own projects from brief through final delivery, balancing craft with tight timelines and concurrent requests.
Edit, sound-design or direct sound design, and finish pieces for event displays, broadcast, web, and social in appropriate specifications and formats.
Manage project files, versioning, and asset libraries so work is organized, reusable, and ready for handoff.
Explore and adopt real-time and AI-assisted tools when they improve quality or speed without compromising standards.
Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, Sales, Software, Engineering, and Product to understand objectives and ensure messaging is accurate and aligned.
Partner with the Video team and external directors, producers, studios, or freelancers when projects require additional scale.
Support events and demos with on-brand motion assets, sometimes on short turnarounds.
Incorporate stakeholder feedback, including feedback from senior leadership, into improved work.
Handle sensitive and export-controlled information according to company guidelines, and work with security and legal partners to ensure published content is cleared.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical insurance; Saronic pays 100% of employee premiums and 80% of dependent premiums.
Dental and vision coverage; Saronic pays 100% of the basic-plan premium for employees and 80% for dependents.
Generous paid time off and holidays.
Paid maternity and paternity leave.
Competitive, industry-standard salary with opportunities for performance-based bonuses.
401(k) plan with company match.
Stock options.
Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Discounted pet insurance options, including a 24/7 telehealth helpline.
Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office.