Senior Layout Artist - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)
About The Position
Blizzard Entertainment is seeking an experienced 3D generalist to join its cinematics layout department as a Senior Layout Artist. The layout department facilitates the flow of assets across modeling, surfacing, rigging, animation, simulation, FX, lighting, and compositing. The artist will work with previz, modeling, and rigging to turn rough scenes into production-ready shots; support animation and camera work with environments, continuity, and troubleshooting; and coordinate with modeling, animation, and FX on set creation and shot-by-shot set dressing. Broad technical and artistic knowledge of 3D pipelines, shot composition, and film language is important. The role is anticipated to be hybrid, with some work on-site and some work from home. Irvine, California, is the potential home studio, though other arrangements, including remote work, may be explored. This is approximately a four-month temporary position with a mid-January 2027 start date. The role uses Maya to translate and compose previz into shot assemblies, create or adjust set dressing and static character poses, support animation and other departments, and prepare scenes and preview renders for review. The artist will organize assets, address gaps, resolve technical and artistic issues, and collaborate with programmers, artists, supervisors, directors, and production staff to improve tools, processes, communication, and workflows across multiple projects and pipelines. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and online demo reel. The U.S. standard base pay range is $39.54–$73.16 per hour. Specific compensation depends on factors including experience, performance, and work location; incentive compensation may also be available but is not guaranteed.
Requirements
- At least 8 years of production or feature-film experience in a layout or 3D generalist role.
- Experience building and dressing sets and environments and composing shots for production.
- In-depth technical and artistic knowledge of 3D pipelines.
- Solid understanding of storytelling, film, and composition principles.
- Skills in modeling, rigging, animation, and cameras.
- Some knowledge of surfacing, lighting, rendering, and compositing.
- Familiarity with scripting, especially in a 3D environment.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to learn and work independently and creatively with diverse personalities under resource- and time-limited conditions.
- Submit a resume, cover letter, and online demo reel.
Nice To Haves
- Extensive experience with Maya or Houdini.
- Knowledge and experience with Unreal or other game engines.
- Experience with RenderMan and/or Redshift renderers.
- Proficiency in Python scripting.
- Familiarity with USD.
- Expert written and oral organization and communication skills.
- A thirst for learning and a knack for efficiency.
- A passion for Blizzard games, stories, characters, and worlds.
Responsibilities
- Use Maya to translate and help compose previz into shot assemblies and deliver scenes ready for animation.
- Create, add, or adjust set dressing, static character poses, and crowd cycles to support final shot composition.
- Support animation and other departments at various stages; manage shot configurations and preview renders for quality review.
- Organize assets, fill gaps, and identify and solve technical and artistic problems not addressed by other departments or standard pipeline procedures.
- Work with programmers, artists, supervisors, directors, and production staff across multiple projects and pipelines to develop, fix, or improve tools and processes and support communication and efficient workflows.
- Work with previz, modeling, and rigging to translate rough scenes into production-ready shots.
- Support animation and camera teams with environments, continuity, and troubleshooting.
- Coordinate with modeling, animation, and FX on set creation and shot-by-shot set dressing.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Health savings account or health reimbursement account.
- Healthcare and dependent-care spending accounts.
- Life and AD&D insurance.
- Disability insurance.
- 401(k) with Company match.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Charitable donation matching.
- Paid holidays and vacation.
- Paid sick time and floating holidays.
- Compassion and bereavement leaves.
- Parental leave.
- Mental health and wellbeing programs.
- Fitness programs.
- Free and discounted games.
- Other voluntary benefit programs, including supplemental life and disability insurance, legal services, ID protection, and rental insurance.
- Relocation assistance may be available if the Company requires a geographic move for the job.
- Incentive compensation may be available but is not guaranteed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
