Based in the breathtaking paradise of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Atlantis Animation is seeking an experienced, visionary Lead Compositor for a 10-month, full-time, on-site contract spanning from June 2026 to April 2027. In this high-profile leadership role, you will help spearhead the visual execution of the highly anticipated animated series ‘Messi and the Giants’, an epic saga co-produced by Sony and broadcasted globally by Disney.
Acting as the vital bridge between high-level creative directors, production management, and the artist team, you will be responsible for assigning work, mentoring a talented group of compositors, maintaining absolute visual consistency across sequences, and ensuring every final image meets rigorous studio and client quality standards.Spain jobs.
The ideal candidate brings a minimum of six years of professional experience on CG-heavy projects, expert-level mastery of Foundry Nuke, a strong artistic eye for composition and lighting, and excellent leadership skills. This unique opportunity allows you to leave your mark on a major global IP while enjoying an unmatched quality of life in the Canary Islands—all backed by a secure, fixed-term employee contract.
Spain Job Overview : Lead Compositor
| Key Specification | Details |
| Position | Lead Compositor |
| Location | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (100% On-Site) |
| Employment Type | Full-Time, Fixed-Term Employee Contract (No Freelance / Remote) |
| Duration | Approximately 10 Months (June 2026 – April 2027) |
| Industry | Animation, Visual Effects, Entertainment |
| Project Background | ‘Messi and the Giants’ (Co-produced by Sony Music Vision, Sony Pictures Television Kids, and Leo Messi Management for Disney) |
About Atlantis Animation
Based in the breathtaking, sun-drenched paradise of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Atlantis Animation is not just a studio—it is a hub where cutting-edge technology meets world-class creative talent. Our mission is to redefine the boundaries of high-quality animated series and feature films. By pairing an exceptional global team with the unique strategic and cultural advantages of the Canary Islands, we have established ourselves as a premier destination for major international broadcasters and global streaming giants.
Our portfolio speaks to our dedication to craft and storytelling. Atlantis Animation proudly produced the sensational series Tara Duncan and the globally acclaimed Miraculous Ladybug (Season 5), both of which have captivated millions of viewers on Disney Channel and Disney+.
We are now embarking on our next monumental adventure: the highly anticipated animated series ‘Messi and the Giants’. Co-produced alongside industry titans Sony Music Vision, Sony Pictures Television Kids, and Leo Messi Management, this epic saga will be broadcast worldwide by Disney. The series follows a young boy named Leo who is suddenly transported from his home in Argentina into a fantastical, dangerous, and awe-inspiring alternate universe.
If you are a seasoned visual storyteller who thrives on artistic challenges, possesses a deep mechanical and artistic understanding of the compositing pipeline, and carries that special inner magic spark, we invite you to help us bring this epic journey to life. Spain jobs
Position Overview
Atlantis Animation is seeking an experienced, visionary, and highly organized Lead Compositor to join our leadership team in Tenerife. In this role, you will act as the vital bridge between the project’s high-level creative directors and the talented artists executing the work on the ground.
Working in close collaboration with the Compositing Supervisor, VFX Supervisor, and the Production team, you will help bid, schedule, and execute a complex, high-end compositing pipeline. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the compositing team—delegating shots, mentoring junior and mid-level artists, and maintaining the creative and technical integrity of every single frame before it reaches the client.
This is a 100% on-site role in our Tenerife studio. It offers a rare opportunity to lead a premium, high-profile project for Disney while enjoying the unparalleled quality of life that the Canary Islands provide.
Key Responsibilities as Lead Compositor
As the Lead Compositor, your day-to-day responsibilities will span across three core pillars: Team Leadership & Mentorship, Creative & Technical Execution, and Pipeline & Production Management.
1. Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Direct Supervision: Lead, inspire, and mentor an international team of compositors. Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented environment where artists feel supported and creatively challenged.
- Task Delegation: Strategically assign and delegate shots and sequences based on individual artist strengths, project complexity, and delivery deadlines.
- Dailies & Reviews: Lead daily internal reviews with the compositing team to provide constructive, actionable feedback. Ensure the team remains aligned with the visual expectations of the project.
- Client Interface: Attend client reviews alongside supervisors to absorb feedback, translate complex creative notes into clear technical instructions for your team, and defend the artistic choices made by the studio.
2. Creative & Technical Excellence
- Visual Consistency: Maintain a meticulous eye for detail to ensure absolute continuity and visual consistency across multiple sequences, environments, and episodes.
- Quality Control: Cross-check final renders against rigorous studio and client standards. Ensure that lighting, color depth, grading, depth of field, and integration are flawless before submission.
- Creative Problem Solving: Develop innovative, visually stunning solutions to enhance shots, elevate the mood, and support the overarching narrative of Messi and the Giants.
- Standardization: Establish and enforce clean, well-structured Nuke script architectures, naming conventions, and file organization practices across the entire team.
3. Pipeline & Production Management
- Workflow Optimization: Support the development, testing, and deployment of look-development templates, master setups, and workflow gizmos to maximize team efficiency.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Proactively communicate and collaborate with upstream departments (Lighting, Rendering, Asset, and FX teams) as well as Pipeline TD teams to troubleshoot technical bottlenecks and optimize data flow.
- Schedule Maintenance: Monitor overall shot progress against the production schedule provided by the production company, proactively flagging potential delays and offering strategic solutions to keep deliveries on track.
Candidate Profile & Requirements
The ideal candidate is a blend of an elite technical compositor and an empathetic, organized leader. You should possess a profound passion for the medium of animation and a proven track record of delivering premium, CG-heavy content on tight timelines.
Educational & Professional Experience
- Experience: A minimum of six (6) years of professional compositing experience within the film, television, or animation industries.
- Leadership Background: Proven track record acting in a Lead, Key, or Senior role on complex, CG-heavy projects (stylized or photorealistic 3D animation experience is highly preferred).
Technical Skills
- Software Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of Foundry Nuke. You must know the software inside and out, from advanced keying and deep compositing to complex projection setups.
- Template Creation: Demonstrated experience creating robust, flexible gizmos and master template workflows that can be easily adopted by artists of varying experience levels.
- Coding/Scripting (Bonus): Proficiency in Python scripting within Nuke or general pipeline integration is considered a strong asset, though not strictly mandatory.
- Cinematic Fundamentals: A rock-solid understanding of photography, lens behavior, camera principles, parallax, and real-world lighting behaviors.
Artistic & Soft Skills
- Artistic Eye: An exceptional aesthetic sense for composition, color theory, lighting integration, atmospheric perspective, and cinematic mood.
- Communication: Flawless written and spoken English communication skills. The ability to articulate complex technical issues simply to production staff and clients is essential.
- Organization: Superior multitasking and organizational skills, with a proven ability to remain calm, structured, and focused under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Legal & Logistics
- Work Authorization: You must possess a valid EU or Spanish work permit at the time of application.
- Relocation: Full availability and willingness to work 100% on-site at our studio in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the duration of the 10-month contract.
What We Offer
A Dream Project: The chance to put your stamp on a major global IP (Messi and the Giants) backed by Sony and Disney, ensuring massive global visibility for your portfolio.
Unmatched Location: Live and work in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a vibrant city offering a perfect blend of rich culture, stunning beaches, year-round subtropical climate, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.
Premium Studio Culture: Join a highly diverse, international team of passionate creatives who value collaboration, mutual respect, and innovation.
Professional Stability: A fixed-term, full-time employee contract with standard Spanish social security benefits, paid vacation days, and legal protections (this is a secure staff position, not a freelance arrangement).
How to Apply
If you are ready to embark on an unexpected adventure and lead a world-class team of compositors in paradise, we want to hear from you.
Please submit your application, including:
Your updated CV/Resume highlighting your leadership experience.
A link to your current Demoreel/Portfolio along with a detailed Breakdown Sheet explaining your specific contributions and technical setups for each shot.
A brief cover letter letting us know why you are the perfect fit for Atlantis Animation and the Messi and the Giants project.
Atlantis Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
