ICON Creative Studio Hiring Lead Animator

About ICON Creative Studio

Situated in the historic, cobblestoned heart of Vancouver’s Gastown district, ICON Creative Studio stands as Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company. We are a studio built by artists, for artists, partnering with global powerhouses like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Peacock, and Paramount+ to deliver world-class animated content. Our success is anchored in a holistic philosophy that balances technical efficiency with uncompromising creative ambition, ensuring that every project we touch reaches the highest standard of visual storytelling.

Why Join ICON?

When you join ICON, you are becoming part of a community that values both your professional trajectory and your creative voice:

• Global Impact: Collaborate on top-tier CG franchises for major streaming platforms.
• Diverse Community: Work alongside a global team of talented artists in the heart of British Columbia.
• Technical Edge: Access the latest tools, software, and technology to fuel your creative process.
• Quality First: We are a studio known for premium quality and timely delivery, putting every resource into what is on-screen.
• Culture of Growth: Enjoy a supportive workplace that encourages autonomy, continuous learning, mentorship, and clear career progression.

Job Overview : Animator 

Development Animator – Job Overview

We’re seeking a Development Animator to help define the visual narrative of our animated TV shows. In this creative + technical role, you’ll contribute to tools, assets, and animation cycles that ensure consistency and elevate storytelling. Working across departments, you’ll animate characters, refine rigs, and collaborate on solutions that push our productions to the next level.

Responsibilities

🎨 Animate memorable characters while keeping with the show’s style
🤝 Collaborate with Animation Supervisors and cross-department teams
💡 Contribute creative + technical ideas in brainstorming sessions
🔧 Build pickers, cycles, poses, phonemes, and expressions
📝 Review, test, and provide feedback on assets, rigs, and tools
🎥 Use live-action reference and apply strong animation fundamentals
🚀 Support scripting, tool development, and inter-department workflows

Qualifications

✅ 2+ years’ professional experience in 3D animation (Maya, film/series)
✅ Strong background as a Mid or Senior Animator
✅ Ability to animate in diverse styles: cartoony, realism, action, acting
✅ Quadruped animation experience preferred
✅ Strong grasp of production pipelines and custom tool workflows
✅ Excellent communication, time management, and collaboration skills
✅ Games or animation cycle experience is an asset

How to Apply

Are you ready to help shape the future of our upcoming series? ICON Creative Studio is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

To be considered for this position, please submit the following to our careers portal:

1. Updated Resume: Highlighting your professional production experience.

2. Portfolio/Demo Reel: Showcasing your animation range (specifically character performance, cycles, and any technical tool-building/rigging interaction).

ICON Creative Studio is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.