Job Overview

• Company: Princess Bento Studio Melbourne, a top-tier collaboration between Princess Pictures and Bento Box Entertainment.
• Role: Senior Rigged Animator focusing on high-end, inventive 2D character animation for global episodic series.
• Location: South Melbourne, Australia, featuring a vibrant studio culture with hybrid or on-site work options.
• Compensation: Estimated annual salary range of $95,000 – $130,000 AUD based on senior-level expertise.
• Employment Type: Contract position within a rapidly growing team of 400+ world-class animation professionals.
• Software: Expert proficiency in Toon Boom Harmony is mandatory, alongside Adobe Photoshop and Shotgrid.
• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years in professional 2D episodic or longform production is strictly required.
• Legal Requirement: All applicants must possess full Australian working rights and be currently based in Australia.
• Key Focus: Utilizing complex Harmony rigs to deliver fluid, expressive, and technically sound character performances.
• Leadership: Collaborating with Directors and Supervisors to ensure animation meets the show’s narrative and comedic vision.
• Efficiency: Strong organizational skills to meet tight episodic deadlines while maintaining high-quality visual standards.

Are you a master of the Toon Boom Harmony pipeline with a passion for high-end, longform episodic content? Princess Bento Studio is looking for elite Senior Rigged Animators to join our creative powerhouse in South Melbourne. As a collaboration between Australia’s iconic Princess Pictures and the multi-award-winning US studio Bento Box Entertainment (the creators behind Bob’s Burgers), we are at the forefront of producing fresh, inventive, and globally recognized 2D animation.

This is a premier Senior Animator job for artists who thrive in a fast-paced, high-quality episodic environment. If you possess a deep understanding of rigged puppet animation and have the leadership qualities to drive a narrative vision forward, Princess Bento is your next destination.

*Note: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, specific project length, and portfolio quality.

The Princess Bento Studio Melbourne Edge: Why Join Us?

Since our founding in 2020, Princess Bento has grown to over 400 co-workers, becoming a cornerstone of the Australian animation landscape. We combine the “scrappy,” inventive spirit of Australian storytelling with the high-octane production standards of a top-tier US studio.

When you accept a Senior Animator job at our studio, you aren’t just a cog in the machine—you are a crucial architect of character performance. We are currently scaling up for a slate of exciting new projects that demand a “fresh and funny” aesthetic for a global audience.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

As a Senior Harmony Animator, you will bridge the gap between technical rig utilization and soulful character acting. Your work ensures that our shows maintain a high-end visual standard while meeting the rigorous demands of episodic deadlines.

1. Concept and Narrative Integration

• Story Interpretation: Deeply analyze scripts and storyboards to translate abstract concepts into living, breathing character performances.

• Directorial Collaboration: Work in close quarters with department leads, supervisors, and directors to ensure every frame aligns with the show’s narrative arc and artistic vision.

• Visual Storytelling: Use your animation expertise to enhance the comedic timing and emotional resonance of the scenes assigned to you.

2. Character Animation Excellence

• Harmony Mastery: Utilize Toon Boom Harmony to animate characters based on provided rigs, designs, and layouts.

• Fluid Performance: Ensure all movements are fluid, expressive, and consistent with established character personalities and show guidelines.

• Detail-Oriented Visuals: Build out frame-by-frame visuals that are technically sound, optimized for rendering, and free from playback errors.

• Quality Control: Conduct rigorous self-reviews and address feedback from the Animation Supervisor with precision and speed.

3. Advanced Rig Utilisation & Troubleshooting

• Rig Integrity: Work with complex, pre-established rigs to maintain character consistency. You will be expected to push these rigs to their limits while ensuring the “puppet” doesn’t break.

• Technical Problem Solving: Identify and troubleshoot rigging issues as they arise, collaborating with Technical Directors and Rigging departments to implement permanent solutions.

• Pipeline Integration: Collaborate with various departments to ensure animations transition smoothly into the final compositing and rendering stages.

Who You Are: Qualifications & Skills

This Senior Animator job requires a veteran of the industry who understands the specific pressures and workflows of longform 2D series.

Professional Experience

• Tenure: Significant experience in a Senior role, specifically within 2D episodic series or longform animation.

• Technical Software: Proficient in Toon Boom Harmony (essential), Adobe Photoshop, and Shotgrid for production tracking.

• Portfolio: A world-class reel demonstrating an eye for detail, style consistency, and the ability to animate complex rigs with a “hand-drawn” feel.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate creative ideas both visually and verbally.

• Feedback Resilience: A professional approach to receiving and applying constructive criticism from directors and supervisors.

• Organizational Mastery: Strong time management skills; you must be able to hit milestones in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment.

• Reliability: We value artists who are punctual, honest, and well-presented members of the studio community.

Working at Princess Bento: Culture & Community

Based in the vibrant creative hub of South Melbourne, Princess Bento offers an environment that is as inventive as the shows we produce. Our team of 400+ creators thrives on collaboration. We believe that high-end animation is only possible when artists feel supported and inspired.

Important Note on Eligibility: Due to project requirements and government regulations, all applicants for this Senior Animator job must be based in Australia and possess full working rights. We are looking for local talent (or those already relocated) who can integrate seamlessly into our Melbourne-based operations.

Project Scope & Pipeline

Princess Bento is currently handling a “bunch of new projects” that span various comedic and action-based genres. As a Senior Animator, you will be instrumental in helping us shape the “fresh, funny, and inventive” style that has become our hallmark. You will be working on projects destined for global streaming platforms and major networks, ensuring your work has a worldwide impact.

How to Apply

To be considered for this elite Senior Animator job, please submit the following:

1. Updated Resume: Highlighting your 2D episodic experience and Australian work status.

2. Portfolio/Reel: Specifically showcasing your Toon Boom Harmony rigged animation. We want to see how you handle character acting, lip-sync, and weight within a rigged environment.

3. Cover Letter: Briefly explain your experience with longform series and why you want to join the Princess Bento family.