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Junior Compositor at Industrial Light & Magic

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Welcome to the forefront of cinematic history. At Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), we don’t just make movies; we define the visual language of the future. Founded by George Lucas in 1975, ILM has been the engine behind the most iconic moments in film, from the twin suns of Tatooine to the groundbreaking digital artistry of the modern era. We are looking for a Junior Compositor to join our San Francisco team—someone with a sharp eye, a collaborative spirit, and a relentless passion for the “invisible art” of visual effects. Job Overview: Junior Compositor Feature Details Company Industrial Light & Magic (A Lucasfilm / Disney Company) Position Title Junior Compositor Location San Francisco, California, United States Job Type Full-Time Hiring Range $67,900 – $86,900 per year Experience Level Junior / Entry-Level Primary Toolset Foundry Nuke Benefits Medical, Financial, 401(k), Bonus & Long-term Incentives (based on level) Position Summary As a Junior Compositor at ILM, you are the final architect of the frame. Your mission is to seamlessly blend live-action footage with computer-generated (CG) elements to create a singular, photorealistic image. You will work under the guidance of world-class Compositing Supervisors and Lead Artists to ensure that every shot meets the aesthetic integrity and technical excellence our clients expect. What You’ll Do Seamless Integration: Combine 2D and 3D elements, performing tasks such as tracking, matte extraction (keying), layering, and color grading. Creative Evaluation: Collaborate with VFX Supervisors to determine the best technical and creative approach for simple to moderately complex shots. Maintain Continuity: Ensure color balance and visual quality are consistent across entire sequences to maintain a uniform cinematic look. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Partner with lighting, FX, and layout artists to troubleshoot assets and optimize the compositing pipeline. What We’re Looking For Artistic Foundation: A strong background in fine arts, photography, or cinematography. You must have an innate understanding of how light, shadow, and color behave in the real world. Technical Proficiency: Professional experience with Nuke is required. Familiarity with Unix/Linux environments and the ability to write Nuke gizmos or Python plugins is a major plus. Aesthetic Judgment: A portfolio or “reel” that demonstrates a sophisticated sense of composition, design, and an uncompromising eye for photorealism. The ILM Mindset: A proactive team player who thrives in the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a global VFX powerhouse. The 2026 VFX Landscape & Diversity In 2026, the VFX industry is more dynamic than ever. We are moving beyond traditional rendering into the realms of Real-Time StageCraft, AI-assisted cleanup, and Immersive Cinema. ILM remains committed to leading this charge while fostering a workplace that reflects the global audience we serve. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at a Glance: At ILM and The Walt Disney Company, we believe that diverse teams drive the innovation required to tell world-class stories. Innovation Impact: Research shows that racially diverse teams make decisions 60% faster than non-diverse teams, and gender-diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their peers. Workforce Trends: As of 2026, approximately 72% of employees in the creative tech sector report that workplace diversity is a primary driver of their job satisfaction and creativity. Our Commitment: We actively champion an environment where candidates of all backgrounds—regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability—have the tools to thrive. In the U.S. tech and media landscape, while progress is ongoing, we are dedicated to closing the gap where currently only about 28% of the tech workforce is comprised of women. About Industrial Light & Magic ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, having contributed to over 325 feature films. Our work is seen in 25 of the top 50 worldwide box-office hits of all time. We are currently at the forefront of the digital revolution, breaking new ground in Virtual Production (StageCraft), AR/VR, and Immersive Storytelling. Joining ILM means becoming part of a legacy that has earned 15 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and countless other honors. About The Walt Disney Company Disney is a leading diversified international entertainment enterprise. From our humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to the global powerhouse of today, we continue to create world-class stories. This position is with Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC, part of the Industrial Light & Magic business unit. Lucasfilm is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate the unique voices that help us grow, innovate, and create the best stories in the galaxy.

Lead Gameplay Animator at Striking Distance Studios

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Striking Distance Studios, a premier AAA development house located in the San Ramon Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area, is seeking a visionary Lead Gameplay Animator specializing in Player Feel. This is a pivotal leadership role for an unannounced, cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) project. At Striking Distance, we believe excellence is an attitude, and we are looking for a hands-on leader who is obsessed with the intersection of animation, responsiveness, and moment-to-moment gameplay satisfaction. Job Overview: Lead Gameplay Animator Category Details Company Name Striking Distance Studios (KRAFTON Americas) Position Lead Gameplay Animator (Player Feel) Experience Level Lead (7+ Years) Location San Ramon, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) Job Type Full-time Project Status New, Unannounced AAA Title Salary Range $120,000 – $166,000 USD (California Grade) Engine Platform Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) About Striking Distance Studios Striking Distance Studios is driven by a relentless pursuit of creative excellence. Situated at the intersection of art, design, and technology, our team is composed of industry veterans dedicated to crafting immersive AAA experiences. As a studio under the KRAFTON umbrella, we provide a world-class environment where amazing people are given the opportunity to do work they are truly proud of. We value diversity, authenticity, and the drive to learn with every new challenge. Role Overview & Mission as Gameplay Animator The Lead Gameplay Animator is the primary architect of how a player “feels” the game. This isn’t just about making animations look pretty; it’s about making them feel right. You will define and drive the responsiveness, weight, and satisfaction of our playable characters. In this Gameplay Animator role, you will lead a specialized strike team—including a gameplay animator and a technical animator—to ensure that movement, combat, and interactions are world-class. You will be a bridge-builder, working at the heart of a multidisciplinary group of designers, engineers, audio artists, and VFX specialists to translate abstract gameplay mechanics into tangible, readable, and thrilling character behaviors. Core Responsibilities & Ownership 1. Defining “Player Feel” Movement & Traversal: You will own the core locomotion systems, ensuring that running, jumping, and climbing feel fluid and grounded. Combat Excellence: You will drive the impact and timing of both ranged and melee combat, focusing on hit-stop, weight, and follow-through. Interaction Systems: Ensure that every button press results in a satisfying and readable in-game action, from opening doors to complex environmental interactions. 2. Technical Leadership & Implementation UE5 Systems: Hands-on implementation of animation state machines, blending, and gameplay-driven animation events within Unreal Engine 5. Systems Integration: Collaborate with engineers to tune animation systems for networked gameplay and varying camera behaviors. Feedback Loops: Coordinate with the Audio and VFX teams to ensure that visual and auditory feedback perfectly syncs with animation beats to maximize player impact. 3. Team Guidance & Quality Control Mentorship: Provide high-level feedback and guidance to your team of gameplay and technical animators, elevating the overall quality of the studio’s output. Iteration: Lead the “playtest and tune” cycle. You will be expected to play the game constantly, identifying areas where responsiveness can be sharpened and “jank” can be eliminated. Direct Contribution: Remain a strong individual contributor, setting the visual and technical benchmark through your own high-fidelity animation work. Qualifications: What You Bring to the Team Professional Background Industry Experience: A minimum of 7 years of professional gameplay animation experience, with at least one shipped PC or console title in a Senior or Lead capacity. AAA Pedigree: Proven experience working on high-budget, action-oriented character gameplay. Unreal Expertise: Professional-grade experience in Unreal Engine is required; specific experience with UE5’s latest animation toolsets (Control Rig, Motion Warping, etc.) is highly preferred. Technical & Artistic Skills Mastery of Mechanics: A deep understanding of body mechanics, weight, and the principles of animation as they apply specifically to interactive gameplay. Readability: The ability to create animations that communicate intent clearly to the player, even in the middle of chaotic combat. Collaboration: A “design-first” mindset—the ability to work with gameplay designers to find the balance between a beautiful animation and a responsive control scheme. Submission Requirements The Reel: A strong portfolio or demo reel is mandatory. Your reel should showcase gameplay animations in-context (showing the character being controlled in the engine) rather than just linear cinematics. We want to see how your animation handles transitions, stops, and combat interrupts. Why Join Striking Distance Studios? Working with us means joining a community that values your unique perspective. We offer: Creative Empowerment: The setting and tools to do the best work of your career on a brand-new IP. Inclusive Culture: We are dedicated to building an authentic workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Competitive Benefits: A robust salary package based on experience, education, and skills, alongside the perks of working in the scenic San Ramon Hills. How to Apply & Security Note To apply, please submit your CV and a link to your demo reel. Security Warning: Due to recent recruitment scams, please note that our official recruiters will only contact you via addresses ending in: @sds.com @krafton.com @unknownworlds.com @pubg.com If you receive a suspicious message, please verify it by contacting recruiting_ka@krafton.com.

Twitch is hiring UX Designer, San Francisco

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Twitch, the world’s preeminent live-streaming platform, is seeking a high-caliber UX Designer to join our Monetization Team at our global headquarters in San Francisco, CA. This is not just a design role; it is an opportunity to architect the economic future of the creator economy. At Twitch, monetization is more than a transaction—it is a social interaction. From “Bits” and “Sub-Gifting” to innovative ad experiences, your work will directly impact how millions of creators earn a living while ensuring the experience remains rewarding and organic for viewers. This role requires a sophisticated blend of systems thinking, psychological empathy, and high-fidelity visual craft. Job Overview Company Name: Twitch (an Amazon subsidiary) Position: UX Designer, Monetization Job Type: Full-Time Primary Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Headquarters) Experience Level: Mid-Senior (3+ Years) Design Tools: Figma (Expert Proficiency Required) Reporting To: Director of Design Compensation & Comprehensive Benefits Twitch provides a highly competitive total compensation package that reflects the high cost of living and the elite talent pool in the San Francisco Bay Area. Annual Base Salary Range (San Francisco) $135,500 — $184,000 USD Total Compensation Package Your financial package extends beyond the base salary. As part of the Amazon ecosystem, your “Total Comp” (TC) will include: Sign-on Bonuses: Cash payments typically distributed over the first two years of employment. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): Amazon equity that vests over a four-year period, allowing you to share in the long-term success of the parent company. 401(k) Plan: Includes company matching to help secure your financial future. Premium Perks Healthcare: Top-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, including Disability coverage. Life Support: Maternity and Parental Leave, plus Adoption and Surrogacy reimbursement. Work-Life Harmony: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy and mental health support via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Exclusive Discounts: Significant Amazon employee discounts and access to a Medical Advice Line. About the Team: Monetization UX The Monetization UX Team is the engine of sustainable growth. Our mission is to build and evolve systems that enable creators to thrive. We believe that revenue opportunities should feel like a natural extension of the community, not an intrusion. As a designer on this team, you will: Lead at Scale: Own design work at the project level, from initial whiteboarding to pixel-perfect launch. Collaborate Across Verticals: Partner with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists to find the “sweet spot” between business goals and user trust. Influence Leadership: Present your design logic and research findings to executive stakeholders, acting as the primary advocate for the user experience. Mentor: Guide junior designers, fostering a culture of excellence and inclusive design. Key Responsibilities In this role, you will be deeply embedded in the full product lifecycle. Discovery & Strategy User Advocacy: Learn directly from streamers and viewers to understand their motivations, pain points, and desires regarding digital spending. Hypothesis Development: Combine qualitative research with quantitative data (metrics like conversion, churn, and engagement) to develop design hypotheses. Creative Problem Solving: Think beyond the “buy button.” You will solve complex problems that sustain a streamer’s long-term financial journey. Design Execution High-Fidelity Craft: Utilize Figma to create interactive prototypes and production-ready assets for mobile and desktop environments. System Thinking: Contribute to and improve the Twitch Design System, ensuring that monetization patterns remain consistent across the platform. Rapid Iteration: Participate in design reviews and feedback sessions, elegantly solving problems through multiple rounds of refinement. Candidate Profile: Qualifications We are looking for a designer who possesses a “product-first” mindset and an aesthetic eye. Minimum Requirements Professional Experience: 3+ years of practical UX design experience, specifically focused on content discovery or content engagement. E-Commerce Expertise: A proven track record in monetization, digital commerce, or high-transaction user flows. Technical Mastery: Expert-level skills in Figma and mobile prototyping. Analytical Empathy: The ability to make confident design decisions based on a deep empathy for the people using your products. Collaborative Spirit: Demonstrated success in working alongside researchers, PMs, and engineering teams. Bonus Qualifications (The “Extra Mile”) Consumer Software: Experience designing for large-scale consumer apps (millions of users). AI Innovation: Experience with AI tooling or designing AI-driven features. Research Skills: Ability to execute your own research plans and talk to real customers. Academic Background: Formal education in Design, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), or Interaction Design. Why San Francisco? Working from Twitch Headquarters in San Francisco puts you at the epicenter of the tech world. You will be working in a creative hub where the culture of “streaming” was born. Our SF office is designed to foster collaboration, featuring spaces that reflect the vibrant, diverse communities we serve. Legal Disclosure: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Twitch will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Application Strategy To succeed in the interview process, we recommend focusing your portfolio on impact. Don’t just show beautiful screens; show the data that drove your design decisions and the business results your monetization features achieved. Highlight your ability to manage the delicate balance between “making money” and “keeping users happy.”

Principal Gameplay Animator Jobs, Modma Studios | San Francisco

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Principal Gameplay Animator Jobs Overview Company: Modma Studios Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent Location: Remote (Global) or Hybrid (San Francisco, CA) Experience Required: 7–10+ Years (Senior to Lead level) Compensation: $135,000 – $185,000 USD (Base + Equity & Performance Bonuses) Core Software: Maya, Unreal Engine 5, Unity, MotionBuilder Work Split: 70% Gameplay Systems | 30% Narrative Cinematics A Principal Gameplay Animator is a high-level individual contributor and strategic leader responsible for the “kinesthetic feel” of a game. Unlike standard animation roles, this position requires a deep fusion of artistic mastery and technical engine architecture. Modma Studios are seeking a visionary Principal Gameplay Animator to serve as the creative backbone of our animation department. In this role, you won’t just move characters; you will define the “feel” of the game. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between artistic expression and technical implementation, ensuring that every frame of motion serves the player’s experience and the game’s narrative soul. Role Overview The Principal Gameplay Animator jobs is a high-level individual contributor who owns the animation pipeline from initial R&D to final shipping polish. You will work at the intersection of art, design, and engineering, crafting responsive systems for locomotion, high-impact combat, and immersive cinematics. Whether the project demands gritty realism or expressive stylization, your mastery of weight, timing, and appeal will set the standard for the entire studio. Why Join Us? Artistic Autonomy: Modma Studios trust our Principals. You will have a significant say in the visual direction and mechanical feel of our upcoming IPs. Comprehensive Benefits: Including premium health insurance, 401(k) matching, and a generous “Stay Creative” stipend for personal projects or hardware. Modern Culture: We prioritize a crunch-free environment with flexible hours and a focus on sustainable high-performance. Key Responsibilities for Principal Gameplay Animator Jobs Animation Vision & Quality: Own the end-to-end animation style, ensuring that character motion (locomotion, combat, and interaction) is “frame-perfect,” responsive, and grounded. System Architecture: Design and maintain complex Animation State Machines, Blend Trees, and Control Rig setups within UE5 or Unity to handle seamless transitions. Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Partner with Lead Designers and Gameplay Engineers to prototype mechanics, ensuring animation supports gameplay “feel” and player agency. Pipeline Optimization: Establish best practices for animation workflows, including the integration of Motion Capture (Mocap) and hand-keyed data. Prototyping & R&D: Conduct rapid prototyping for new gameplay features, using animation to define the “weight” and “impact” of combat systems. Mentorship: Act as a technical and artistic North Star for the animation team, providing high-level feedback without necessarily managing people directly. Required Skills & Qualifications Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder. Engine Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 (Sequencer, Blueprints, Live Link) or Unity (Mecanim). Mechanical Expertise: Mastery of human and creature anatomy, weight distribution, and timing—moving comfortably between realism and stylization. Shipped Titles: Proven track record with at least 2–3 shipped AA/AAA titles in a senior or principal capacity. Advanced Tech Knowledge: Experience with procedural animation, physics-based secondary motion, and facial animation pipelines. What We Offer: Culture & Benefits We understand that a Principal-level talent is looking for more than just a paycheck. Principal Gameplay Animator Jobs at Nexus Prime Studios come with a commitment to your long-term well-being: Creative Autonomy: You are the owner of your domain. We value your expertise and give you the room to experiment with new technologies like AI-assisted motion or VR animation. Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family. The “Crunch-Free” Promise: We utilize agile milestones to ensure that production stays on track without sacrificing your weekends. Global Remote Culture: We have a “Work from Anywhere” policy, supported by home-office stipends and annual team retreats in San Francisco. Professional Development: A yearly budget of $2,500 for you to attend conferences like GDC, SIGGRAPH, or specialized animation workshops. Why Apply for Principal Gameplay Animator Jobs? Creative Autonomy: You aren’t just following a brief; you are helping define the physical language of a new IP. High-Stakes Impact: Your work directly dictates the “Responsiveness” of the game, which is often the #1 metric for player satisfaction. Modern Benefits: Most Principal roles now offer “Crunch-Free” commitments, unlimited PTO, and significant stock options in the studio.