As a 3D Lead Animator for the upcoming series Messi and the Giants, you will step into a pivotal leadership role that connects artistic vision, technical production, and team management within a fast-paced environment. Operating in close partnership with the Animation Supervisor, your primary mission is to guide, inspire, and support an on-site team of 3D animators at our studio in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Jobs in spain.
You will be responsible for ensuring that the director’s creative goals are flawlessly executed, transforming storyboards and animatics into believable, high-energy character performances and complex action sequences. Beyond your artistic contributions, you will serve as a vital mentor to junior and mid-level talent, manage daily task delegations, troubleshoot pipeline challenges, and maintain clear lines of communication with production management to ensure all deliverables consistently meet the show’s high visual standards and strict deadline quotas. Jobs in spain
Job Summery : 3D Lead Animator
| Employment Parameter | Requirement Details |
| Company Name | ATLANTIS ANIMATION |
| Location | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (Canary Islands) |
| Contract Type | Full-Time, Fixed-Term (Temporary Contract – 4 Months) |
| Timeline | Starting as soon as possible through October/November 2026 |
| Work Arrangement | Strict On-Site Presence Required (No remote/hybrid options available) |
| Required Credentials | EU Citizenship or valid Spanish Residency / Work Permit |
Company Overview: Who We Are
Welcome to ATLANTIS ANIMATION, a premium, cutting-edge animation studio nestled in the beautiful, sun-drenched paradise of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. At Atlantis, we believe that the ultimate creative recipe combines world-class artistic talent with state-of-the-art technological pipelines. This unique fusion allows us to stand out in the global market, establishing our reputation as a premier boutique studio capable of producing high-concept, top-tier animated series and feature films. Jobs in spain
Over the years, our exceptional team has breathed life into widely acclaimed global phenomena. Our portfolio proudly includes the sensational, action-packed series Tara Duncan and the globally adored Miraculous Ladybug (Season 5)—both of which have captivated millions of viewers worldwide on the Disney Channel and Disney+. We pride ourselves on cultivating an inspiring, inclusive, and highly collaborative environment where imagination knows no bounds, and every artist is empowered to leave their unique mark on the screen. Jobs in spain
The Project: ‘Messi and the Giants’
Atlantis Animation is embarking on a monumental new creative journey, and we want you to be a cornerstone of it. We are entering full production on an absolutely captivating, high-profile international 3D animated series: ‘Messi and the Giants’.
Co-produced alongside industry titans Sony Music Vision, Sony Pictures Television Kids, and Leo Messi Management, and slated for broadcast across Disney platforms, this epic saga represents a massive milestone in contemporary children’s entertainment.
The Narrative Arc
The series follows a young, determined boy named Leo who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from his familiar home in Argentina into a breathtaking, perilous, and fantastical alternate universe. Throughout this grand adventure, Leo must navigate uncharted territories, confront massive mythical entities, discover his own latent strength, and find a way back home. The project masterfully blends highly imaginative world-building, intense emotional storytelling, complex character development, and cinematic, high-energy action sequences.
If you are an experienced animation professional who thrives on complex creative challenges, lives for unexpected storytelling adventures, and possesses that rare, magical spark of inner artistic vision, this is the definitive project you have been waiting for.
Job Summary & Core Mission
We are actively seeking a highly skilled, fiercely passionate, and structurally minded 3D Lead Animator to step into a pivotal leadership role within our rapidly expanding team. As the Lead Animator for Messi and the Giants, you will operate as a vital bridge connecting artistic direction, technical execution, and personnel management. Spain jobs.
Working in tight, harmonious lockstep with our Animation Supervisor, your core mission will be to guide, inspire, and support our internal team of 3D animators. You will ensure that the director’s creative vision is accurately interpreted and flawlessly executed on screen, while steadfastly maintaining the high technical and artistic benchmarks set for this premium global IP.
This is not a passive management role. It demands a seasoned artist who can lead by example, mentoring junior and mid-level talent, troubleshooting complex pipeline challenges, and systematically breaking down sequences to ensure emotional beats, physical weight, and high-octane action choreography feel utterly believable and stylistically cohesive.
Comprehensive Roles & Responsibilities
Your daily operations at Atlantis Animation will encompass a diverse blend of leadership, technical supervision, project management, and creative artistry. Your core responsibilities include:
Team Leadership, Mentorship & Cultivating Talent
- Direct Supervision: Lead, support, and actively inspire an on-site team of 3D animators, nurturing a positive, high-energy team culture rooted in mutual respect and creative excellence.
- Skill Development: Coach, share technical workflows, and take active, hands-on responsibility for the professional progression and artistic growth of mid-level and junior team members.
- Constructive Feedback: Deliver consistent, clear, and actionable feedback during internal reviews, helping artists elevate their animation quality to meet the show’s signature style.
- Conflict Resolution: Actively monitor team dynamics, identifying potential friction points, workflow bottlenecks, or creative disagreements early, and resolving them with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.
Production Pipeline & Workflow Management
- Task Delegation: Strategically set and manage daily/weekly team assignments in close collaboration with the Animation Supervisor, matching specific shots or character arcs to individual animator strengths.
- Scheduling Alignment: Maintain a deep awareness of production schedules, milestone deadlines, and delivery targets, ensuring the team consistently meets its agreed weekly footage quota without sacrificing visual fidelity.
- Process Documentation: Master, enforce, and iterate upon internal workflow templates, methodologies, and pipeline documentation; distribute these technical resources clearly to the team.
- Knowledge Base Management: Collaborate closely with the Technical Animation department to ensure that internal show wikis, tool documentation, and rigging guidelines remain meticulously up to date.
Creative Execution & Inter-Departmental Communication
- Creative Liaison: Serve as a primary point of contact between the frontline animation team, the Production Management staff, and the Animation Supervisor, streamlining communications and adapting swiftly to evolving schedules or script revisions.
- Dailies Representation: Attend daily production reviews, confidently presenting your team’s work-in-progress, and guiding individual artists on how to effectively pitch, explain, and present their shots to stakeholders.
- Story Interpretation: Read, analyze, and expertly translate complex storyboards, animatics, layout constraints, and director notes into fully realized 3D character performances that preserve the core emotional and comedic beats of the narrative.
Professional Requirements & Qualifications
To be successful in this high-intensity, high-reward role, candidates must demonstrate an exceptional blend of leadership capability, artistic mastery, and technical fluency.
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Proven Leadership: A demonstrated track record of previously mentoring, leading, or supervising a team of animators within a professional studio environment.
- Communication Mastery: Exceptional interpersonal skills with a strong command of both spoken and written English; the ability to articulate abstract creative ideas and precise technical feedback clearly.
- Problem-Solving Attitude: A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the capability to remain calm, structured, and resourceful under tight production deadlines.
Technical & Artistic Expertise
- Software Proficiency: Advanced, expert-level command of Autodesk Maya is non-negotiable.
- Industry Experience: Extensive professional experience working on high-end, full-3D character animation TV series or feature films.
- Anatomy of Animation: A profound, instinctual understanding of the core principles of animation (including impeccable timing, spacing, weight, anticipation, squash and stretch, staging, and appeal).
- Pipeline Literacy: A robust understanding of character rigs, complex rigging setups, asset pipelines, and the technical mechanics of transferring animation data seamlessly between varied pipeline tools, custom scripts, and setups.
Logistics & Compliance
- Geographic Availability: Must be fully available to relocate immediately to Tenerife for the duration of the contract.
- Legal Eligibility: Must possess EU Citizenship or a valid, pre-existing Spanish Residency/Work Permit. (Please note: The studio cannot sponsor international visas for this short-term temporary contract).
When exploring premium animation spain jobs, ATLANTIS ANIMATION stands out as a leading studio hub located in the tax-incentivized creative haven of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The studio’s current slate of spain jobs offers visual artists the highly coveted opportunity to work on major international intellectual properties—like the newly announced Disney series Messi and the Giants—while enjoying an exceptional Mediterranean lifestyle.
From the core 3D Lead Animator contract to active team openings for Mid/Senior Compositors, Lighting Artists, and Pipeline Developers, these specialized spain jobs provide top-tier industry professionals with a definitive launchpad to elevate their portfolios with prestigious Sony and Disney credits.
What We Offer: The Perks of Joining Atlantis
By joining the Atlantis Animation family, you are stepping into an environment designed to help you do the best work of your career while enjoying an unmatched quality of life.
| Category | What You Can Expect |
| High-Profile Portfolio | A rare opportunity to attach your name to a globally anticipated Disney series co-produced by Sony and Leo Messi Management. |
| Unrivaled Location | Work in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, experiencing the perfect balance of a booming tech/creative hub and a laid-back, beautiful island lifestyle. |
| Inspiring Culture | Immerse yourself in a diverse, collaborative, and warm international environment filled with passionate storytellers. |
| Professional Growth | Expand your leadership toolkit, master advanced proprietary 3D pipelines, and forge connections with top-tier international talent. |
How to Apply
If you are eager to bring dynamic characters to life, lead a talented cohort of artists, and embark on a thrilling creative odyssey in the Canary Islands, we want to see your work!
Please submit your updated resume, a cover letter outlining your leadership experience, and your latest showreel/portfolio showcasing your best character performance and action animation work. Please ensure your reel includes a corresponding breakdown sheet detailing your exact contributions to each shot.
Join us at Atlantis Animation, and let’s create something legendary together!
For professionals tracking creative industry jobs in Spain, ATLANTIS ANIMATION is offering major on-site opportunities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to work on Disney’s highly anticipated series, Messi and the Giants. The studio is actively expanding its production pipeline, presenting a key opening for a full-time 3D Lead Animator alongside other critical roles like Mid/Senior Compositors, Lighting Artists, and Senior Pipeline Developers.
These targeted jobs in Spain provide international talent with the rare chance to combine high-profile portfolio development under major networks like Sony and Disney with the exceptional quality of life found in the Canary Islands.
