Walt Disney Animation Studios Character Technical Director Intern, Summer 2026

This is a paid summer 2026 internship for a Character Technical Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA. Interns will dive into the craft, technology, and operations of animated films, developing skills and connecting with industry mentors. The role involves Technical Animation, Simulation Setup, and Rigging, requiring both technical and artistic skills. Applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary program or recently graduated, available for an 11-week assignment from May-August 2026.

Must Have

• 18 years or older
• Enrolled in a post-secondary educational program or graduated within six months of internship program start date
• Fully available for an 11-week assignment (May-August 2026)
• Upload a resume
• Upload a single reel (max 2 min) demonstrating understanding or passion for Anatomy, Tailoring, Cloth in Motion, Hair in Motion, Simulation, and/or Rigging
• Include a reel breakdown if applicable
• Working knowledge of CG software such as Maya
• Deadline for applications is November 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

Good to Have

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and take direction well
• Interest in fashion design software such as Marvelous Designer
• Scripting in MEL, Python, or C++
• Tool development examples
• Knowledge of Linux
• Supplemental fine art portfolio of drawing or sculpture that demonstrates understanding of anatomy, design, cloth in motion and/or hair in motion

Perks & Benefits

• Paid internship
• Select benefits (medical, financial, and/or other benefits)

Job Summary:

2026 Character TD Summer Internship

The Internship Program

Have you wondered how your skills and talents could translate into the world of animation? Our Internship Program dives into the craft, technology, and operations behind our animated films while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your unique talents can grow within our studio. Learn more about our filmmaking process here.

Find yourself immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by our artists, technologists, and production leaders.

Am I Eligible?

• 18 years or older
• Must be enrolled in a post-secondary educational program (such as a community college, college, university, graduate school, trade school, or accredited online program), or have graduated within six months of our internship program start date
• Program Length: The approximate dates of this internship are May-August 2026. Interns must be fully available for the duration of a 11-week assignment.
• The Intern Program is based in our studios and will start in May 2026.

Job Summary

The role of a Character TD at Disney Animation includes Technical Animation (also known as Creature Dev, Character Finaling, or Character Effects), Simulation Setup, and Rigging. Each craft is highly collaborative and viewed as both a technical and an artistic role.

To apply for this position you must upload a resume and a single reel of no longer than 2 minutes that demonstrates your understanding or passion for Anatomy, Tailoring, Cloth in Motion, Hair in Motion, Simulation, and/or Rigging with a reel breakdown (if a breakdown is applicable). All examples should be in the context of performance and demonstrate your sense of appeal.

Examples of Character Simulation May Include:

• Cloth simulation rigs that demonstrate an understanding of tailoring, fitting and fabric properties under a broad range of motion
• Hair simulation rigs that demonstrate an understanding of groom structure and hair texture under a broad range of motion
• An artist friendly intuitive interface for working with simulation rigs
• An understanding of the principles of animation and how they apply to cloth and hair motion
• An understanding of creating appeal in cloth and hair performance
• Creative problem solving ability
• Examples of art-directed cloth and hair simulations
• Demonstration of real world tailoring and/or hair styling knowledge

Examples of Rigging May Include:

• Multiple rig examples that demonstrate appealing articulation through the motion and performance of a character or item, please do not just wiggle your controls or distort your rig without purpose
• An intuitive, animator-friendly interface for interacting with and posing characters or elements to be animated
• An understanding of anatomy and design principles, realistic and/or stylized
• An understanding of collaboration with animators in the development and use of a rig
• Creative problem solving ability in creation of a rig and addressing animators’ needs

Other skills may include:

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and take direction well
• Working knowledge of CG software such as Maya
• Interest in fashion design software such as Marvelous Designer is a plus
• Scripting in MEL, Python, or C++ is a plus
• Tool development examples
• Knowledge of Linux
• Supplemental fine art portfolio of drawing or sculpture that demonstrates understanding of anatomy, design, cloth in motion and/or hair in motion

Application Requirements

To apply, you must upload a resume including your school and expected graduation date and the below:

• Please submit a website, portfolio, or reel (max length 2 min) to demonstrate your interest and experience in the listed disciplines
• Include shot breakdown on your reel if applicable

Deadline for applications is on November 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The pay rate for this role in Burbank is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio's timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.