Senior Layout Artist - SFD / Cinematics

Team Name:

Cinematics

Job Title:

Senior Layout Artist - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

Requisition ID:

R028303

Job Description:

Blizzard Entertainment is currently seeking an experienced 3D generalist to join our cinematics layout department as a Senior Layout Artist. The layout department is the “hub” of cinematics, facilitating the flow of assets from modeling, surfacing, and rigging, as well as assembling and helping to compose shots from previz; working through animation, simulation and FX, all the way to lighting & compositing. The Layout Artist will work with previz, modeling, and rigging to translate rough scenes into production-ready shots; support animation and camera with environments, continuity, and troubleshooting; and coordinate with modeling, animation and FX with the creation of sets and shot-by-shot set dressing. Broad technical and artistic understanding of 3D pipelines, shot composition, and film language are all important.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.

This is going to roughly be a 4-month temporary position with a mid-January 2027 start date.

Responsibilities

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Using Maya, translate and help compose previz into shot assemblies, and deliver scenes ready for animation
• Create, add, or adjust set dressing, static character poses, and crowd cycles in service of the final shot composition
• Support animation and other departments at various stages, managing shot configurations, and preview rendering for quality review
• Organize assets, fill in any additional gaps, and catch and solve technical and artistic problems that are not handled by other departments or through typical pipeline procedures
• Work closely with programmers, artists, supervisors, directors, and production staff on multiple projects and pipelines concurrently, to develop, fix, or improve tools and processes, and facilitate productive communication and efficient workflows

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• A minimum of 8+ years of production or feature film experience in a layout or 3D generalist role
• Skill and experience in building and dressing sets and environments and composing shots for production

Knowledge & Skills

• Depth of knowledge in 3D pipelines, both technically and artistically
• Solid understanding of the principles of storytelling, film, and composition
• Skills in modeling, rigging, animation, and cameras
• Some knowledge of surfacing, lighting, rendering, and compositing
• Familiarity with scripting, especially within a 3D environment

Key Attributes

• Strong, dedicated communicator and problem-solver able to learn and work independently and creatively with diverse personalities under resource and time-limited conditions

Extra Points

• Extensive experience with Maya or Houdini
• Knowledge and experience with Unreal or other game engines
• Experience with RenderMan and/or Redshift renderers
• Proficiency in python scripting
• Familiarity with USD
• Expert organization and communication skills, both written and oral
• A thirst for learning and a knack for efficiency
• A passion for Blizzard games, stories, characters and worlds

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Online Demo Reel

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [email protected]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $39.54 - $73.16 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.