Walt Disney Animation Studios Character Technical Director Intern, Summer 2026

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.

Location: Burbank, CA 

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 Burbank, California 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.