3D Cinema 4D Expert / Drone Show Designer

SCALIS; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading drone entertainment company seeks a talented Drone Sky Show Designer to create captivating drone light shows. The role involves collaborating with creative teams to develop innovative 3D graphics and animations. Candidates should have over 3 years of experience with Maxon Cinema 4D and proficiency in digital art tools like Photoshop and After Effects. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to breathtaking live experiences globally.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Creative freedom

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in 3D asset creation using Maxon Cinema 4D.
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and other digital art production tools.
• Ability to craft low-poly assets.

Responsibilities

• Ideate and conceptualize innovative 3D graphics and animations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate concept sketches and designs.
• Work on the creation of drone shows from concept to execution.

Skills

3D asset creation

Maxon Cinema 4D

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

After Effects

Job description

Hey — Let's find your next opportunity 🚀

Nova Sky Stories

About Nova Sky Stories

At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting‑edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events.

📱 Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About the job

As part of Nova Sky Stories we work together with other Nova designers and colleagues around the world. Sharing creativity, technical knowledge and the passion for storytelling.

Drone Sky Show Designer

We are seeking a talented and imaginative Drone Sky Show Designer to contribute their expertise in designing and orchestrating captivating drone light shows. As an integral member of our team, you'll collaborate with skilled professionals to bring imaginative concepts to life through drone displays that astonish and inspire audiences. Your creative flair, combined with your experience in 3D design, will shape unforgettable experiences for our audiences.

As a Drone Sky Show Designer, you will be responsible for:

• Ideate and conceptualize innovative 3D graphics, animations, and visual narratives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate concept sketches, designs, and prototypes
• Develop expressive 3D animations that convey a wide range of emotions
• Work on the creation of drone shows, from the initial concept to designing and animating show elements and scenes
• Demonstrate ownership of your work and actively contribute creative ideas to enhance our offerings and processes
• Collaborate with our creative team to expand animation capacity by recruiting and managing external resources

You’ll need to have:

• 3+ years of experience in 3D asset creation using Maxon Cinema 4D
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and other digital art production tools
• Ability to craft low‑poly assets and experience working with MoGraph tools

How to be successful in this role:

• Enthusiastic about the creative potential of drone technology
• Effective communication skills to articulate ideas and collaborate within teams
• Strong interpersonal skills with a team‑oriented approach
• Capacity to manage priorities, multitask, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Having an efficient and structured workflow
• Strong drive to experiment and innovate
• Quick learner with agility in adapting design approaches
• A results‑oriented, “can‑do” attitude with a focus on creative solutions
• Ability to provide and receive constructive, creative feedback across teams
• Willingness to collaborate closely with team members, clients, and external partners

Preferred Skills

Cinema 4D

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.

Creative Software Developer

The Nova Sky Stories Utrecht team is a passionate group of people with a hands‑on approach collaborating closely to keep improving and bring awe to live audiences. We are seeking an experienced Creative Software Developer with serious C++ and 3D visualization skills to help us build innovative tools that push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual entertainment.

As a Creative Software Developer you will be responsible for:

• Developing, optimizing, and maintaining our cutting‑edge drone light show desktop applications, using C++, JUCE, QT and OpenGL.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team (designers, drone operators, and engineers) to create smooth and reliable software solutions that make our light shows come to life.
• Work on real‑time data processing, control interfaces, and cool features that enhance the experience of both operators and spectators alike.

You’ll need to have:

• Expertise in building complex desktop applications using C++ with a strong focus on efficiency, robustness and intuitive controls.
• Strong understanding of UI/UX design principles for creating software that is not only powerful but also easy to use.
• Experience with multithreading, real‑time systems, and performance optimization for high‑demands applications.
• Bonus if you have experience with 3D modeling software, motion‑graphics tools, hardware interfacing, or other technologies that require precise synchronization of complex systems.
• Proactive, problem‑solving attitude with a passion for working on groundbreaking tech that blends software development with creative expression.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Be part of something innovative: Work on projects that combine cutting‑edge technology and creativity to deliver one‑of‑a‑kind visual experiences.
• Creative freedom: Have the autonomy to take on challenges, propose solutions, and see your ideas implemented in real‑world applications.
• Direct impact: Your work will have a real and visible influence on the execution of massive, high‑profile visual events across the globe.
• Supportive environment: Join a fun, forward‑thinking team based in Utrecht. Collaborative, passionate, and always pushing boundaries together to create something magical.
• Exciting perks: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and front‑row access to the incredible visual experiences you help bring to life.
• Excited to take on this challenge?

If you’re ready to apply your C++ skills to a role where software meets creativity and technology, we’d love to hear from you!

Mechanical Engineer

We are a fast‑moving, highly effective team with a start‑up spirit, building cutting‑edge technology where engineering meets art and creative experiences. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer who loves solving complex problems, working hands‑on, and pushing technology forward with passion. At Nova Sky Stories, ownership matters more than hierarchy. You’ll take full responsibility for your work, operate independently, and be trusted to deliver. We’re looking for a driven, hands‑on Mechanical Engineer who’s excited to build something extraordinary.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Design, develop, and optimize mechanical parts and assemblies with a strong focus on injection molding and scalable production.
• Work closely with injection molding, CNC machining, and rapid prototyping suppliers, from concept through production.
• Apply design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑assembly (DFA) principles to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost‑effective designs.
• Integrate safety and reliability considerations into all mechanical designs from the earliest stages.
• Develop, evaluate, and select electrical and mechanical connector and contact solutions for robust system integration.
• Optimize designs for lightweight structures, balancing strength, durability, cost, and manufacturability.
• Contribute to the design and improvement of aerodynamic concepts, propulsion systems (propellers), battery systems, and lightweight thermal management solutions.
• Build, assemble, and test mechanical prototypes using CNC machining, 3D printing, and other rapid fabrication methods.
• Run simulations and analyze test data and log files to validate designs and drive continuous improvements.
• Collaborate with suppliers and contract manufacturers on material selection, component sourcing, and production readiness.
• Work closely with electronics and firmware engineers to deliver fully integrated mechanical–electrical systems.
• Support flight operations, including flight testing, system validation, maintenance, and manufacturing ramp‑up.

What will make you successful in this role:

• A creative, curious mindset with the ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Hands‑on experience designing for injection molding and rapid prototyping.
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and their real‑world trade‑offs.
• Solid grasp of design‑for‑safety and design‑for‑reliability principles.
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical connector solutions and system integration.
• Proven experience designing lightweight, robust, and reliable structures.
• Practical mechanical prototyping skills, including CNC machining, 3D printing, and similar methods.
• Experience sourcing components and collaborating with external suppliers and manufacturers.
• Experience running simulations and analyzing test data and log files to improve designs.
• A structured and transparent approach to problem‑solving, comfortable using tools such as JIRA, Slack, and similar collaboration platforms.
• Drone or UAV experience is a strong plus — you’ll test‑fly what you build.
• Self‑reliant, hands‑on, and motivated to take ownership and drive projects to completion.

Based in the Munich area and willing to work on‑site at our office in Gilching. Willingness to travel internationally is a plus — our shows fly on all continents.

What we offer:

• A fun, creative, and highly effective team with a strong start‑up spirit.
• Unique, exciting projects where mechanics, electronics, firmware, and software come together to create unforgettable storytelling and artistic experiences.
• Real ownership and responsibility, with trust and freedom instead of daily micro‑management.
• An environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and personal growth.
• Fast decision‑making, open communication, and a high level of collaboration and team spirit.