Uk Only | Junior 3D Character Animator

Bluezoo Animation Studio; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Remote work policy

Career development

Social events

Wellbeing & snacks

Job summary

Blue Zoo is seeking a junior animator based in the UK to help deliver characterful performances aligned with project style and narrative.

The role emphasizes learning, taking direction, and meeting production deadlines with flexible hybrid/remote options available to support work–life balance.

Qualifications

• Must have body mechanics and ability to bring a character to life.
• Solid understanding of Maya or similar 3D software.
• Receives feedback well and adapts to notes from directors.
• Effective time management to hit shot deadlines.
• Collaborates well with team members and leaders.
• Shows creative problem solving in animation challenges.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team of animators with regular communication to leads.
• Manage time to meet deadlines for assigned shots.
• Convey story and acting choices clearly from blocking to final animation.
• Respond positively to notes from Directors and Animation Director.

Skills

Body mechanics & performance

Maya or similar 3D software

Receiving feedback & direction

Time management

Team player & collaboration

Creative problem solving

Tools

Maya

Mel script (bonus)

Python (bonus)

Job description

About The Role

Our junior animators are able to deliver characterful animated performances that support the style and narrative of our projects. Their day-to-day focuses on comedic timing, charming acting choices, and production deadlines, whilst meeting the Director's vision and Client briefs. A junior animator at Blue Zoo is keen to learn, motivated, and is someone who can work productively, take direction and is open to receiving feedback.

The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and will require the right to work in the UK. We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day to Day:

• Working as part of a team of animators, and regularly communicating with your Team Lead and Animation Director.
• Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
• Making sure your work is communicating the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
• Responding positively to, and acting on notes and feedback from your Director and Animation Director.

About You

Must Have:

• Body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character
• A solid understanding of Maya or similar software
• Receiving feedback and responding to direction
• Time management and prioritising
• Sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members
• Being a team player and great collaborator
• Creative problem solving

Bonus Points:

• Python or Mel script knowledge
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance)
• Shotgun or FTrack

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives.

What we’ve got for you:

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
• Flexible and remote working policy
• Play a role in our Inclusive Blue Zoo Shorts Programme
• Many in-person and remote social events throughout the year
• Career development opportunities including training, mentoring and more.
• Quarterly employee feedback and engagement programme
• Benefits package including cycle to work scheme, gym memberships, shopping discounts and offers
• Great studio space in the heart of London
• Studio lunches plus breakfasts and healthy snacks
• Profit share (for UK employees who have been with us for 2+ years)