3D Animation Editor job at Blizzard Entertainment, Irvine

Festybay; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 41,975 - 77,627; Full time

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment is seeking an experienced Animation Editor to join its Creative Development division. This role focuses on managing multiple high-profile animation projects, crafting narrative cuts for various media. The position requires significant post-production experience and expertise in Adobe Premiere Pro, as well as the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment.

The successful candidate will engage closely with creative teams to ensure the storytelling is visually compelling, with responsibilities covering all aspects of the animation editorial process.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional editorial experience with a focus on animation.
• Proven track record in post-production editorial roles.
• Expert-level fluency in Adobe Premiere Pro within studio environments.

Responsibilities

• Craft high-impact narrative cuts for animatics and trailers.
• Facilitate formal content reviews and align with project directors.
• Oversee multi-layer animation footage and manage version tracking.
• Generate technical outputs for Sound and Visual Effects departments.

Skills

Expert-level Adobe Premiere Pro

Narrative pacing and visual storytelling

Animation post-production experience

Cross-departmental collaboration

Cinematic composition

Operational autonomy

Tools

Adobe After Effects

Job description

Blizzard Entertainment is seeking a highly skilled Animation Editor to join the Creative Development division’s Animation Editorial team on a 4‑to‑5 month temporary basis. Operating as the central post‑production hub within the Story & Franchise Development branch, this team authors the world‑class reveal trailers, marketing assets, short films, and in‑game cinematic sequences that define and support Blizzard’s globally recognized intellectual properties.

This position requires a seasoned editorial professional with a sophisticated background in narrative pacing, visual storytelling, and animation post‑production pipelines. Operating out of the Irvine, CA studio under a flexible hybrid framework—with fully remote arrangements considered for unique circumstances—the successful candidate will manage multiple high‑profile projects simultaneously under tight live‑operations deadlines.

Job Overview: Animation Editor

Company Blizzard Entertainment (An Activision Blizzard / Microsoft Company)

Location Irvine, CA (Hybrid / Remote options available)

Employment Type Full‑time, Temporary Contract (Anticipated 4–5 month duration)

Department Creative Development — Animation Editorial (Story & Franchise Development)

Compensation $30.47 – $56.35 Hourly (Based on experience and location)

Core Software Adobe Premiere Pro (Expert‑level required)

Preferred Software Adobe After Effects (Compositing & 2D effects)

Required Experience 5+ years of professional editorial history, with a focus on animation

Core Workflow Storyboards, animatics, temp music/SFX, and final cinematic delivery

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Editorial Execution: Craft high‑impact narrative cuts for animatics, trailers, and short films from initial storyboards through to final look, integrating rough layouts, temporary music tracks, and provisional sound effects.
• Stakeholder & Director Alignment: Facilitate formal content reviews with project directors, creative leads, and game team stakeholders, translating specific creative notes into precise, iterative timeline modifications.
• Asset Ingestion & Management: Oversee the ingestion, version tracking, and organizational mapping of multi‑layer animation footage, audio library assets, and legacy archival media.
• Post‑Production Delivery Pipelines: Generate technical review outputs and standardized delivery manifests for downstream Sound and Visual Effects departments, partnering closely with assistant editors to guarantee flawless project handoffs.

Required Skills and Experience

• Industry Tenure: 5+ years of professional post‑production editorial experience, with a dedicated, demonstrable portfolio focused directly on animated or keyframed animation pipelines.
• Cross‑Departmental Collaboration: Proven history of interfacing seamlessly with upstream and downstream creative departments, including Writing, Storyboarding, Sound Design, Voice Acting, and technical animation teams.
• Software Fluency: Expert‑level mastery of Adobe Premiere Pro within a shared storage, enterprise‑studio network environment.
• Cinematic Artistry: A profound understanding of cinematic composition, continuity, screen direction, narrative flow, and precise audio‑to‑video synchronization.
• Franchise Alignment: Authentic familiarity with current video game culture, alongside a foundational understanding of Blizzard’s core universes (Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, StarCraft).
• Operational Autonomy: Self‑motivated work ethic capable of executing complex edits under minimal supervision, troubleshooting platform bottlenecks independently while managing short‑turnaround sprint goals.

Desirable Pluses

• Advanced knowledge of industry‑standard video compression techniques, codecs, and delivery encoding software.
• Basic compositing, rotoscoping, and 2D motion graphics proficiency utilizing Adobe After Effects.
• Secondary competencies in storyboarding, 3D title creation, or pre‑visualization.

Blizzard Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.