3D Animation & Visual Effects Lab Technician

Academy of Art University; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k options

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Commuter benefit program

Tuition-free undergraduate course

Job summary

Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA is seeking an experienced 3D Animation & VFX Lab Technician to support students, faculty, and staff in the School of Animation & Visual Effects. The role focuses on resolving academic and technical issues in the lab and virtual lab environments.

Candidates should have strong communication, troubleshooting skills across PC hardware and software, and familiarity with the listed software; the position offers full-time on-site work, benefits, and

Qualifications

• Strong problem solving and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud and 3D/visual effects tools.

Responsibilities

• Support students, staff, and instructors to resolve Academic / Technical issues in the onsite lab & rLab (virtual lab).
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Monitor student use of the onsite lab and rLab.
• Check-in/check-out students using WCO tools.
• Coordinate with Campus Hosts for smooth workflow.
• Assist with exhibitions and department events.
• Maintain department visuals and promotional media.
• Check equipment status in labs and classrooms.
• Protect equipment from theft and vandalism.
• Provide support to the Department Director.

Skills

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Attention to detail

Editing skills

Professional communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Adobe CC Suite

Autodesk Maya

ZBrush

Mari

Unreal Engine

Substance Painter

Nuke

Houdini

Arnold

Job description

Driven. Engaging. Innovative. Do these words motivate you? If so, then we want to talk with you.

Academy of Art University offers a rewarding employment experience for those who excel in a dynamic environment and who can consistently deliver high-caliber customer service. We thrive on ingenuity and pursue ideas every day that lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow.

Academy of Art University is seeking an experienced 3DAnimation & VFX Lab Technician for the School of Animation & Visual Effects to work directly with students, faculty and staff.

This individual should have excellent communication skills and a passion for student success.

This position is on-site in San Francisco, CA.

The Lab Technician will provide professional customer service, by communicating and troubleshooting directly with the students, staff, and faculty.

Responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting of software issues, investigating new solutions, and streamlining processes of various software systems.

Responsibilities:

• Support students, staff, and instructors to resolve Academic / Technical issues in the onsite lab & rLab (virtual lab).
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Provide a cordial and friendly presence to students, faculty and staff.
• Monitor student use of the onsite lab and rLab.
• Use the WCO tools to check-in/check-out students.
• Communicate and coordinate with the Campus Hosts to ensure the smooth workflow.
• Ensure that defaulting students are not attending classes or using equipment.
• Assist students with software/equipment troubleshooting in-person, through email, Discord, or Zoom.
• Collaborate with IT- Classroom Support Group to assist instructors and students with computer and software issues, to ensure that teachers can get back to instruction in the classroom as quickly as possible.
• Assist with department run exhibitions and festivals.
• Help maintain departmental aesthetic (change and update displays within department), including desktop publishing (fliers, videos, and other promotional media).
• Check the status of all equipment in lab and the classrooms.
• Protect equipment from theft and vandalism.
• Maintain a clean, functional and productive learning environment.
• Providing support and assistance to the Department Director.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Computer literacy / Problem solving / Confidentiality / Attention to detail / Editing skills / Professional Communication Skills Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to work professionally with faculty, staff, administrators, external contacts and the general public.
• Expert knowledge in one or more the following softwares: Adobe CC Suite, Autodesk Maya, Z Brush, Mari, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, Nuke, Houdini, Arnold.
• Must possess strong troubleshooting skills in both hardware and software on PC/Windows 10.
• Must have working knowledge of video editing, audio mixers.
• Shift Available: Hours to be determined upon hiring, up to 40 hours per week. Must be flexible and willing to work weekend, morning or night hours.
• Compensation: $22.00/hour
• Benefits: Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.
• Application Deadline: September 8, 2026
• Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
• Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons.
• Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

Academy of Art University, established in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens, transforms aspiring students into professional artists and designers. For three generations, the Stephens family has been devoted to the development of aspiring artists and has held the fundamental belief that with proper instruction, hard work and dedication, students can learn the skills necessary to become artistic professionals.