Senior 3D Motion Designer: Space Tech Storytelling Lead

CesiumAstro; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Generous benefits package

Job summary

CesiumAstro seeks a seasoned 3D Motion Designer to produce high‑quality 3D content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations in the space and airborne platform space.

You will lead end-to-end 3D production, from modeling and lighting to rendering and compositing, while mentoring juniors and collaborating with engineers, designers, and marketers to translate complex engineering concepts into visually compelling stories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5–8 years of professional experience.
• Expert knowledge of the end-to-end 3D production pipeline, including modeling, animation, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, compositing, and post-production.
• Demonstrated ability to create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
• Ability to establish and scale modular 3D animation assets across multiple videos, campaigns, and presentations.
• Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization, or cinematic product storytelling.
• Proficiency with industry-standard 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max.
• Experience using professional rendering engines, including Redshift, Octane, Arnold, or V-Ray.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro for animation, compositing, and video editing.
• Experience with Substance Painter or similar texturing and material authoring tools.
• Ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional quality, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Own production of high-quality 3D animated content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations.
• Lead creation of polished, artful 3D animated sequences for marketing, product storytelling, technical explainers, and similar use cases.
• Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, and compositing.
• Create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
• Establish and maintain modular 3D animation assets and standards for reuse across videos, campaigns, and presentations.
• Translate complex engineering concepts into beautiful and technically accurate visual content, independently resolving ambiguity in technical input.
• Partner directly with engineers and designers to develop storyboards and technical concepts for complex projects.
• Collaborate with designers, marketers, and engineering subject matter experts, serving as the primary point of contact for 3D content.
• Apply strong visual storytelling instincts to balance technical accuracy, clarity, beauty, and brand impact across high-visibility projects.
• Maintain strong attention to detail and own quality for all final renders.
• Establish file organization and asset management standards, and mentor junior designers on 3D production practices.

Job description

CesiumAstro seeks a seasoned 3D Motion Designer to produce high‑quality 3D content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations in the space and airborne platform space.

You will lead end-to-end 3D production, from modeling and lighting to rendering and compositing, while mentoring juniors and collaborating with engineers, designers, and marketers to translate complex engineering concepts into visually compelling stories.