Senior Motion Designer

Zipline; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is hiring a Senior Motion Designer to animate and tell Zipline’s story across social, brand, product launches, and explainers. You will translate briefs into storyboards, animate complex concepts, and create reusable motion templates.

Work closely with Communications, Brand, Social, Marketing, engineers, and operators in a fast‑paced environment. You bring 6+ years of motion design, a strong reel, and mastery of After Effects with 2D/3D skills; familiarity with CAD assets and data

Qualifications

• 6+ years of motion design experience in in‑house, agency, or studio settings.
• Strong reel showing 2D/3D work with clear role attribution.
• Ability to translate complex tech into engaging visuals.
• Expert proficiency in After Effects; strong Illustrator/Photoshop/Figma skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and animate motion graphics for social, brand video, launches, explainers, events, web, and presentations.
• Translate briefs, scripts, and technical concepts into storyboards and animatics.
• Create motion graphics using typography, diagrams, data, and 2D/3D elements.
• Develop titles, transitions, end cards, and templates for efficient reuse.
• Composite with live‑action footage including tracking, masking, and screen replacements.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, designers, and engineers to meet schedules.

Skills

Storytelling

Animation craft

Typography

Communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Tools

Cinema 4D

Blender

Adobe After Effects

Illustrator

Photoshop

Figma

Unreal Engine

Lottie

Rive

Job description

• Zipline’s communications team shapes and shares the company’s story and impact. We develop and implement strategies and tactics to educate our target audiences about Zipline, tell stories that raise awareness about what we’re doing and the impact that we’re having, increase acceptance of and excitement for our system, and cultivate ambassadors. We are passionate storytellers and make complex topics simple and understandable
• Zipline is expanding in the U.S. and will be delivering food, medicine, retail items and more directly to people’s homes in many states over the next few years. We are seeking a Senior Motion Designer to bring Zipline’s products, operations, people, and impact to life through animation and motion graphics
• You will translate creative briefs, scripts, brand systems, and technical concepts into storyboards, style frames, animatics, and polished motion work. Your work will span social and brand video, product launches, explainers, events, web, and presentations
• You will work closely with Communications, Brand, Social, Marketing, engineers, and operators, as well as a Video Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor. This is a hands-on role for a designer who combines strong visual fundamentals with animation craft and can make complex technology clear, accurate, and compelling
• Design and animate motion graphics for social and brand video, product launches, technical explainers, customer stories, events, web, and presentations
• Translate briefs, scripts, static designs, and technical information into storyboards, style frames, motion studies, animatics, and final animation
• Create clear visual explanations of Zipline’s products and operations using typography, maps, diagrams, data, product interfaces, callouts, and 2D and 3D animation
• Develop titles, lower thirds, transitions, end cards, graphic packages, and other motion elements that integrate cleanly with live-action footage
• Composite motion and visual effects into footage, including screen replacements, tracked graphics, masks, cleanup, and other shot-based work
• Collaborate with the Editor on timing, pacing, integration, renders, revisions, and delivery of motion assets within finished video
• Partner with the Video Producer to estimate effort, confirm requirements, plan reviews, and deliver work against production schedules
• Work with brand designers and creative partners to apply Zipline’s visual identity consistently in motion across channels and formats
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and other subject‑matter experts to represent products, interfaces, workflows, and operational details accurately
• Build and maintain reusable templates, animation components, title systems, project files, and documentation that improve consistency and production efficiency
• Adapt work across durations, aspect ratios, resolutions, placements, and regional versions while preserving visual quality and brand consistency
• Maintain organized source files, linked assets, naming conventions, version history, render settings, and archives for efficient collaboration and reuse

• Professional experience with Cinema 4D, Blender, or another 3D package, including animation, lighting, rendering, and compositing workflows
• Experience integrating animation with live-action footage through compositing, tracking, masking, keying, and screen replacement
• Experience with robotics, autonomy, aviation, logistics, hardware, infrastructure, healthcare, or another technically complex field is a plus
• Ability to translate complex products, systems, data, and technical concepts into clear and engaging visual communication
• A strong reel and portfolio demonstrating motion craft, design judgment, visual storytelling, and range across 2D and 3D work, with your role identified for each project
• Expert proficiency in Adobe After Effects and strong working proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma
• Familiarity with emerging animation, compositing, and AI‑assisted creative tools is a plus
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain design choices, incorporate feedback, and work effectively with creative and technical partners
• Experience building reusable motion templates and maintaining organized, production‑ready project files
• Experience with CAD‑derived assets, product visualization, simulation, UI animation, data visualization, Lottie, Rive, Unreal Engine, or real‑time workflows is a plus
• 6+ years of professional motion design experience in an in‑house creative team, agency, studio, production company, or similarly demanding environment
• Strong fundamentals in typography, composition, color, hierarchy, timing, easing, rhythm, pacing, and animation principles
• Experience developing storyboards, style frames, motion tests, and animatics that clearly communicate an approach before production
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments, versions, and deadlines in a fast‑moving production environment
• You are a hands‑on maker who enjoys moving from early frames and motion tests through polished final animation
• You use motion to direct attention, explain how something works, and strengthen a story
• You are curious about complex technology and diligent about representing it accurately
• You collaborate well with producers, editors, designers, and technical subject‑matter experts
• You respond constructively to feedback and can iterate while maintaining craft and consistency
• You care about organized files, reliable handoffs, and the production details that make creative work reusable
• You are passionate about Zipline’s mission, impact, and products