Walt Disney Animation Studios Volume Rendering Optimization Graduate Intern, Summer 2027

Disney Entertainment; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Walt Disney Animation Studios invites applications for a Technology Intern position within the Rendering team, focusing on volume rendering research and production workflows using Hyperion. You will work with artists and engineers under a Disney mentor to explore unsolved rendering challenges and develop practical, user-friendly controls for production pipelines.

The internship emphasizes hands-on learning in computer graphics, collaboration across disciplines, and applying recent research to a

Qualifications

• Modern C++ expertise and the ability to write clear, efficient code.
• Strong collaboration with developers and artists.
• Advanced rendering research/development experience.
• Proficiency in calculus, linear algebra and probability.

Responsibilities

• Work on volume rendering improvements and related research.
• Collaborate with artists, TDs, engineers, and researchers to evaluate production suitability.
• Develop user-facing controls and workflows for rendering tools.

Skills

Modern C++

Communication skills

Advanced rendering research

Mathematics

Education

Masters/PhD in CS/CE (Graphics/Rendering)

Tools

Mitsuba

PBRT

Tungsten

Profiling tools

Job description

Job Requirements

About the Role & Team:

As a Walt Disney Animation Studios Technology Intern, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a Disney mentor while exploring all aspects of technology in relation to filmmaking. This immersive program offers hands‑on experience focused on individual craft and multidisciplinary team collaboration. Learn more about our filmmaking process here (https://www.disneyanimation.com/process/).

The Rendering team, within Production Technology, works on Disney Animation’s in‑house path tracing software, Hyperion, which computes final film frames by simulating camera, light, geometry, and material interactions described by artist‑built scenes.

What You Will Do:

As a graduate‑level intern with a passion for rendering, you’ll be working on interesting, unsolved problems generally related to volume rendering. Potential topics include (but are not necessarily limited to) general efficiency improvements to existing volume rendering techniques, novel looks involving volumes, and finding ways to unify and improve consistency between surface, subsurface, and volume appearance models. This project will involve applying recent state‑of‑the‑art research to a practical production rendering environment, conducting new research as needed, working with artists and users to understand and meet creative needs, and developing intuitive user‑facing controls and workflows.

Projects Include:

• Learning about rendering requirements at Disney Animation and relevant artist workflows.

• Research/implement potential solutions to improving delta tracking performance for thin volumes. Potential approaches could include path guiding techniques, improved multiple importance sampling, etc.

• Research/implement potential solutions to unifying volume and surface rendering theory. Potential approaches range from improved surface interface handling to more novel research, such as gaussian process implicit surfaces.

• Collaborate with artists, TD, engineers, and researchers to evaluate potential solutions for production suitability and artist usability.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Don’t have all the below qualifications? We still want to hear from you! If you meet some of the requirements and are eager to learn, we encourage you to apply:

• Modern C++ expertise. The ability to write clear, maintainable and efficient code.

• Strong communication skills. The ability to collaborate with both developers and artists.

• Advanced rendering research/development experience.

• Proficiency in mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, and probability theory).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Physically based volume rendering research/development experience.

• Path guiding research/development experience.

• Strong understanding of advanced research topics such as specular micro-surface theory, subsurface scattering theory, etc.

• Experience in using production rendering systems.

• Experience in working with large research rendering codebases (Mitsuba, PBRT, Tungsten, etc).

• Experience in using profiling/debugging tools.

Education:

• Current enrollment in a Masters or PhD program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field with a focus on Computer Graphics, Rendering, or relevant research areas.

• At the time of application, must be enrolled in an accredited college/university taking at least one class in the semester/quarter (spring/fall) prior to participation in the internship program AND returning to school the semester/quarter following the internship OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program

• Possess unrestricted work authorization

• Location: Burbank, CA

• Program Length: June 7, 2027 - August 27, 2027 (12 weeks)

• Fully available from M-F, PST for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week

• Able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Los Angeles, CA area

• Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work

Additional Information: This posting represents an expression of interest for various roles within Walt Disney Animation Studios' technical teams. By applying, you will be considered for multiple opportunities that match your skills and interests. At Walt Disney Animation Studios, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where all voices are valued. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, to apply.

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, CA is $42.00 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs (https://support.disneycareers.com/hc/en-us/sections/32131060143380-Candidate-Disability-Accommodations-FAQs) . We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.