WDI Figure Programming Intern Spring 2027

Disney; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing opportunities

Job summary

Disney Imagineering invites university students to an internship in Orlando, FL or Glendale, CA, where you’ll join WDI Animation to prototype design, engineering, and show programming for audio-animatronics. Work with managers, engineers, and artists to deliver high-quality figures for Disney theme parks, ensuring safety and creative fidelity.

You’ll collaborate across teams to build rigs, adapt assets, and support animation pipelines using Maya, MotionBuilder, and related tools.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree in traditional animation, computer animation, industrial automation control programming or related field.
• Be at least 18 years of age, have unrestricted work authorization, and be available for the duration of the internship.
• Portfolio link required with resume for full consideration.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain Animation & Show Programming system's hardware and software.
• Assist in creating,d ebugging, and coordinating Audio-Animatronic figures’ digital assets.
• Build and review digital animation rigs.
• Provide pipeline and animation process support and asset integration to Show Animators.
• Program special effects, audio, animated props and show action equipment with the team.
• Organize, secure and maintain show data created by Animators and Show Programmers.
• Provide technical support for CG programs (e.g., Maya, MotionBuilder).
• Learn proprietary software packages and assist in developing show programming tools.

Skills

Rig creation

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Technical support

Education

Junior or higher in traditional animation / computer animation / industrial automation or related field

Tools

Maya

MotionBuilder

Z-Brush

MS Excel

Adobe Photoshop

Final Cut Pro

Premier

After Effects

SolidWorks

Unreal/Unity

Job description

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture…

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

The approximate dates of this internship is January 2027 to June 2027 and will be located in Orlando, FL or Glendale, CA.

What You Will Do

As an intern, you will work within WDI Animation which is a one-stop shop for prototypical design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, figure finishing, installation, show programming and animation. This is the group that "creates the illusion of life” within our attractions to tell amazing stories. This department includes managers, technical specialists and engineers who provide delivery of high-quality audio-animatronics to Disney theme parks that are safe, meet creative intent, and are easily maintainable.

• Work closely with other Show Programmers to operate and maintain Animation & Show Programming system's highly specialized hardware and software tools
• Assist in creating, debugging, and coordinating Audio-Animatronic figures' digital assets (character sheets, animation data, rigs, ride paths, shots, and/or models)
• Build and review digital animation rigs
• Provide pipeline and animation process support and asset integration to the Show Animators for the programming of Audio-Animatronics figures
• Partner with the creative team and overall show programming team to program special effects, audio, animated props and show action equipment
• Organize, secure and maintain show data created by the Animators and Show Programmers
• Provide technical support for computer graphic animation programs (such as Maya and MotionBuilder)
• Assist in developing or maintaining show programming tools
• Learn proprietary software packages

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Familiarity with creating and maintaining rigs for CG character animation
• Ability to function in a dynamic work environment, managing multiple project tasks
• Basic Knowledge of robotic animation, control systems, and mechanical systems
• Ability to provide basic technical support for computer graphic animation applications
• Ability to work with limited supervision but be able to integrate inputs from many individuals and work as a team member
• High tolerance for change and changing requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Desired software knowledge/familiarity among several of the following: Maya, MotionBuilder, Z-Brush, MS Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Premier, After Effects (or similar video editing software), Solid Works, Tait Navigator, Shotgun, Rhino, Unreal/Unity
• Desired scripting knowledge: Python, Mel, C, C++
• Experience with Game Engines

Materials Required

• A portfolio review is required for this position. For full consideration, please include a link to your portfolio on your resume. Applications without a portfolio link on the resume will not be considered a completed application packet and may not be fully considered for the position. Please visit our support site for additional information.

Education

• Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university earning a degree majoring in traditional animation, computer animation, industrial automation control programming or related field.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

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

• Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess unrestricted work authorization
• Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program.

Additional Information

• Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work
• Must be fully available for the duration of the internship
• Able to provide own housing for the duration of the internship in Glendale, CA
• We provide limited housing opportunities for Florida-Based Professional Interns through American Campus Communities, for more information click here

The pay rate for this role in Glendale, CA or Orlando, FL is $26.50 per hour for undergraduate students and $27.50 per hour for graduate level students. 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.