2026 Character TD Summer Internship - Character Simulation

Job Posting Title:

2026 Character TD Summer Internship - Character Simulation

Req ID:

10143733

Job Description:

The Internship Program

We are seeking individuals that have a love for learning, and are interested in exploring an artistic career in character simulation (cloth, hair, muscles and more) to join us for an immersive summer.

Our Internship Program dives into the artistry, technology, craft and operations behind our animated films while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your unique talents can grow within our studio. Learn more about our filmmaking process here. 

Find yourself immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by our artists, technologists, and production leaders.

Location: Burbank, CA 

Am I Eligible?

• 18 years or older

• Must be enrolled in a post-secondary educational program (such as a community college, college, university, graduate school, trade school, or accredited online program), or have graduated within six months of our internship program start date

• Program Length: The approximate dates of this internship are June-August 2026. Interns must be fully available for the duration of a 11-week assignment. 

• The Intern Program is based in our Burbank, California studios and will start in June 2026.

Job Summary 

The role of a Character TD at Disney Animation includes Technical Animation (also known as Creature Dev, Character Finaling, or Character Effects), Simulation Setup, and Rigging. Each craft is highly collaborative and viewed as both a technical and an artistic role. For this particular opportunity we will have Interns focus on Character Simulation.

Examples of Character Simulation May Include:

• Cloth simulation rigs that demonstrate an understanding of tailoring, fitting and fabric properties  under a broad range of motion

• Hair simulation rigs that demonstrate an understanding of groom structure and hair texture under a broad range of motion

• An artist friendly intuitive interface for working with simulation rigs

• An understanding of the principles of animation and how they apply to cloth and hair motion

• An understanding of creating appeal in cloth and hair performance 

• Creative problem solving ability

• Examples of art-directed cloth and hair simulations

• Demonstration of real world tailoring and/or hair styling knowledge

Other skills may include:

• Grooming experience, 

• Pattern making experience

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and take direction well

• Working knowledge of CG software such as Maya

• Interest in fashion design software such as Marvelous Designer is a plus

• Scripting in MEL, Python, or C++ is a plus

• Tool development examples

• Knowledge of Linux

• Supplemental fine art portfolio of drawing or sculpture that demonstrates understanding of anatomy, design, cloth in motion and/or hair in motion

Application Requirements

To apply, you must upload a resume including your school and expected graduation date and the below by Monday (March 2, 2026):

• Please submit a website, portfolio, or reel (max length 2 min) to demonstrate your interest and experience in the listed disciplines 

• Include shot breakdown on your reel if applicable 

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The pay rate for this role in Burbank is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Job Posting Segment:

WDAS Bur Prod

Job Posting Primary Business:

WDAS Bur Prod

Primary Job Posting Category:

Production Intern

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Burbank, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-02-23