ILM Technical Artist Intern, Summer 2025

Job ID 10108451 Location San Francisco, California, United States Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Jan. 08, 2025

Apply Now

Job Summary:

About the Role & Program:

ILM Immersive produces premium, story‐based immersive entertainment experiences for the following real‐time rendered platforms: Immersive Cinema, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, Theme Parks, and New Media. The ILM Immersive FX/Technical Art Intern will utilize fine art and technical art skills to contribute to the production of experiences by integrating with the development team to assist in the creation of shaders, visual effects, tools, and other more complex technical aspects of crafting art assets.

We’re on a mission: building the future. We’re working in this crazy‐fun, hybridized fusion of entertainment where exceptionally high‐end (previously pre‐rendered) VFX meets interactive, immersive stories. That spectacular mash‐up results in unparalleled real‐time worlds where we endeavor to raise the bar for experiences and visuals as high as we possibly can. As if making compelling movies and games wasn’t hard enough in isolation! Don’t get us wrong, we’re not complaining about the challenges. That’s literally why we come to work: It is our great fortune to be standing at the crossroads ‐ unconstrained by a specific title or universe ‐ in a collaborative, highly creative, and highly technical work environment. If that sounds interesting, jump in. We still believe in picking up hitchhikers.

What You Will Do:

Help process/optimize art assets for efficient use in the game engine.
Under the supervision of technical and VFX artists: create models, textures, material setups/UV layouts, and some look development for environment/prop assets, including LODs.
Under the supervision of VFX artists, create high-quality, optimized visual effects using animation, procedural simulation, dynamic simulation, and particle and fluid systems.
Learn real‐time art workflow in the immersive experience production context.
Learn features/functions in Unreal Engine 5 and third‐party tools. Create art examples using these tools and create effective presentations showing findings and results.
Setting up and organizing project files, including cleaning up references and folders to align with established protocols.

Under supervision of technical/VFX artists, perform scripting tasks and gain experience in:

Game design scripting
Small tools scripting
Unreal 5 plug‐ins
Blueprints
Python
Shaders
Niagara
Houdini

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Traditional art (composition, drawing, sketching, and color theory) and technical art (CG modeling, texturing, surfacing, animation, lighting, VFX) training.
Technical capability.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact with diverse personalities.
Proven ability to work autonomously and in team settings with a positive, proactive attitude.
Strong time management skills; Ability to multitask and prioritize.
Experience working in a game engine, Unreal Engine 5 preferred.
Basic knowledge of version control systems, Perforce preferred.
Ability to translate 2D concept art into 3D objects with accuracy.
Competence with one or more 3D graphics applications (Maya, 3Ds Max)

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

CG generalist‐type education, with a general understanding of all game development fields.
Programming/Scripting skills are a huge plus (Python, C++, C#, Java, VEX, or MEL)
SCRUM/Agile understanding useful
Passion for playing and making games; experience or interest in VR and AR VFX production/pipeline experience

Solid understanding of the following applications:

Unreal Engine 5
Perforce
Substance Designer/Painter
JIRA
Confluence
Niagara
Houdini

Education:

Currently working toward a Bachelor's with a major in Digital Art, Game Design & Development, Animation, or a related field.

Program Details:

Location: San Francisco, CA.
Program Length: May/June - August/September 2025 (12 weeks).
Full-time, 40 hours per week.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

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.
Must be at least 18 years old
Must possess unrestricted work authorization and provide full availability for the entire program duration.
Must provide your own housing and transportation during the internship.
Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or Disney College Program.

Additional Information:

At Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), 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.

The pay rate for this role in San Fransisco, CA, is $35.00 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.

Apply Now

About Industrial Light & Magic:

Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc, which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.

Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. 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, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.

Hiring Process

Where Does Your Story Begin?

Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.
Be Part of the Story

There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.
The Next Chapter

Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.

Explore this Location San Francisco, CA

Famous for grand-dame Victorians, cable cars, a dynamic waterfront, and a soaring golden bridge, San Francisco truly has it all. With trend-defining cuisine ranging from Michelin-starred dining to outrageous food trucks; world-renowned symphony, ballet, theater, and opera; plus almost boundless outdoor adventures, San Francisco justifiably stands out as one of the ultimate must-visit cities on any traveler’s wish list.