Warner Bros. Discovery hiring Facial Animator, 2026

Job Overview

• Company: Warner Bros. Discovery (WB Games / NetherRealm Studios)
• Role Title: Animator (Facial Animation Focus)
• Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary (Contract)
• Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Work Model: Hybrid (3 Days Onsite at the Chicago Studio)
• Primary Goal:
• High-fidelity facial animation & pipeline management

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) , the premier global media and entertainment powerhouse behind iconic franchises like Wizards, Dragons, and Superheroes , is seeking a disciplined Animator (Temporary) to join its world-class gaming division.

As part of the Warner Bros. Discovery family, you will work within the legendary NetherRealm Studios in Chicago—the creative force that brought Mortal Kombat and Injustice to life. At WBD, we believe our people are the “stuff dreams are made of.” We offer career-defining opportunities to creators and technology trailblazers who are ready to push the boundaries of storytelling and interactive entertainment. If you are a detail-oriented animator looking to impact a Triple-A pipeline at a global scale, your journey with WBD starts here.

Compensation & WBD Benefits

Warner Bros. Discovery provides competitive compensation packages designed to attract top-tier talent to our specialized gaming teams.

Estimated Range / Details

$28.00 — $42.00 USD per hour (Based on merit and experience)

$58,000 — $87,000 USD

Access to career-defining growth tools and curated benefits

Onsite arcade, collaborative hallways, and cutting-edge tech

Eligibility for 1.5x pay for hours exceeding 40 per week

The Role: Elevating the WBD Cinematic Experience

As an Animator at Warner Bros. Discovery , you are responsible for the “soul” of our characters. Working within the Cinematics Team, you will manage the facial animation pipeline to ensure every performance meets the high-shippable quality expected of a WBD global release.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance: Validate that facial animations work seamlessly and look correct within the game engine. At WBD, we strive for “Industry Leading” visual fidelity.

• Assembly: Manage the technical packaging of delivered facial animation into game-ready assets.

• Performance Polish: Use Maya to produce or edit facial performance data, tweaking outsourced or in-house animations to achieve a higher shippable quality.

• Collaboration: Participate in WBD team content reviews and assist in Motion Capture (Mocap) shoots as needed to capture raw, high-impact data.

• Iterative Refinement: Spot micro-mistakes in facial rigs or performance data quickly to ensure the final product is flawless.

Requirements: Joining the WBD Creative Elite

Warner Bros. Discovery looks for dreamers who have the technical discipline to execute at scale.

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree (BFA/BS) from an accredited art/design school or equivalent professional experience. (Current students or recent graduates are encouraged to apply).

• Technical Mastery:

  • Industry Tools: Familiarity with Maya or MotionBuilder is required.

  • Engine Logic: Familiarity with the Unreal Engine is a significant advantage.

  • Software Suite: Comfort using Photoshop and Premiere for asset review and reference.

• Specialized Skillset: A deep understanding of facial and body animation, specifically how to translate human emotion into a digital performance.

• WBD Core Values:

  • Organization: Ability to manage and multitask across complex cinematic sequences.

  • Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to thrive in a highly collaborative studio environment.

  • Adaptability: A fast learner who can master proprietary WBD tools and animation rigs quickly.

How We Get Things Done at WBD

At Warner Bros. Discovery , our guiding principles define our success. We celebrate our storytellers and empower them to “up the ante” on what is possible. You will be expected to:

1. Champion Inclusion: Help us build a workforce that reflects the diverse global audience we serve.

2. Act with Integrity: Take ownership of your tasks and uphold the prestige of our iconic brands.

3. Innovate Daily: Leverage breakthrough technology to create safer, more civil, and more exciting shared experiences.

Working Format & Hybrid Policy

This is a Hybrid Temporary role within our Chicago hub. Warner Bros. Discovery emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration for cinematic roles.

• Onsite Expectation: 3 days per week at the NetherRealm Studio in Chicago, IL.

• Atmosphere: Join a team of dedicated professionals at the forefront of the gaming industry, supported by WBD’s global infrastructure.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

Minimum Standard

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)

Maya / MotionBuilder

Facial Animation Pipeline

BFA/BS (Completed or Enrolled)

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Inclusion & Accessibility

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives and backgrounds. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering candidates on the basis of merit without regard to race, religion, gender, or orientation.

If you are a qualified candidate with a disability requiring accommodations during the application process, WBD provides dedicated instructions on our accessibility page to ensure you can thrive.

Final Thoughts

At Warner Bros. Discovery , we don’t just make games; we create the “stuff dreams are made of.” If you have a passion for facial animation and want to work on some of the most beloved brands in the world, we want to hear from you.