ILM Immersive, Technical Artist Intern, Summer 2026

Job ID 10134301 Location San Francisco, California, United States Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Jan. 15, 2026

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Program:

We’re pioneering the intersection of cinematic visual effects and interactive storytelling. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of real-time worlds, innovating at the crossroads where blockbuster VFX meet immersive experiences. We’re a collaborative community combining creativity and technical prowess in a highly engaging work environment. If you’re passionate about building the future of entertainment, we invite you to join us.

What You Will Do:

The Interactive team at ILM crafts premium, story-driven immersive entertainment for platforms including immersive cinema, VR, mixed reality, theme parks, and new media. As an Interactive Technical Art Intern, you'll blend fine art and technical expertise to help create high-fidelity experiences—contributing shaders, lighting effects, tools, and supporting the technical elements of real-time art asset creation.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with lighting and technical artists to develop, modify, and optimize tools and shaders for immersive media projects.
Design and refine real-time lighting to enhance mood and storytelling.
Partner with artists and engineers to develop character and prop assets using advanced shaders, textures, and lighting.
Troubleshoot and resolve rendering or performance challenges in real-time environments.
Ensure assets meet visual fidelity and performance requirements across platforms.
Contribute to interactive elements within immersive environments.
Organize and maintain project files, adhering to established protocols.
Work closely with Art, Engineering, and Production teams to meet technical and artistic standards.
Under supervision, participate in scripting tasks for:
- Game design and tool creation
- Unreal Engine 5 plugins and Blueprints
- Python scripting
- Shader programming (Niagara, Houdini)

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Training in traditional art (composition, drawing, color theory) and technical art (CG modeling, texturing, animation, VFX, lighting).
Strong technical aptitude coupled with artistic decision-making.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Proven ability to work both independently and with teams, displaying a proactive, positive attitude.
Effective time management and multitasking ability.
Experience with game engines—Unreal Engine 5 preferred.
Familiarity with version control systems (Perforce preferred).
Ability to translate 2D concept art into accurate 3D models.
Skilled in at least one 3D graphics application (Maya, 3ds Max).

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Broad CG generalist background with exposure to multiple game development disciplines.
Proficiency with tools such as Unreal Engine 5, Perforce, Substance Designer/Painter, JIRA, Confluence, Niagara, Houdini.
Scripting/programming skills (Python, C++, C#, Java, VEX, MEL).
Experience with lighting and shader development.
Understanding of SCRUM/Agile workflows.
Passion for games and immersive media; interest or experience in VR/AR or VFX production pipelines.

Education:

Junior or Senior year preferred
Major or previous coursework in digital art, game design and development, animation, or a related field.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree 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.
Current Disney Interns, College, International, or Culinary Program Participants: You may only work for ONE consecutive year (12 months) in any combination of an internship and/or program.
Be at least 18 years of age
Possess unrestricted work authorization

The pay rate for this role in San Francisco is $22.50 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.

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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, visit the Disney 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.

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Hiring Process

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