2D Animator

Job Description

Boulder Media is on the lookout for 2D Animators. It is a full-time, specified-purpose role with hybrid working arrangements (i.e., a combination of both remote and in-studio working). We are hiring multiple artists for this role, with successful candidates expected to start in mid to late April. At this time, we are currently accepting applications from artists based in Ireland only. The closing date for applications is the 15th of March 2026.

About us

Established in 2000, Boulder Media has become one of Ireland's largest animation studios. Combining our passion, expertise, and experience, we believe in the power of our creativity and our ability to deliver world-class animated entertainment experiences. Boulder has produced many great shows, including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Amazing World of Gumball, El Tigre, Wander Over Yonder, My Little Pony: Pony Life, DC Super Hero Girls, Transformers Cyberverse, Danger Mouse, Cat Burglar, and the Netflix hit feature film – My Little Pony: A New Generation.

About our culture

Boulder Media is not only a very hard-working creative studio, but we also have a jam-packed social calendar. From celebrating the end of each show with wrap parties to our famous Halloween fancy dress and Christmas celebrations to bake-offs, table quizzes, dungeons & dragons, online and offline meet-ups, and sketch-ups. We put on cultural events to celebrate our international staff and make them feel at home, away from home. What makes Boulder Media special is the people that fill the studio and bring life to everything we do. Boulder is a family, a very nurturing and open space for all to come and be themselves and express who they are through creativity. We would love you to be part of our animation adventure!

About the role

The primary role of the 2D Animator is to translate each scene from animatic to the final animation by roughing, keying, and animating each shot. The animator will maintain model, executing the feeling and emotion, while staying within the quality style of the show. You will join a close-knit team of artists, so you will be proactive, driven, great at problem-solving, and thrive collaborating with different teams within the business. 

Key Responsibilities

General 

• Attend creative, production and management meetings as/when required. 
• Attain an understanding of the style and expectations of the show by following the guidance and instructions provided by the production team and animation leads. 
• Submit animation to the standard required by the show. 
• Ensure any concerns or questions in relation to the scenes and deadlines are communicated in a clear and timely manner to your team lead and supervisors. 
• Ensure your assignments, scenes, and retakes are in line to meet the required production schedules.   
• Continuously develop your drawing skills and strive to improve those skills with tutorials, life drawing, sketching and general animation research. 

Day-To-Day  

• Review all animatics provided by the Production Team before starting a scene. 
• Check all episodic materials are available before starting your assignment to ensure completion of daily and weekly tasks. 
• Keep daily planners accurate and saved in the correct location as soon as possible after receiving your assignment from the Production Team. 
• Review your assignment, look out for hook-ups, reuse, and stock essentials. 
• Analyse the brief provided by your team lead and clarify any questions or concerns you may have prior starting your assignment. 
• Refer to the notes and guidance provided by the Production Team to understand the intent of any given scene. 
• Communicate any problems that may arise as early as possible with your team lead. 
• Create a rough plan of how you are going to approach your scene with show level and style of animation requirements in mind. 
• Use the libraries, reuse, special poses, expression sheet, size relation charts and any reference material to help you work through your scenes. 
• Use reference (mirror, photo, stock images) for posing to make sure your resulting animation is clear and readable. 
• Do roughs to get a baseline idea of how the shot will play out. 
• Key out the characters keeping them on model using good silhouettes and line of action. 
• Ensure the produced animation is well timed, has variety, contrast, and personality and meets the required standards of the show. 
• Check your work for scene length, quality control issues, model, or technical mistakes before submitting work for review by the team leads and other supervisors. 
• Follow naming conventions, keep work tidy and within the asset managers guidelines both on the server and ftrack. 
• Ensure all technical and creative retakes given by the team leads, directors and clients are accurately addressed as per all written notes and visual reference materials supplied, and meet with the required standards of the show. 
• Follow all guidelines issued by the Pipeline team with regard to workflow. 
• As part of your continuous development, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest initiatives and developments in your area of expertise/role such as (but not limited to), training, learning and development initiatives and mentoring. 
• Any other duties company management may from time to time deem necessary and reasonably require. 

What would we look for?

• Your showreel and portfolio should demonstrate your skills in animation (please include passwords, if password-protected). 
• Basic knowledge of Toon Boom Harmony is preferable. 
• A good understanding of the animation principles. 
• Great aptitude for drawing, animation, and observation. 
• Ability to work in a team. 
• Good time management skills and an ability to work to deadlines. 
• Must be flexible, willing to learn and self-motivated. 
• Be able to work within a weekly quota and production schedule. 
• Must have good interpersonal skills. 
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written. 

What do we offer? 

• Competitive salary, depending on skills and experience.
• 21 days' holidays per annum (pro rata).
• An extra paid day off for Good Friday each year.
• An extra paid day off for Christmas Eve each year.
• Time off for Christmas.
• Paid sick leave.
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package.
• Death-In-Service Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Vision/Eye Care.
• Temporary Remote Work Abroad.
• Flexi Benefit towards Health Insurance / Gym Membership.
• Hybrid Working model.
• Full access to the DCM Learning Platform for learning needs.
• Bike-to-Work Scheme.

Boulder Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting diversity and inclusion within our work environment. All applicants, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling Community, will be given equal consideration for employment based on their skills, experience, and potential.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.