Head of Environments

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us!

Job Summary:

The Head of Environments works inside of NAS as the show-based leader for all digital environments, sets, and props. They will partner closely with the Director, Production Designer, VFX Supervisor, Art Director (Environments), Head of Assets, and Technical Supervisor to ensure that environmental designs are both artistically compelling and technically robust.

The Head of Environments will oversee the environment asset teams—including Modeling, Surfacing, and Matte Painting—during asset development, look development, and shot production. They will define the technical and artistic approach for environment construction, review and give notes on all set and prop builds, and ensure they meet the highest quality bar while remaining efficient and stable in production. This involves translating 2D concepts into 3D space, guiding camera projections and matte painting integration, solving complex technical pipeline challenges, and helping set up the environmental asset build of the project for success.

This position is essential in bridging the gap between artistic vision and 3D technical reality, ensuring that digital environments feel immersive, stylized, and fully aligned with the film’s visual language. The Head of Environments builds strong relationships with creative leadership and technical/production partners, demonstrating great leadership and communication skills to balance artistic ambition with schedule, budget, and pipeline constraints.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and supervise environment asset creation across the show, providing creative and technical guidance for digital environments, sets, and props.

• Define the creative and technical approach for modeling, surfacing, camera projections, and matte painting elements in line with the Director's vision.

• Drive team reviews and provide detailed, actionable creative and technical feedback to Modeling, Surfacing, and DMP departments.

• Collaborate with Directors, Production Designers, Art Directors, and VFX Supervisors to effectively translate 2D environment designs into 3D production-ready sets.

• Partner with Technical Supervisors, Production Technology, and pipeline teams to define, optimize, and maintain efficient asset-creation tools and standardized canonical workflows.

• Ensure all environment assets adhere to high technical standards and integrate seamlessly into downstream departments such as Layout, Lighting, and Compositing.

• Work closely with Production Management on bids, schedules, and resource priorities to deliver high-quality environments on time and within budget.

• Mentor and support Modeling, Surfacing, and DMP Supervisors and artists, fostering professional growth, skill development, and a positive team culture.

• Communicate effectively across disciplines, translating complex technical concepts into accessible language for creative partners and vice versa.

• Collaborate with grace, humility, inclusion, and open-mindedness.

What You’ll Need

• At least 10 years of experience in environment asset creation within film, TV, or games, including 5–7 years in a leadership or supervisory role on large-scale animated features or VFX films.

• Expert knowledge of Modeling and Surfacing workflows, with a deep understanding of 3D environment layout, asset builds, volume, form, and camera projections.

• Proven production-level proficiency in Maya and ZBrush/Mudbox, texturing packages (Substance, Mari, Photoshop), and matte painting/projection workflows.

• Expert understanding of digital film pipelines and related technologies, including Katana, RenderMan, and real-time pipelines.

• Strong 2D skills to quickly mock up and iterate concepts, helping define the visual and spatial rules of the environments.

• Experience with project management and production tracking systems such as Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid).

• Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills, with the ability to foster collaboration across diverse departments and personalities.

• Highly motivated self-starter with excellent time management, organizational skills, and the ability to make considered judgments under production pressure.

This role is based out of Sydney, Australia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office). 

NAS benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off. See more detail about our benefits here. 

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.