Assistant Professor in Animation
Location: Lakewood, CO
Target Salary: $65k - $68k per year
Application Deadline: 11/1/2026
Start Date: 01/04/2027 Overview Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is looking for a Full-Time Professor who has expertise in Real-Time Animation. The faculty member works with the Digital Arts + Media Department Chair, and the Program Leads for both Animation and Game Arts programs. They work closely with students, faculty, and administrative staff to advance teaching, curricular development, and co-curricular experiences. They will focus on teaching, and expansion of the Animation curriculum, while monitoring and improving student learning and success, and performing duties as assigned by the Chair and the Program Leads. RMCAD’s Digital Arts + Media Department offers degree programs rooted in industry-aligned practices, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The successful applicant will have demonstrated expertise in real-time Animation, with experience in technical animation, virtual production, and/or the integration of Unreal Engine with traditional 3D and 2D asset development for animation workflows. Traditional animation skills such as character motion study and performance-based animation are also highly valued. This position supports the continued design, development, and delivery of dynamic, studio-centered curricula and the advancement of learning outcomes to prepare students for leadership in an evolving digital landscape.
Required Qualifications
- A graduate degree (MA, MS, MFA, MDes, or equivalent) in Animation, Game Art, Game Design, relevant Motion Graphics, OR a bachelor’s degree with a sustained record of professional or studio-based work in these areas.
- Proficiency using and teaching industry-leading 2D + 3D Animation software, such as Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, etc
- Examples of pedagogical approaches that align with the institution's mission and values, along with evidence of effective and inclusive teaching that values a diverse student body.
Preferred Qualifications - A terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in Art, Design or a related discipline OR equivalent professional distinction recognized at a national or international level.
- 2 years of teaching experience in an accredited postsecondary institution with proven expertise in teaching Animation, Game Design, or related digital media.
- A sustained record of professional or studio-based work in Animation, Game Design, or related digital media, demonstrated through published short/feature films, games, series work, studio credits, freelance projects, portfolio, and/or client-based productions.
- Ongoing engagement with contemporary, emerging industry practices and pipelines with demonstrated expertise in 3D and 2D animation production workflows. This includes character animation, scene development, and rigging/puppetry in Toon Boom Harmony, as well as 3D animation workflows in Autodesk Maya. Experience with storyboarding, motion graphics, or visual development pipelines is also valued.
- Professional experience with visual development, including color, lighting, composition, and aesthetic design to support storytelling and animation production pipelines.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary animation production, relevant software, industry and independent workflows, with a demonstrated ability to integrate real-time technology.
- Candidates should demonstrate expertise in animation fundamentals, time-based storytelling, 2D or 3D character building, real-time animation software.
- Motivation to stay current with emerging technologies, including AI-driven workflows.
- Ability to teach and mentor students from a broad range of life experiences and educational paths.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving and respecting all students, staff, and faculty.
- Broad knowledge of the history of art, contemporary art and design.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills across multiple teaching modalities.
- Ability to work autonomously, taking initiative on tasks, and meeting deadlines.
- Outwardly contribute to a respectful, positive, and professional workspace.
- Interest in emerging trends and technologies in design education and practice.
Primary Responsibilities Teaching + Instruction - Teach a full instructional load as defined by RMCAD and commensurate with rank, hold regular office hours, advise students, participate in and contribute to the development of co-curricular activities. Responsibilities include instruction and student engagement across both on campus and online modalities. Regularly give feedback and critiques with a combination of in person and/or online written and video formats.
- Courses taught in this role are in the Animation and Game Arts Programs in the Digital Arts + Media Department. They will reflect the faculty member’s range of expertise. Courses include but are not limited to: Fundamentals of Animated Storytelling; Storyboarding; 2D and 3D Animation Sequences; Character Creation; Worldbuilding; Environment Creation; 3D Modeling; Rigging; Animation Pipelines; Senior Project Sequence.
- Maintain a high standard of teaching effectiveness as evident by student evaluations, retention, and other pedagogical metrics.
Service to the Department - Support the Institutional Mission, Vision, and Values, and the Department Mission.
- Participate in institutional and Academic Division committees, program reviews, academic assessment, curriculum revision, and/or course development as needed.
- Attend college events, meetings, and training sessions as determined by the Academic leadership and/or the Department Chair.
- Engage with community organizations and associations that further and promote RMCAD.
Scholarship + Creative Work - Maintain a practice of scholarship, professional achievement, and ongoing professional/creative research.
- Contribute discipline-based, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary scholarship that advances knowledge and learning by producing new ideas and understandings (examples can include but are not limited to peer-reviewed articles, guest speaker events and presentations).
- Produce and exhibit creative works.
Professional Development - Grow personal knowledge and skills within the fields of Animation and related practices, including maintaining currency with new and essential software.
- Continued investment in pedagogical and curricular best practices.
- Professional research which seeks to grow personal skills and expand creative practice.
Note: This position is campus-based, requiring faculty to be on the Lakewood, CO campus as required by senior leadership at RMCAD. About RMCAD Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is an innovative, rigorous, and community-oriented global learning environment that inspires passion for critical thinking and prepares learners to be forces of change in the creative industries, our communities, and the world. RMCAD was established in 1963 by Philip J. Steele, who had a vision to provide students with a quality higher education in art and design. RMCAD continues to experience growth since its comparatively modest beginnings and now thrives on a lush, historic campus including more than 23 acres of land and 16 buildings. We are also pioneers in the online learning environment for art and design. RMCAD currently has over 2,000 students enrolled. RMCAD is dedicated to living its mission and values, specifically that “Our students come first.” The college continuously works with faculty and staff towards developing an evolving student-ready paradigm. RMCAD fosters a dynamic learning and working environment that encourages multiple perspectives, collaboration, creativity, and the free exchange of ideas. We welcome people from a multitude of backgrounds who are committed to creativity, academic excellence, innovation, civility, mutual respect, and the free and open exchange of ideas. Our Benefits: - Time Off Package including paid vacation, sick and holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Basic Life & AD&D
- Short & Long Term Disability
- 401k employer match
- Tuition Assistance
- Other Voluntary Benefits Offered
Application Required Materials - CV
- Historic and current list of courses taught in higher educational, K-12, corporate, or non-profit settings.
- Cover Letter articulating how your specific skillsets align with teaching and curricular responsibilities.
- Teaching Statement including pedagogical and teaching approaches that align with the institution's mission and values. Include how you integrate contemporary tools and emerging technologies into your workflow or curriculum to advance student engagement and success.
- 1-2 sample syllabi of course(s) taught, if applicable.
- 20 images of professional work, with image/client list uploaded as a pdf.
- 10 images of student work (if available) with image list and description uploaded as a pdf.
- Contact information for three references.
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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