Type: Full Time
Location: High Point, NC
Reports to: EXCO, CXO/Director of Education, Chief Drone Pilot
Coordinates With: Stay+ Educational Specialist Team, Drone Team, Production Team, Creative Team, Sales/Marketing Team, Outside Partners
Responsibilities:
The Creative & Animation Director is a talented and technically minded animator and designer to oversee our creative team for light shows. This is a hands-on role where you’ll shape the artistic look of our performances, while also helping refine the processes and tools that bring our shows to life.
You’ll work closely with our Chief Drone Pilot, CXO/Director of Education, and other team members to ensure every animation is both visually stunning and technically sound. You’ll additionally support our educational specialist team in developing curriculum around animation for drone light shows and beyond. For the right candidate, this role can also grow into larger team leadership opportunities as our animation department expands.
- Design and develop drone light show animations for live productions.
- Collaborate with drone team to translate client concepts into compelling aerial displays
- Build and deliver precise animation files optimized for large-scale drone execution.
- Troubleshoot and optimize complex animation files to ensure seamless performance.
- Identify and implement workflow improvements to streamline production and reduce turnaround times.
- Partner with team members to test, validate, and influence the design of new animation tools and features.
- Document best practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of our creative pipeline.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all equipment, logistics, and operational requirements are met
- Travel to show locations as required
- Assist with testing, maintenance, and overall management of the drone fleet
- Support teaching, training, and onboarding of new and existing student workers
- Assist in the creation and teaching of animation curriculum
- Support training and onboarding of new and existing team members
- Provide feedback to executive leadership on operational improvements and future development needs
- Contribute insights and content ideas for drone-related social media initiatives
- Participate in internal working groups and special projects as needed
Requirements & Preferences:
- 2+ years of experience in animation software (Blender or Cinema 4D)
- Strong technical ability to manage, refine, and optimize animation files for complex productions.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
- Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure environments
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with customers and business partners
- Willingness and ability to travel, including weekends and potential international travel
- Valid driver’s license and ability to operate company vehicles if required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Interest in growing into a team lead or management role in the future
- Experience in additional animation softwares, preferred but not required
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, preferred but not required
- Experience in live entertainment, creative productions, or digital design, preferred but not required.
- Familiarity with scripting (Python, C4D scripting, Blender add-ons) or technical animation tools, preferred but not required.
- Experience developing or improving production workflows, preferred but not required
- Experience in both remote/in-person instruction (synchronous/asynchronous) preferred, but not required
- Broad knowledge of aviation and drone piloting, preferred but not required
- Familiarity with Fly Point Partners’ market, including key user groups (students, colleges, educators), preferred but not required
- Familiarity with Firefly Light Show Drones animation tool, preferred but not required
- Experience working with both in-house and remote employees or contractors, preferred but not required