WebGL Animator Job at Linkedin in Manhattan

About the Project
Our agency has been engaged to design and develop a post-purchase mobile digital experience for a major beverage brand's Summer 2027 campaign.
Activated via QR codes on specially designed cans, the experience is built to drive repeat purchases, capture first-party data, and position the brand as synonymous with summer by encouraging users to create spontaneous seasonal memories.
Technical & Platform Scope
Built as a custom front-end/UX experience, to be handed off for implementation on the client's global experience platform
Provisional Project Schedule & Planned Work
Design Phase: Oct 4th – Dec 18th
Working primarily with our Technical and Product Leads, you'll act as a key platform subject matter expert, helping ensure the team understands key technical requirements, identifies potential risks, and flags any feasibility concerns with proposed designs
Your role during this phase will be consultative, with expected hours of 10 per week
You'll be asked to attend scheduled reviews and any external requirement calls, with timing shared in advance and availability confirmed for each session
Development Phase: Jan 4th – April 2nd
You'll join the development team, lending your platform expertise to shape the technical approach and support the Tech Leads in guiding other developers through active development
Your role will be both consultative and hands-on, with desired hours of 20 per week
Key milestones and meetings will be shared in advance with availability confirmed
If you're not available for the full duration of this phase, let's still talk — we'd welcome the chance to find a way to work together
Required Qualifications
Technical Requirements
Expert-level Three.js experience, with a portfolio showing complex 3D web animations and interactive work
Strong command of WebGL, GLSL shaders, and modern JavaScript (ES6+)
Experience optimizing 3D animations for performance across devices and browsers
Solid grounding in 3D graphics fundamentals — lighting, materials, camera controls, physics, and animation loops
Proficiency with animation libraries such as GSAP, anime.js, or similar tools
Experience with React Three Fiber or other Three.js frameworks is a plus
Agency Experience (Critical)
2+ years in advertising, creative, or digital agencies building interactive campaigns and branded experiences
Demonstrated ability to turn creative briefs and design mockups into polished, production-ready 3D web experiences
Experience working alongside creative directors, designers, copywriters, and account teams in agency settings
Comfortable under tight deadlines and rapid iteration cycles
Portfolio featuring work for brand campaigns, product launches, or interactive advertising experiences
Work Requirements
Available during EST hours for real-time collaboration with internal teams and clients
Able to start immediately and commit to a focused one-month engagement
Open to hybrid work in NYC or fully remote
Strong communicator with a habit of proactive project updates
Comfortable working independently while upholding agency standards
Responsibilities
Build and animate immersive 3D experiences using Three.js and WebGL for digital advertising campaigns
Translate design concepts and storyboards into interactive, high-performance web animations
Optimize for performance, ensuring smooth frame rates across desktop and mobile
Collaborate with creative and development teams to iterate quickly on feedback
Ensure cross-browser compatibility and responsive behavior across 3D experiences
Deliver clean, well-documented code aligned with agency standards and best practices
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a seasoned WebGL animator who thrives in agency settings — someone who balances creative ambition with technical constraints, executes well under pressure, and brings a portfolio of standout 3D web work for recognizable brands. You're comfortable stepping into projects already in motion, taking direction from creative teams, and delivering polished results on compressed timelines.