Background Designer Jobs

Background designer jobs are open across animation studios, game development, film and television, and advertising agencies, from entry-level to senior and art director levels, with specializations in 2D environments, concept art, and visual development. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles150+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerPeraton
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Work type74% On-site
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 150+ Background Designer jobs

Outside Sales Representative – Automotive Aftermarket (Tire Shop Background Preferred)
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New 14h ago
Outside Sales Representative – Automotive Aftermarket (Tire Shop Background Preferred)
Orange Electronic
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Account Management
Inside Sales
Sales
$46k - $63k/yr
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Aircraft Structures (Sheet Metal, Structural Mechanic Background) Instructor/Trainer
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Added 1d ago
Aircraft Structures (Sheet Metal, Structural Mechanic Background) Instructor/Trainer
GP Strategies Government Solutions
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania
Corporate Training
Higher Education
Teaching & Instruction

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Front Desk Receptionist (Bilingual Spanish/English) (MA background) (Northeast Medical Office)
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Added 1d ago
Front Desk Receptionist (Bilingual Spanish/English) (MA background) (Northeast Medical Office)
Jonathan B Levyn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$18 - $20/hr
On-Site

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Administrative Staff Specialist - #W2536 (Div. of Business Operations/Office of Background Investigations) -
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Added 1d ago
Administrative Staff Specialist - #W2536 (Div. of Business Operations/Office of Background Investigations) -
Department of Social Services
Henrico County, VA
Community & Nonprofit Services
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
$59k - $71k/yr
Military encouraged

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26ft box truck Furniture delivery and assembly DRIVER/HELPER needed MUST PASS BACKGROUND
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Added 1d ago
26ft box truck Furniture delivery and assembly DRIVER/HELPER needed MUST PASS BACKGROUND
ILTS LOGISTICS LLC
Grand Prairie, Texas
Logistics & Fleet Management
Supply Chain
Warehouse Operations
$800 - $1,200/yr
On-Site

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Background Designer Jobs by Experience Level

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Background Designer Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Peraton12
  • Northwestern Mutual8
  • ADC LTD NM5
  • Mangone Law Firm5
  • CACI International4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance
  • Government & Public Sector
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in background designer jobs.

  • Professional portfolio demonstrating strong background design and environment illustration skills
  • Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and at least one animation or compositing software
  • Understanding of perspective, color theory, lighting, and atmospheric depth in 2D environments
  • Experience working within a production pipeline alongside directors, art directors, and animators
  • Ability to interpret style guides and match an established visual language across scenes
  • Bachelor's degree in animation, illustration, fine arts, or a related field preferred

Tips for Your Background Designer Job Search

Tailor your portfolio to the studio

Animation studios, game developers, and film productions look for very different background styles. Organize your portfolio into separate sections by medium so a hiring manager sees immediately that your work matches what their team produces.

Show your process, not just finals

Many background designer job listings specifically ask for process work, including rough sketches, value studies, and color script iterations. Including these alongside polished finals signals that you can collaborate on a production pipeline, not just deliver isolated pieces.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists background designer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Highlight software fluency in your resume

List every relevant tool you use professionally, including Photoshop, Harmony, TVPaint, Clip Studio Paint, and any compositing or 3D software. Studios filter applicants by tool proficiency early, and a vague 'proficient in Adobe Suite' won't pass that screen.

Research the studio's visual language first

Before your interview, study the produced backgrounds in a studio's recent projects. Being able to reference specific color choices, perspective styles, or atmospheric techniques in conversation shows genuine familiarity with their work rather than a generic interest in the company.

Negotiate start date around project cycles

Many background designer roles are tied to production schedules, so studios can be flexible on start dates between projects. If a standard offer timeline doesn't work, asking for a delayed start date during pre-production is often accepted without affecting compensation.

Background Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most background designers?

The companies hiring the most background designers right now include Peraton, Northwestern Mutual, and ADC LTD NM, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Animation studios and game development companies account for the majority of active postings.

How many background designer jobs are remote?

About 26% of background designer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader changes in how animation and visual development studios staff their teams. Freelance-to-hire and contract roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while staff positions at larger studios more often require on-site or hybrid presence.

How do you become a background designer?

Start by building a strong foundation in traditional drawing, perspective, and color theory, then apply those skills digitally using software like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint. Study the background art of productions you admire to understand how style guides work. Assemble a focused portfolio, pursue internships or entry-level production assistant roles at studios, and build toward more senior background work from there.

Can you get hired as a background designer with little experience?

Yes, but your portfolio carries more weight than your resume at the entry level. Studios hiring junior background designers look for strong fundamentals, evidence that you can match a given visual style, and some familiarity with production workflows. Personal projects, student films, and unpaid or volunteer animation work can all substitute for professional credits when your craft is clearly demonstrated.

What does the background designer interview process look like?

Most studios begin with a portfolio review, either asynchronously or during a video call with an art director. If your work advances, expect a paid or unpaid art test asking you to create a background in the studio's style. Final rounds typically involve conversations with the production team about workflow, revision processes, and your ability to interpret creative direction.

Where can I find and apply to background designer jobs?

You can find and apply to background designer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from studios and production companies across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and style, and apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 150+ Background Designer Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Background Designer Jobs