Background Painter Jobs

Background Painter jobs are open across animation studios, film and television production, game development, and theme park design, from entry-level to senior and lead positions, with specializations in digital matte painting, traditional cel background art, and concept environment work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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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 Painter 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 Painter Jobs by Experience Level

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Background Painter 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 painter jobs.

  • Professional portfolio demonstrating finished background paintings and environment work
  • Proficiency in Photoshop and at least one animation or compositing software
  • Understanding of perspective, color theory, and cinematic lighting principles
  • Experience matching a production's established visual style and color palette
  • Ability to work within production schedules and incorporate director or art director feedback
  • Knowledge of how backgrounds integrate with character animation and compositing pipelines

Tips for Your Background Painter Job Search

Show process, not just finished work

Background painter hiring decisions hinge on seeing how you think spatially and handle light. Include work-in-progress screenshots or timelapse breakdowns in your portfolio so art directors can evaluate your method, not just your final output.

Tailor your reel to the studio's style

Animation studios vary widely in visual language. Before you apply, study the show's backgrounds and match your portfolio submission to that aesthetic. A painterly feature reel won't land at a studio known for flat graphic design, even if the craft is strong.

Apply early to roles that fit

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

List your software stack precisely

Hiring coordinators filter resumes by tool. Specify every application you work in, including Photoshop, TVPaint, Harmony, and any 3D packages you use for reference or layout. Vague entries like 'Adobe Suite' won't surface your resume in targeted searches.

Prepare a leave-behind that travels well

Many background painter positions are filled after a brief portfolio review meeting. Have a PDF or private link ready that loads quickly, displays color accurately, and doesn't require a login. Art directors share it internally before a callback.

Ask about production pipeline in the interview

Questions about how backgrounds move from layout to final composite signal professional fluency. Ask whether backgrounds are painted over 3D rough-outs, what color-correction happens downstream, and how revision rounds are handled on the specific production.

Background Painter Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most background painters?

The most active employers for background painters right now are Peraton, Northwestern Mutual, and ADC LTD NM, and the most openings are in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Production volume at major studios and streaming-driven animation slates tend to drive the bulk of active hiring at any given time.

How many background painter jobs are remote?

About 26% of background painter openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the shift toward distributed production pipelines in animation and game development. Digital matte painting and concept environment work tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions tied to physical production or studio-based show pipelines are more likely to require on-site presence.

How do you become a background painter?

Start by building a strong foundation in traditional painting, perspective drawing, and color theory, either through a formal animation or fine arts program or through structured self-study. Develop a focused portfolio of environment and background work that demonstrates range across lighting conditions and moods. Seek out short-film collaborations, student productions, or freelance projects to gain credits. Apply to entry-level background or color-assist roles at smaller studios to build production experience before moving to larger houses.

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

Yes, some studios hire junior or apprentice background painters who show strong foundational skills even without professional credits. The portfolio matters far more than a resume at the entry level. Personal projects, student films, and unpaid short-film contributions all count if the work demonstrates a clear grasp of perspective, light, and painterly execution. Smaller studios, regional animation houses, and indie game teams are the most practical first targets.

What does the background painter interview process look like?

Most studios begin with a portfolio review, either asynchronous or as part of an initial call with an art director or recruiter. If your work advances, expect a paid or unpaid art test asking you to paint a background in the studio's visual style from a rough layout or composition sketch. A final interview typically involves the art director or production designer reviewing the test, discussing your process, and asking how you handle revision feedback and production deadlines.

Where can I find and apply to background painter jobs?

You can find and apply to background painter jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each listing. No intermediary step is required between finding a role and submitting your application.

See All 150+ Background Painter Jobs

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

Find Background Painter Jobs