Full Time Jobs
Runners
Freelance Opportunities

RUNNER

Location: Chicago, IL

Objective:

Optimus is looking for sharp, motivated, friendly, and hard-working individuals to join our Client Service department as a Runner. The ideal candidate should have a passion for advertising/production/post-production/film/TV/media/art and a desire to actively engage and learn in a professional environment. You will work primarily as Client Service support with the opportunity to shadow the creative process and grow with hands-on Client Service work. This is a great opportunity for an aspiring entry-level candidate to progress with the possibility of advancing to departmental internships, assistant positions, and beyond. We offer ample opportunities to advance your path and jumpstart your career.

Candidates should apply with a cover letter and resume.

Responsibilities/Expectations:

As a Runner, you work directly with Client Service to ensure our clients receive the utmost attentiveness and the facilities reflect our attention to detail and care. Daily Client Service duties include aiding clients and employees and being generally available to take care of various requests throughout the day. In addition, you will be acting as a front-of-house receptionist to welcome guests. You will also be responsible for disinfecting frequently touched surfaces throughout the day.

Primary Duties:

  • Daily support of the Client Service department, employee needs, and client requests.
  • Act as a liaison between clients and employees and field general business inquiries.
  • Facilitating ordering and pick-up of all client and employee meal/drink requests.
  • Constantly disinfect common areas multiple times throughout the day.
  • Continuously discover and implement proactive projects throughout the day.


Qualities we are looking for:

Flexibility. With the current ever-evolving work model, we are looking for candidates that are able to adapt quickly and embrace new challenges.

Eager to Learn More. With ample opportunities for upward growth within the company, we value candidates that are hungry to learn. Receptiveness to new information and drive to listen and learn is essential in the role.

Team-oriented. Teamwork is essential to the success of the Client Service department. We are looking for candidates that are actively working for a higher purpose and value the collective efforts of others.

Minimum Requirements. Candidates should:

  • Have a degree (or similar professional experience), no longer in school, and available to work full-time, in-person.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
  • Ability to take initiative and must have the confidence to learn in a fast-paced environment.
  • Integrity, honesty, openness, and a willingness to operate as a team player.


    • Employment Status/Benefits:

  • Location: Chicago.
  • Employment status is non-exempt (hourly) and pays $15/hr.
  • The position will start with a two (2) week trial period, to confirm that the fit is a good one for both parties.
  • The position will report to the Director of Client Service.
  • This position is fully in-person.
  • Your shift will be 8 hours per day with a 30-minute lunch.


    • Company Summary:

    Optimus is a leading commercial post-production company based in Chicago that represents a diverse team of award-winning editors, artists, designers, and engineers. We deliver top-notch commercial work and branded content. Together with production division One at Optimus, we offer all production services from shoot through post, under one roof - a singular, streamlined creative force.

    Instructions:

    Please send your cover letter & resume to .


    Optimus and One at Optimus are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. Employees must stay up to date with vaccines. The CDC states (CDC Covid-19 Vaccinations), "Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible."


    Today's creative community requires flexibility. Dependable freelance talent allows us to take on jobs when we are already busy, and take on jobs that demand extra help beyond what we have available. We love building relationships with talented creatives and we are happy to bring in people who help us deliver amazing work to our clients.
    • Audio Engineer
      • Optimus is searching for an experienced Freelance Audio Engineer. Necessary experience includes remote recording, broadcast mixing, and strong familiarity with the advertising post-production process. This includes recording voiceover talent with client supervised sessions, mixing commercial projects for broadcast and web, and working with editors through finish to deliver the project.

      Qualifications

      ● Expert knowledge of Pro Tools, iZotope RX Suite, and other industry standard plugins and software.
      ● Minimum of three years experience
      ● Reel or website with completed projects
      ● Remote recording experience with Source Connect, Session Link, and other industry standards
      ● Past experience creating broadcast and on-line video mix deliverables.
      ● Great team player, and a friendly client-facing demeanor



      Optimus is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
    • 2D/3D Motion Designer
      • Applicants with 2-5 years of professional experience in design and animation are preferred. Students and entry-level artists should steer their portfolios to our internship program.

      Proficiency in After Effects and/or Cinema 4D is a must. Maya, Real Flow or Final Cut experience is a bonus. Show us your talents by sharing your [required] online reel. Don't be shy about your specific strengths - alert us to your prowess in character animation, typography, photo-real CGI, etc. You must be able to work quickly and take direction from Optimus leaders and clients. While we love meeting new people, we'd much rather rely on (and continue to call on) people we like and trust. Divas need not apply. Please include your general day rate and any other considerations you think may apply.



      Optimus is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
    • Styleframe Artist
      • Applicants with 2-5 years of professional experience in concept art and storyboarding are preferred.

      We are looking for people who are able to help tell a "story" with a single image or a short series of images. An online portfolio is required. Because many of our clients are telling "brand" stories, you must be able to find creative ways to showcase the artistic side of a brand. Artists should be able to work independently or remotely, but on occasion on-site work might be required. Please be specific about how you prefer to work, about when you are comfortable showing works-in-progress, and your general pace for turning around work. Artists should be expected to work quickly and to take direction from Optimus leaders. Please include your rates and any other considerations you think may apply.



      Optimus is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
    • Assistant Editors
      • We are always looking for talented Assistant Editors, to join our team on a freelance basis.

      Applicants with 2-4 years of professional experience working as an Assistant Editor within a commercial post-production facility are preferred. Proficiency in Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere and After Effects is a must. Students and entry-level candidates should steer their inquiries to our runner program.

      Duties include assisting Assistant Editors and Editors alike, on all manner of creative editorial projects, primarily for agency/brand clients. Responsibilities include transcoding multiple HD file formats, logging and loading of dailies footage, screening, rough cutting, graphic creation and integration, music and sound design acquisition, web encoding/posting, finish prep, and fostering close communication with Editors, post producers and other post operators regarding project workflow, schedule and priorities. Client service and rapport is also a crucial part of the job.

      In sum, the position requires the ability to multi-task, deliver under pressure, communicate effectively and to work collaboratively within a team. A positive attitude and a sense of humor go a very long way too.

      Please submit cover letter, resume and reel to:

      Please note: Freelance terms vary greatly depending on the current project workload and staffing needs.

      Optimus is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

    DESIGNER

    Location: Chicago, IL

    Objective:

    Optimus Design is looking for a dedicated, passionate artist to join our team as a Designer. The ideal candidate should have a working knowledge of After Effects and the main components of design/animation and also have an intense desire to expand those skills in a professional environment. You will work closely with other designers and animators in creating visually compelling projects for a wide range of agency and brand clients.

    Primary Duties:

    • Create dynamic, original, and inspired animated elements to be integrated into edited videos.
    • Work alongside other animators, designers, VFX artists, and others involved in the entire post-production process.
    • Collaborate within project files as well as in meetings, brainstorms, and discussions of the overall project scope.
    • Take the lead on smaller jobs when our project load demands independence. Don’t worry, senior artists are here to help if needed!


    Additionally, our Designers can expect to:

    • Shadow our senior artists - and ask questions! We do not want any barriers to learning. You should feel comfortable asking about processes and techniques, even opening projects and looking at how we do what we do!
    • Share your perspectives/opinions - We value feedback and we know that more input always beats less. Working individually can, at times, become so focused that we can’t see the bigger picture. If you have an idea on how to improve our animation workflow, a suggestion for an alternate software package, rendering resource, etc, please speak up!
    • Listen in on client calls/Join client Zooms. This is critically important at Optimus as we pride ourselves on client service, and we know every successful project begins by truly listening for what the client wants to achieve.
    • Join us as we collaborate throughout the building. Meet the editors, assistants, audio engineers, colorists, etc. and learn how they contribute to our projects and/or how we support their work.
    • Learn even more. Utilize our professional accounts for tutorials and training in areas that you have never explored or in software that you hope to improve.


    Qualities we are looking for:

    • Self-Awareness. It takes a healthy ego and a good amount of courage to want to create something from nothing. But none of us are experts. We’re always learning. Knowing your limitations and asking for help and guidance is not a flaw, it's a sign of confidence in your own growth path.
    • Generosity of Spirit. Share your knowledge and put your learning into action. If you learned a tutorial, turn it into a 5 second piece and share it with all of us. If you open one of our projects, show us what you learned, or ask us procedural questions like “why did you do it THIS way?”
    • Curiosity. We are creative professionals. Let's always remember which of those words come first: creative. If you have a chance to walk down some tangential path that yields something unexpected, do it! We have often been surprised at how detours on one project become clear paths on the next.


    Minimum Requirements. Candidates should:

    • Have a degree (or similar professional experience) in a relevant media field, i.e., Animation, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Film Production, etc.
    • Must possess a working knowledge of After Effects as a primary tool of animation
    • Some experience with 3D packages and software (Cinema 4D, Redshift, Blender, Maya.) is a plus..
    • Additional abilities in the Adobe Suite as a base for Design (Photoshop, Illustrator) and Editing (Premiere) or other relevant tools is a plus.
    • A hunger and passion for animation, and curiosity in the art of animation even when outside of the computer (i.e., everything from supervising VFX, animating in stop-motion, hand-drawn animation, etc.)
    • Have excellent communication skills
    • Be open to constructive criticism
    • Have a “client comes first” attitude
    • Be a team player


    The Details:

    • Location: Chicago
    • Employment status is non-exempt (hourly).
    • This is a flexible hybrid position.
    • The position will report to the Creative Director.
    • General hours are from 9am to 6pm, Monday-Friday, but flexible as projects demand.
    • Full Benefits package includes:  Medical, Dental, Vision, fully funded life Insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
    • Matching 401k, Commuter Benefits, Paid Holidays, Vacation, Wellness Days, etc.
    • Optimus has a hybrid working environment, with a flexible mix of remote (work from home) and in-office work.  This position would begin with in-office onboarding and then settle into the hybrid work model, with in-office expectations varying depending on client-facing needs, collaboration and mentoring factors.
    • At Optimus, the health and safety of our staff and guests is paramount and our Optimus Covid Safety Protocols are ongoing and responsive to the evolving health guidance of local, state and federal entities.

    Instructions:

    Candidates should be familiar with the work shown at design.optimus.com and apply with cover letter and resume to

    Company Summary:

    Optimus is a leading production and post-production house located in Chicago. A true one stop shop, Optimus offers a full suite of creative services, including production, editing, color correction, visual effects and design, audio mixing and finishing.

    Optimus is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

    EDITORIAL POST PRODUCER

    Location: Chicago, IL

    Objective:

    Optimus is looking for an experienced, engaged, and driven individual to join our editorial/post team as a Producer. This is a mid-level position for someone who has 2-4 years of hands-on producing experience in the commercial post-production field, editorial focus is a bonus. Looking for immediate hire.

    Primary Duties:

    Duties include detailed project management–producing editorial/post projects from beginning to end. The Producer is the point person every step of the way, from internal collaboration to client communication. The depth and breadth of these responsibilities include managing and coordinating all of the following along the project cycle: bidding, scheduling, awarding, editorial project management, finish post project management (Color, Design, VFX, Finish and Audio Record/Mix), final delivery and actualization of job.

    Position involves working in close collaboration with our entire Producer team, as well as all internal creative (Editors, Artists, Designers, Mixers, Assistants) and support teams (Sales, Engineering, Accounting and Client Services).

    Client-facing communication is a crucial part of the role, and professionally representing Optimus and the interests of our staff is imperative.

    Qualities we are looking for:

    The position requires the ability to multi-task in an organized fashion, re-prioritize on the fly, and deliver under pressure. An attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the ability to troubleshoot while maintaining a great attitude and a cool-head are a must. Effectively collaborating with one’s peers and the entire internal team is key, as is exhibiting a positive client facing demeanor.

    Having the presence of mind to take the work seriously, but not yourself, and a solid sense of humor goes a long way too.

    Minimum Requirements. Candidates should:

    • Have producing experience of 2-4 years within the commercial post-production field.
    • Have a degree (or similar professional experience) in a relevant media field, i.e., Communications, Post Production, Film Production, Advertising, etc.
    • Be computer literate in Microsoft and Google software platforms. Familiarity with Enterprise/MediaPulse scheduling/bidding software is a plus.
    • Be engaged, eager to learn and have a passion for Post-Production and Advertising.
    • Be an excellent communicator.
    • Be detail-oriented, diligent, organized, responsive, reliable and quick to execute.
    • Be open to constructive criticism.
    • Have a "client comes first" attitude.
    • Be a team player.

    Employment Status:

    • Location: Chicago
    • Employment status is exempt (salary).  Competitive salary will be commensurate with the experience of the chosen candidate.
    • Full Benefits package includes:  Medical, Dental, Vision, fully funded life Insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
    • Matching 401k, Commuter Benefits, Paid Holidays, Vacation, Wellness Days, etc.
    • The position will report to the EP/Managing Director.
    • General hours are from 9am to 6pm with a 40-hour work week, Monday-Friday, but may vary based on workload and project demands.
    • Optimus has a hybrid working environment, with a flexible mix of remote (work from home) and in-office work.  This position would begin with in-office onboarding and then settle into the hybrid work model, with in-office expectations varying depending on client-facing needs, collaboration and mentoring factors.
    • At Optimus, the health and safety of our staff and guests is paramount and our Optimus Covid Safety Protocols are ongoing and responsive to the evolving health guidance of local, state and federal entities.

    Instructions:

    Candidates should be familiar with the work shown at www.optimus.com and apply with cover letter and resume to

    Company Summary:

    Optimus is a leading commercial post-production company based in Chicago that represents a diverse team of award-winning editors, artists, designers and engineers, and that delivers top-notch commercial work and branded content. Together with production division One at Optimus, we offer all production services from shoot through post, under one roof - a singular, streamlined creative force. 

    Optimus welcomes and encourages all applicants who bring along diverse life experiences, backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives to apply. Optimus and One at Optimus is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

    General Employment Info


    We are always on the lookout for creative talent who want to do the best work of their careers in the greatest city in America, Chicago.

    Experienced professionals looking to introduce themselves to us may do so by emailing .