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Animation Lighting Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

Lead Lighting Artist Novato, California, United States As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

Lead Lighting Artist Novato, California, United States As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

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Animation Lighting Artist information

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How much do animation lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation lighting artist in California is $28.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.42 and $32.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animation lighting artist do?

An Animation Lighting Artist is responsible for creating the lighting and shading in animated films, TV shows, or video games. They establish mood, atmosphere, and visual continuity by adjusting light sources, shadows, and reflections. Using software like Maya, Houdini, or Renderman, they work closely with the art and rendering teams to enhance scenes for storytelling. Their work ensures that characters and environments are visually appealing and convey the intended emotion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animation lighting artist?

To thrive as an Animation Lighting Artist, you need a strong grasp of lighting theory, color, composition, and computer graphics, often backed by a degree in animation, visual effects, or a related field. Expertise with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini, RenderMan, and Arnold is commonly expected, and knowledge of render pipelines is highly valuable. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail help artists collaborate effectively and achieve a director's vision. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling scenes that enhance storytelling and meet project deadlines in a team-oriented environment.

What are some typical challenges animation lighting artists face during production?

Animation Lighting Artists often encounter tight deadlines, frequent revisions, and the challenge of balancing artistic vision with technical constraints such as render times and optimization requirements. They must also collaborate closely with other team members, such as animators, compositors, and technical directors, to ensure consistency and maintain quality throughout the production process. Adaptability and problem-solving are key, as lighting needs may change based on evolving creative direction or feedback. Successfully overcoming these challenges contributes significantly to the visual storytelling and overall production value of the project.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California?

For Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Lighting Artist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Animation Lighting Artist job openings:

Animation Lighting Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Lighting Artist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 20% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 73% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,753 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Senior Lighting Artist (Contingent)

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions.  Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

This is a hybrid / onsite position.  

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us. 

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be using our proprietary lighting tools to achieve captivating lighting schemes for characters and environments. As a part of the Naughty Dog legacy, you'll become a part of continuing the development of extraordinary and enduring experiences for a broad, global range of audiences.

What you will do:

  • Develop lighting schemes for characters and environment working closely with Directors and the Concept Art team.
  • Collaborate with the Level Lighting team to establish smooth integration of in-game cinematics with gameplay.
  • Collaborate with multiple departments to determine that the in-game cinematics run within the memory budget without sacrificing the look.
  • Work with outsource vendors and lighting artists, collaborating on visual looks, tech, training, and workflows both giving and receiving feedback
  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

  • A minimum of 7 years' experience in Games or Animation/VFX/Film
  • Has shipped a AAA game or equivalent
  • Excellent understanding of direct/indirect light, color-theory, exposure, contrast
  • Outstanding understanding of shading/materials and the relationship with lighting
  • Excellent artistic skills to interpret concept art and color keys to recreate the mood and atmosphere in a game environment
  • Demonstrated expertise in industry standard software such as Autodesk Maya
  • Excellent understanding of color grading with proficiency in industry standard software such as Nuke, Fusion, Resolve
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a dedicated attention to details
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work with minimal direction
  • Ability to work under pressure while completing time-sensitive projects

Bonus Skills: (Optional)

  • Experience with real time engines
  • Experience with generating light-maps, pre-lighting or baked lighting
  • Experience with scripting

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.

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