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Cg Lighting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Netflix

CG Artist, Experimental - INK

Los Angeles, CA

$62.74/hr

Position Summary We are seeking CG Experimental Artists to join our pioneering team creating ... Experience with creating and animating assets (terrains, layout, characters, control-rigs, lighting ...

Netflix

CG Artist, Experimental - INK

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$62.74/hr

Position Summary We are seeking CG Experimental Artists to join our pioneering team creating ... Experience with creating and animating assets (terrains, layout, characters, control-rigs, lighting ...

Netflix

CG Artist, Experimental - INK

Los Angeles, CA

$62.74/hr

Position Summary We are seeking CG Experimental Artists to join our pioneering team creating ... Experience with creating and animating assets (terrains, layout, characters, control-rigs, lighting ...

Netflix

CG Artist, Experimental - INK

Los Gatos, CA

$62.74/hr

Position Summary We are seeking CG Experimental Artists to join our pioneering team creating ... Experience with creating and animating assets (terrains, layout, characters, control-rigs, lighting ...

SharkNinja

Associate Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... lighting, color, texture, casting references, and overall visual tone. Create graphic style guides ... Partner with producers, directors, DPs, editors, designers, motion teams, CG/VFX artists, stylists ...

SharkNinja

Associate Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA

... lighting, color, texture, casting references, and overall visual tone. Create graphic style guides ... Partner with producers, directors, DPs, editors, designers, motion teams, CG/VFX artists, stylists ...

New

Apple

Art Director, Motion Design

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

... and lighting. Proven ability to develop original motion concepts and prototype them hands-on ... deep CG production environments. Curiosity with utilizing emerging technologies in the design ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$4.0K - $4.6K/wk

... lighting, and effects, to maintain artistic consistency and elevate the quality of every frame ... CG animated feature films a plus * Demonstrated ability to develop visual ideas from initial ...

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All JobsCg Lighting JobsCg Lighting Jobs in California

Cg Lighting information

See California salary details

$12

$21

$31

How much do cg lighting jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for cg lighting in California is $21.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is CG lighting?

CG Lighting refers to the process of adding and manipulating light sources within computer-generated (CG) environments for visual effects, animation, and digital imagery. Lighting artists use specialized software to simulate realistic or stylized lighting scenarios, enhancing mood, depth, and realism in 3D scenes. Their work is essential for defining the look and feel of animated films, video games, and visual effects in live-action movies. CG Lighting involves technical and artistic skills, including an understanding of color, composition, and the behavior of light.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CG lighting artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CG Lighting Artist, you need a strong understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and digital art, often supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and rendering engines like Arnold or V-Ray is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills are valuable soft skills that help artists achieve visually compelling results. These abilities are critical for creating realistic and aesthetically pleasing scenes that elevate the overall quality of visual projects.

What are some typical challenges CG lighting artists face when working on complex scenes, and how can they address them?

CG Lighting Artists often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic vision with technical limitations, managing render times, and ensuring consistency across shots. Complex scenes with multiple light sources or intricate environments can lead to increased rendering costs and unexpected visual artifacts. To address these issues, artists frequently collaborate with other departments like modeling, texturing, and compositing to optimize assets and workflows. They also use efficient lighting setups, render layers, and compositing techniques to achieve the desired look while staying within production constraints.

What is the difference between Cg Lighting vs Lighting Designer?

AspectCg LightingLighting Designer
CredentialsOften requires technical training or certification in lighting technologyTypically holds a degree in lighting design, architecture, or related field
Work EnvironmentWorks with lighting software, technical equipment, and in studio or on-siteWorks on conceptual design, client meetings, and on-site installations
Industry UsageCommonly employed in film, theater, and digital media projectsPrimarily involved in architectural, theatrical, and event lighting projects

While Cg Lighting focuses on technical aspects and digital lighting creation, a Lighting Designer emphasizes creative design and aesthetic planning. Both roles require a strong understanding of lighting principles, but their focus areas and work environments differ significantly.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Cg Lighting jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cg Lighting job openings:

Cg Lighting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cg Lighting job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 25% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,688 per year, or $21 per hour.

Associate CG Generalist (Contractor)

Favorited

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$4.5K - $5.5K/mo

Contractor

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Associate CG Generalist
Location: Santa Monica, CA or Remote
Employment Type: Project-Based Contractor
Level: Associate
Company: favorited
About favorited
At favorited, we believe that digital communities should be more than just spaces to watch content. Our platform is a place to connect, engage, and play, and empowers creators by enhancing audience participation and fostering deeper connections.
Our work culture is intense and isn't for everyone. But, if you're a self-starter eager to shape the future of social interaction with a team that holds itself to the highest standards, this is the place for you. We value open, yet respectful communication and real-time feedback to help each other grow quickly. If you're passionate about gaming and have a knack for gamifying everyday life, you'll thrive in our fast-moving, collaborative environment.
About the Role
We're looking for an Associate CG Generalist to join our team on a project basis and help create high-quality CG content for mobile-first experiences.
You'll be responsible for taking shots from concept and previs through final delivery, working across cinematography, modeling, texturing, animation, FX, and compositing. We're looking for a T-shaped artist-someone with a strong specialty who is also capable of jumping across disciplines to get a project over the finish line.
The ideal candidate is technically curious, creatively driven, and enjoys solving challenging visual problems. You don't need to be an expert in everything, but you should be someone who can figure things out, move quickly, and have fun making great work.
Responsibilities
  • Assemble and complete CG shots from start to finish in a mobile-first aspect ratio.
  • Develop previsualization and camera work, including composition, framing, timing, and cinematography.
  • Support 3D modeling and texturing for a variety of visual styles and assets.
  • Create and refine animation with strong timing and visual storytelling.
  • Develop basic FX and simulations to enhance shots and create dynamic visual moments.
  • Composite final shots and deliver polished visual content using Copernicus, Nuke, DaVinci Resolve or similar tools.
  • Work across Unreal Engine and Houdini as part of the CG production pipeline.
  • Collaborate with sound designers to ensure visual effects, animation, and audio work together as a cohesive experience.
  • Work closely with artists, art direction, and other creative partners to develop and execute visual concepts.
  • Troubleshoot technical and creative challenges throughout the production process.
  • Take ownership of assigned projects and deliver high-quality work within timelines.
What We're Looking For
  • Experience working as a CG Generalist, 3D Artist, VFX Artist, or similar role.
  • Ability to take a shot from start to finish, even if your strongest skill is in one particular discipline.
  • A T-shaped skillset: deep expertise in at least one area with working knowledge across other parts of the CG pipeline.
  • Experience with Unreal Engine, Houdini, and Nuke.
  • Understanding of mobile-first composition and the ability to create work designed for phone aspect ratios.
  • Strong fundamentals in cinematography, animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, FX, and compositing.
  • Ability to work independently, solve problems, and learn new tools quickly.
  • Strong creative instincts and an eye for detail.
  • A portfolio or reel demonstrating finished work and personal creative projects.

Important: We are not looking for Maya- or Cinema 4D-focused artists. Our primary tools are Unreal Engine, Houdini, and Nuke.
What Stands Out
  • A clear area of specialization-such as look development, cinematography, FX, animation, or lighting-combined with strong generalist capabilities.
  • Experience working in fast-paced VFX, animation, gaming, or commercial environments.
  • Experience with Blender.
  • Strong understanding of different CG workflows and the ability to be software-agnostic when solving creative problems.
  • Someone who can look at a challenging shot and figure out how to make it work.
  • Strong personal projects that demonstrate curiosity, experimentation, and creative ambition.
  • Experience creating content for mobile, gaming, livestreaming, or internet-native experiences.
  • Someone who brings strong creative taste and can elevate the work beyond simply executing a brief.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a highly capable, software-agnostic CG generalist who can jump into an unfamiliar challenge and figure it out. You might have a particular strength in cinematography, look development, animation, or FX, but you're comfortable getting your hands dirty across the entire pipeline.
You're someone who can make the shot work-and ideally, make it better than we could have imagined ourselves.
Compensation & Engagement
Engagement: Project-based contractor
Compensation: $4,500 - $5,500 / month
Where You'll Work: This is a hybrid position based in Santa Monica, with in-person collaboration required as needed.

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