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Cg Lighting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

COSA VFX INC

Lighting Generalist

Sherman Oaks, CA · On-site

$104K - $165K/yr

This role reports to the Global Head of CG. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lighting: * Create high-quality, photo-realistic Houdini lighting setups for CG characters, environments, props, and VFX elements.

New

COSA VFX INC

Lighting Generalist

Sherman Oaks, CA · On-site

$104K - $165K/yr

This role reports to the Global Head of CG. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lighting: * Create high-quality, photo-realistic Houdini lighting setups for CG characters, environments, props, and VFX elements.

New

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 ...

SoFi

Staff Photographer, Contract

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... CG and AI tools to deliver seamless "SoFi" assets. * Operate advanced DSLR, mirrorless camera technology, and mid-level cinema and studio lighting setups. * Retouch photos and video with traditional ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/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 ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/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 ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

... CG departments by instilling clarity on required information such as pattern cuttings, fabric ... lighting and color theory * Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop * Experience working hands-on with ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

... CG departments by instilling clarity on required information such as pattern cuttings, fabric ... lighting and color theory * Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop * Experience working hands-on with ...

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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 9, 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Lighting Generalist

COSA VFX INC

Sherman Oaks, CA • On-site

$104K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description


CoSA VFX is seeking an experienced Houdini Lighting Generalist for short-term, immediate need for one of its current projects. For this 100% remote role, we're happy to hear from anyone with the legal ability to work in the US. Because this role is needed to support an already in-production project, only artists with current availability should apply. This role reports to the Global Head of CG.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lighting:

  • Create high-quality, photo-realistic Houdini lighting setups for CG characters, environments, props, and VFX elements.
  • Translate the visual goals of the CG and VFX Supervisors into efficient, consistent lighting across shots and sequences.
  • Ensure lighting setups integrate cleanly with both plate photography and full CG scenes.
  • Work with Render Wranglers and CG Supervisors to optimize render times while maintaining artistic integrity.
  • Collaborate with the Compositing team to troubleshoot lighting issues and ensure final renders support seamless integration.

Look Development:

  • Perform look development in calibrated turntable environments using studio-approved lighting setups
  • Fine-tune shaders and material properties for characters, props, and environments to achieve photoreal surface qualities
  • Maintain separation between look development and shot lighting, ensuring clean upstream handoff of shaders
  • Bonus: Ability to texture assets using tools like Substance Painter, Mari, or similar, to support the lookdev proces
  • Work with Asset and Modeling teams to ensure clean UVs and material assignments for efficient lookdev handoff

REQUIREMENTS:

  • A minimum of 3 years of experience in lighting and look development for episodic TV and/or motion pictures
  • Proficiency in Houdini and industry-standard render engines (VRay, Arnold, etc.)
  • Deep understanding of lighting principles, photographic reference, and integration techniques
  • Experience in Maya lighting a plus