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Flexible Animation Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Steamroller Animation

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

About Steamroller Animation It's different here. We're a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our ... About the role As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren't just placing lights; you are a visual ...

New

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 ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

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 ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

thelab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

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 ...

New

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 ...

New

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$118K - $185K/yr

You will report to and work closely with our Lead Lighting Artist, and the cinematic and ... Flexible working hours. * Trainings, lectures, and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing ...

AGBO

Sr. Cinematic Layout Artist

Raleigh, NC

You'll work closely with animation, lighting, and narrative teams to ensure every shot serves the ... Collaborate with animators, lighting artists, and designers to ensure cohesive scene composition

AGBO

Sr. Cinematic Layout Artist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

You'll work closely with animation, lighting, and narrative teams to ensure every shot serves the ... Collaborate with animators, lighting artists, and designers to ensure cohesive scene composition

AGBO Films LLC

Sr. Cinematic Layout Artist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

You'll work closely with animation, lighting, and narrative teams to ensure every shot serves the ... Collaborate with animators, lighting artists, and designers to ensure cohesive scene composition

thelab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to optimize the compositing process. * Communicate rendering requirements, AOV needs, and technical ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to optimize the compositing process. * Communicate rendering requirements, AOV needs, and technical ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to optimize the compositing process. * Communicate rendering requirements, AOV needs, and technical ...

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Flexible Animation Lighting Artist information

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$5

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How much do flexible animation lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for flexible animation lighting artist in the United States is $29.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a flexible animation lighting artist do?

A Flexible Animation Lighting Artist is responsible for designing and implementing lighting in animated scenes to create mood, enhance storytelling, and ensure visual consistency. They work with various software to adjust light sources, color, and shadows, collaborating closely with other departments like modeling, texturing, and compositing. The 'flexible' aspect often refers to the ability to work across different styles, projects, or even remotely, adapting to various production needs. Their work is essential in bringing animated scenes to life and achieving the director's vision.

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

To excel as a Flexible Animation Lighting Artist, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and a relevant degree or experience in animation or visual effects. Proficiency with industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and rendering engines such as Arnold or V-Ray is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills help artists interpret creative direction and work effectively within production teams. These skills ensure visually compelling scenes that support storytelling and meet project deadlines in a dynamic production environment.

What are some common challenges faced by flexible animation lighting artists, and how can they overcome them?

Flexible Animation Lighting Artists often face the challenge of balancing creative vision with technical constraints, such as rendering times and software limitations. They may also need to adapt quickly to shifting project priorities and feedback from directors or supervisors. To overcome these challenges, it's important to maintain open communication with the broader animation team, stay updated on the latest lighting tools and techniques, and be proactive in problem-solving. Collaborating closely with modelers, texture artists, and compositors helps ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the production pipeline.

What is the difference between Flexible Animation Lighting Artist vs 3D Lighting Artist?

AspectFlexible Animation Lighting Artist3D Lighting Artist
CredentialsRelevant animation and lighting certifications, portfolioSimilar certifications, focus on lighting skills
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, VFX companies, game developmentAnimation studios, VFX, game industry
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in animation, gaming, VFX projects requiring flexible lighting solutionsPrimarily in 3D modeling, rendering, and visual effects

The Flexible Animation Lighting Artist specializes in creating adaptable lighting setups for animated scenes, often working closely with animation teams. In contrast, a 3D Lighting Artist focuses on designing and implementing lighting for 3D models and environments. While both roles require similar skills and certifications, the Flexible Animation Lighting Artist emphasizes flexibility and integration within animation workflows, making it ideal for dynamic projects requiring quick adjustments.

What cities are hiring for Flexible Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Flexible Animation Lighting Artist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Animation Lighting Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Flexible Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Flexible Animation Lighting Artist jobs include:

Flexible Animation Lighting Artist jobs near you

Senior Unreal Lighting Artist (Contract)

Steamroller Animation

NY • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

About the role

As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren’t just placing lights; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for the final look of cinematic sequences, translating mood, atmosphere, and narrative intent into the technical reality of Unreal Engine 5.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who doesn't wait for a list of instructions but instead looks at a shot and asks, "How can I make this look even better?" You will be embedded with our client’s team, collaborating directly with their Lead/Supervising Artist, while representing the high standards of Steamroller Animation.

What you’ll do

  • Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.
  • Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.
  • Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel solutions for shots to ensure visual continuity across sequences.
  • Fine-tune light properties, surface shaders, and post-process volumes (bloom, fog, color grading) to achieve gold-standard visuals.
  • Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.
  • Work seamlessly within the client’s internal pipeline, maintaining clear communication and a solution-oriented mindset.
  • Ensure lighting setups are optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience as a Lighting Artist in video games or high-end animation (Senior to Upper-Senior level).
  • Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine 5, specifically using Sequencer and Movie Render Queue (MRQ).
  • A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, value, and composition.
  • Experience with Maya and version control systems like Perforce or GitHub.
  • Ability to take direction from a Lead/Art Director and translate feedback into beautiful visuals.
  • This role is remote but requires significant overlap with USEastern Time (EST) working hours to collaborate effectively with the project team.
Contract & Equipment
  • Status: This is a 1099 Contract position.
  • Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware requirements will be discussed during the interview process. Any hardware upgrades required for smooth operations and performance are the responsibility of the artist.
Bonus Skills
  • Experience with Blueprints to enhance lighting or environmental effects.
  • Background in live TV, concerts, or virtual production (AR/XR).
  • Experience in a lead or mentor capacity.
  • Knowledge of secondary software like Photoshop or Nuke for LookDev.
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