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Full Time Animation Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Swaybox Studios

Lead 3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

VFX Supervisor and CG Supervisor Employment Type: Full Time Why join Swaybox Studios? Swaybox ... Animation, Lighting, and Compositing. * Create accurate rotomation of CG character rigs to match ...

Canoo

3D Visualization Artist

Justin, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • PTO

This position is full-time in-office. Candidates must reside within Dallas TX or have a reasonable ... Use Maya and Redshift Render for stills, animation, lighting, and shading * Data preparation of CAD ...

TheLab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$225K/yr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

thelab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

TheLab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

Konami Gaming, Inc

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering ... Work Environment: * Full-time / 40+ hours per week. Must be flexible to work overtime, including ...

KONAMI GAMING INC

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV

$116K - $139K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering ... Work Environment: * Full-time / 40+ hours per week. Must be flexible to work overtime, including ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$135K - $142K/yr

Monitor the needs of rigging, animation, and design to ensure clear characters in game Maintain a clear and consistent workflow under an established schedule Work closely to FX and Lighting artists ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

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Full Time Animation Lighting Artist information

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$5

$29

$37

How much do full time animation lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time 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 full time animation lighting artist do?

A Full Time Animation Lighting Artist is responsible for creating the lighting and mood in animated films, TV shows, or video games. They use digital tools to simulate how light interacts with characters and environments, ensuring that scenes are visually appealing and support the story. This role involves close collaboration with other departments, such as modeling, texturing, and compositing, to achieve the director’s vision. Lighting artists also balance technical and artistic requirements, optimizing scenes for rendering while maintaining visual quality.

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

To thrive as a Full Time Animation Lighting Artist, you need strong artistic vision, understanding of color theory, and experience with lighting techniques, usually supported by a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and rendering engines like Arnold or RenderMan is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and collaboration skills help artists achieve visually compelling results and work effectively with production teams. These capabilities are essential for producing high-quality, emotionally resonant animations that meet project requirements and deadlines.

What are some common challenges animation lighting artists face when working on feature films or TV series?

Animation Lighting Artists often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic vision with technical constraints, managing tight production deadlines, and ensuring consistency across large sequences or shots. Collaboration with other departments, like modeling, texturing, and compositing, is crucial to address issues like render times, color accuracy, and scene continuity. Staying adaptable and receptive to feedback is essential, as directors and supervisors may request multiple iterations to achieve the desired mood and storytelling impact.

What is the difference between Full Time Animation Lighting Artist vs Character Animator?

AspectFull Time Animation Lighting ArtistCharacter Animator
Primary FocusLighting and shading of animated scenesCreating and animating character movements
Skills & ToolsLighting software (e.g., Maya, Houdini), shading techniquesAnimation software (e.g., After Effects, Maya), character rigging
Work EnvironmentVFX studios, animation houses, game developmentAnimation studios, game companies, film production
CredentialsDegree in Animation, VFX, or related field; portfolioDegree in Animation, Fine Arts, or related; portfolio

The main difference is that a Full Time Animation Lighting Artist specializes in lighting and shading animated scenes to enhance visual storytelling, while a Character Animator focuses on bringing characters to life through movement and performance. Both roles require a strong understanding of animation principles and industry-standard software, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Full Time Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Full Time 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:

Full Time Animation Lighting Artist jobs near you

Lead 3D Tracking Artist

Swaybox Studios

New Orleans, LA • On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Why join Swaybox Studios?
Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves' 6th and Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you'll help bring bold creative visions to life through hands-on artistry and performance. This is your chance to be a part of a production that's equal parts innovative and unforgettable.
Lead 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist
Location: New Orleans, LA - Onsite
Studio: Swaybox Studios
Department: VFX
Reports To: VFX Supervisor and CG Supervisor
Employment Type: Full Time
Why join Swaybox Studios?
Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves' 6th & Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you'll play a key role in supporting the artistry and coordination that bring bold visions to life. This is your chance to help guide a production that's equal parts innovative and unforgettable.
Job Summary:
Swaybox Studios is seeking an experienced Lead 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist to guide the artistic and technical execution of our Tracking department while remaining hands-on throughout production. In addition to solving complex tracking challenges, you'll mentor artists, establish departmental best practices, review work for quality and consistency, and collaborate closely with the VFX Supervisor, Production, and Technical Directors to ensure successful delivery.
This role will also provide leadership for distributed teams, helping coordinate work across both in-house artists and external vendors when applicable. You'll ensure consistent quality, clear communication, and adherence to production standards regardless of where the work is being completed.
You'll help bridge the gap between live-action footage and CG integration by extracting precise camera, object, and performance data from filmed plates, ensuring that environments, puppets, and digital elements align seamlessly within our hybrid production pipeline.
The ideal candidate combines exceptional tracking expertise with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, thriving in an environment where collaboration, innovation, and creative excellence go hand in hand.
This is a studio-based role working onsite in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the Tracking / Matchmove department by providing artistic and technical direction, mentoring artists, reviewing work, and maintaining the department's quality standards.
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and constructive feedback to both in-house artists and remote or outsourced vendor teams, ensuring consistent artistic quality, technical accuracy, and adherence to production expectations.
  • Coordinate external vendor work when applicable by reviewing deliveries, communicating actionable feedback, and partnering with Production to ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
  • Perform complex 3D camera, object, and facial tracking using live-action plates with or without lidar scans, witness cameras, or on-set measurements.
  • Establish and maintain tracking best practices, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across the department.
  • Solve highly challenging shots through a combination of automated and hand-keyed techniques when standard solutions are insufficient.
  • Deliver production-ready camera solves, object tracks, rotomation, STMaps, and other tracking deliverables for Layout, Animation, Lighting, and Compositing.
  • Create accurate rotomation of CG character rigs to match puppet and performer movement when required.
  • Review artist work, identify opportunities for improvement, and help troubleshoot difficult technical or creative challenges.
  • Partner closely with the VFX Supervisor, Technical Directors, and Production to prioritize work, identify risks, and keep the department aligned with production schedules.
  • Collaborate with Pipeline and Technical Directors to improve tracking workflows, develop new tools, and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
  • Create and maintain departmental documentation, workflow standards, and onboarding materials that support consistent quality across the team.
  • Champion a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement by encouraging knowledge sharing, mentoring teammates, and leading by example.
  • Maintain momentum in a fast-paced production environment while balancing quality, efficiency, and evolving production priorities.
Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as a Matchmove, Tracking, or Layout Artist in feature film, episodic, or high-end VFX productions.
  • Previous experience leading artists, supervising sequences, or serving as a departmental lead on a production.
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating work across in-house teams and remote or outsourced artists while maintaining consistent quality, communication, and production standards.
  • Expert understanding of matchmoving principles, including camera solving, lens distortion, focal lengths, rolling shutter, parallax, film back calculations, and real-world camera behavior.
  • Expert proficiency with 3DEqualizer and Autodesk Maya.
  • Strong experience tracking environments, props, and facial performances using KeenTools or comparable technologies.
  • Experience producing high-quality rotomation for character animation pipelines.
  • Working knowledge of Nuke to create slap comps and validate tracking solutions prior to downstream handoff.
  • Strong understanding of cinematic language, layout principles, camera operation, and on-set data acquisition workflows.
  • Exceptional troubleshooting skills with a proven ability to solve technically challenging shots under tight production deadlines.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to mentor artists, provide clear feedback, and collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance hands-on production work alongside leadership responsibilities.
  • Ability to remain calm and solutions-focused while navigating shifting priorities and helping the team successfully manage the dynamic pace of feature production.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with PFTrack, Syntheyes, MMSolver, or other industry-standard tracking software.
  • Familiarity with performance capture, photogrammetry, lidar processing, and witness camera workflows.
  • Working knowledge of animation, rigging, and stylized character performance pipelines.
  • Experience collaborating with Technical Directors to improve tracking tools and production workflows.
  • Scripting experience using Python, PySide, PyQT, or MEL for workflow automation and internal tool development.
  • Experience with ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) or similar production management software.
  • Experience supporting hybrid productions that combine live-action, puppetry, CG animation, and visual effects.

At Swaybox Studios, we believe that great storytelling comes from diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, talents, and identities.
We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Swaybox Studios also complies with applicable Louisiana laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are dedicated to fostering a creative, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.
At Swaybox Studios, we believe that great storytelling comes from diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, talents, and identities.
We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Swaybox Studios also complies with applicable Louisiana laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are dedicated to fostering a creative, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.

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