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Full Time Animation Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

3D Artist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

... scene by lighting and texturing the product, and then add animation to show how the product ... The 3D Artist position is a full-time role, with competitive salary, full employee medical benefits ...

3D Artist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

... scene by lighting and texturing the product, and then add animation to show how the product ... The 3D Artist position is a full-time role, with competitive salary, full employee medical benefits ...

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

As a 3D Artist, you will craft characters, environments, and educational 3D motion graphic ... Retargeting character animation using mocap data; * Scene Layout and Lighting in Unity; * Creating ...

2D Animator

Austin, TX · On-site

$34.13/hr

Animation Supervisor * Classification: Non Exempt, Full Time Employee * Location: To be considered ... artists and directors. * Experience working within tight deadlines while maintaining a high level ...

Technical Artist III- UI/UX (REMOTE)

OR · Remote

$126K - $151K/yr

Technical Artist III- UI/UX (REMOTE) Salary Range: Salary Minimum: [[salaryMin]] Salary Maximum ... lighting, materials, animations, animation rigs, skinning and VFX with Realtime engines like Unity ...

Technical Artist

Manhattan, NY

$139K - $166K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of art and animation pipelines in general ... Lighting - Be well versed in the various lighting techniques in Unreal and instruct the artists in ...

Technical Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$139K - $166K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of art and animation pipelines in general ... Lighting - Be well versed in the various lighting techniques in Unreal and instruct the artists in ...

Senior Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$69.09 - $86.35/hr

Monitor the needs of rigging, animation, and design to ensure clear characters in game • Maintain ... Keen eye to form, lighting, colors and composition * Very strong portfolio showing high quality ...

Bachelor's Degree in 3D animation or 3D art/ game design (with animation skills) Training and ... Lighting o Scene dressing o Prefab basics o Rendering image sequences in game engine Portfolio:

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Full Time Animation Lighting Artist information

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

As of Aug 14, 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 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 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 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:

Visiting Assistant Professor, Game Design & Technical Art

New York Institute of Technology

Old Westbury, NY

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Overview

New York Institute of Technology's six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide.

The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than 120,000 alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals. Together, the university's community of doers, makers, healers, and innovators empowers graduates to change the world, solve 21st-century challenges, and reinvent the future.

For more information, visit nyit.edu.

New York Tech's School of Architecture and Design seek a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor for the Department of Digital Art and Design, in Game Design and Technical Art to join its expanding academic programs. The successful candidate will teach a diverse student body across undergraduate and graduate courses and a total of 21 EHLs during the academic year. Candidates are expected to teach at the New York City and Old Westbury campuses. The department is seeking a candidate with strong professional game industry experience who can help build and strengthen the Game Design concentration through technical art, real-time production, and industry-facing student portfolio development. This position is intended to support Digital Art students who are developing skills in 3D production, animation, game design, real-time engines, and emerging creative technologies, and help prepare them for technical artist and related roles in the game industry.  The successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development, student mentoring, recruitment, retention, industry partnerships, committee service, and the future growth of the department.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will teach courses in game design, technical art, real-time production, interactive media, and related areas. Teaching areas may include game design fundamentals, level design, game production, Unity, Unreal Engine, Houdini for game art and technical art, 3D asset creation and integration, procedural workflows, lighting, materials, shaders, rigging, animation systems, scripting for artists, AI-assisted creative workflows, XR, and portfolio development.

The candidate will help students develop stronger, more competitive, industry-ready work and portfolios for technical artist and related game industry career pathways. They will also support student showcases, game jams, collaborative projects, alumni and industry engagement, and the continued growth of the Game Design concentration.

Qualifications

The minimum degree requirement is an MFA, MS, MA, or equivalent terminal/professional degree in a related field.

A minimum of three to five years of relevant professional experience in the game industry, technical art, real-time production, or a closely related field is strongly preferred. Prior teaching experience at the college level is preferred. Candidates with significant industry experience, strong communication skills, and demonstrated ability to mentor, train, or lead creative/technical teams are preferred.

Candidates must have artistic, creative, design, and technical backgrounds, with experience in game design, technical art, real-time production, and game development pipelines. They must be able to bridge art and technology and help students understand how visual design, 3D assets, animation, lighting, materials, shaders, optimization, and interaction come together inside professional game production workflows.

Technical knowledge and proficiency with Unity and/or Unreal Engine is required. Knowledge of additional industry-standard tools and workflows is preferred, including Maya, Blender, Houdini, ZBrush, Substance, Adobe Creative Cloud, Cinema 4D, Nuke, motion capture, procedural tools, scripting, shaders, generative AI and AI-assisted creative workflows, and other commonly used software in game development and real-time production.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate an ability to guide students who come from digital art, 3D production, animation, motion graphics, or design backgrounds and help them translate those skills into game industry-ready technical art portfolios.

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a teaching philosophy, a description of their research and/or creative practice, names and contact information of three references, and samples of professional and student work to be considered for an interview.

Other Information

New York Institute of Technology offers numerous opportunities to enhance personal and professional growth and provides employees with a competitive compensation and benefits program inclusive of  generous paid time off, holidays, tuition remission, and retirement plans with employer contributions.

New York Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

In compliance with local legislation as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, the annual base salary range for this position is listed. New York Tech considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience/expertise, education/training, key skills, geographic location, internal peer equity as well as market, organizational considerations and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement when extending an offer.

Minimum SalaryUSD $70,000.00/Yr.Maximum SalaryUSD $70,000.00/Yr.Employment Type: OTHER