ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Senior Lighting Artist

Santa Monica, CA

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be ...

New

Naughty Dog

Senior Lighting Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$69.09 - $86.35/hr

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be ...

New

Ht Visions

VFX Artist

Houston, TX

$150K - $165K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative VFX Artist to produce high-quality visual effects ... Ensure lighting, rendering, and compositing consistency * Meet production deadlines while ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

Senior VFX Artist We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved ... Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance ...

Gunfire Games

VFX Artist (Mid/Senior)

Austin, TX · On-site

Gunfire Games is seeking a VFX Artist (Mid-Level/Senior) to create and implement high-quality ... Strong understanding of 3D art fundamentals, including modeling, lighting, and rendering as they ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA

Senior VFX Artist _____ We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival ... Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance ...

Komodo Co., Ltd.

VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA · Remote

The Opportunity KOMODO is seeking a VFX Artist to define the visual identity of Nanos, the codename ... Familiarity with lighting, post-processing, and real-time rendering optimization * Background in ...

Komodo Co., Ltd.

VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA · On-site +1

The Opportunity KOMODO is seeking a VFX Artist to define the visual identity of Nanos, the codename ... Familiarity with lighting, post-processing, and real-time rendering optimization * Background in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All Jobsfull time JobsArts and Entertainment JobsArts JobsDigital Artist JobsFull Time Vfx Lighting Artist Jobs

Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist information

See salary details

$42K

$106K

$152K

How much do full time vfx lighting artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time vfx lighting artist in the United States is $105,989.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist vs Vfx Compositor?

AspectFull Time Vfx Lighting ArtistVfx Compositor
Primary RoleCreates and manages lighting for visual effects to match the scene's mood and environmentCombines multiple visual elements into a final shot, including compositing effects and layers
Skills & ToolsLighting techniques, shading, rendering software (e.g., Maya, Nuke), color gradingCompositing software (e.g., Nuke, After Effects), masking, rotoscoping, color correction
Work EnvironmentVFX studios, post-production houses, film and TV productionVFX studios, post-production facilities, film and TV projects

While both roles are essential in VFX production, a Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist focuses on creating realistic and artistic lighting for scenes, whereas a Vfx Compositor combines various elements to produce the final shot. They often collaborate but have distinct skill sets and responsibilities within the VFX pipeline.

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

Cities with the most Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Vfx Lighting Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist jobs include:

Full Time Vfx Lighting Artist jobs near you

Senior Lighting Artist

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

This is a hybrid / onsite position.  

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us. 

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be using our proprietary lighting tools to achieve captivating lighting schemes for characters and environments. As a part of the Naughty Dog legacy, you'll become a part of continuing the development of extraordinary and enduring experiences for a broad, global range of audiences.

What you will do:

  • Develop lighting schemes for characters and environment working closely with Directors and the Concept Art team.
  • Collaborate with the Level Lighting team to establish smooth integration of in-game cinematics with gameplay.
  • Collaborate with multiple departments to determine that the in-game cinematics run within the memory budget without sacrificing the look.
  • Work with outsource vendors and lighting artists, collaborating on visual looks, tech, training, and workflows both giving and receiving feedback
  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

  • A minimum of 7 years' experience in Games or Animation/VFX/Film
  • Has shipped a AAA game or equivalent
  • Excellent understanding of direct/indirect light, color-theory, exposure, contrast
  • Outstanding understanding of shading/materials and the relationship with lighting
  • Excellent artistic skills to interpret concept art and color keys to recreate the mood and atmosphere in a game environment
  • Demonstrated expertise in industry standard software such as Autodesk Maya
  • Excellent understanding of color grading with proficiency in industry standard software such as Nuke, Fusion, Resolve
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a dedicated attention to details
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work with minimal direction
  • Ability to work under pressure while completing time-sensitive projects

Bonus Skills: (Optional)

  • Experience with real time engines
  • Experience with generating light-maps, pre-lighting or baked lighting
  • Experience with scripting

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.

#LI-AB1

Apply