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Game Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · On-site

$118K - $185K/yr

Keeping artistic style consistent with defined visual style for the game. * Work with design to ... Mentor other Lighting artists, and help build an environment of creativity, trust and excellence.

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

Keeping artistic style consistent with defined visual style for the game. * Work with design to ... Mentor other Lighting artists, and help build an environment of creativity, trust and excellence.

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$118K - $185K/yr

Keeping artistic style consistent with defined visual style for the game. * Work with design to ... Mentor other Lighting artists, and help build an environment of creativity, trust and excellence.

Epic Games

Lead Environment Concept Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $135K/yr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... Collaborate closely with environment art, level design, lighting, VFX, and gameplay teams to ensure ...

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Game Lighting Artist information

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$37K

$123.1K

$196K

How much do game lighting artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for game lighting artist in the United States is $123,136.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $170,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Game Lighting Artist typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

Game Lighting Artists work closely with environment artists, level designers, and technical artists to ensure that lighting not only enhances the visual appeal but also supports gameplay and narrative. They regularly attend cross-disciplinary meetings to align lighting direction with the overall artistic vision and technical constraints. Effective communication and feedback exchange are essential, as lighting can influence mood, player navigation, and performance. Collaboration tools and version control systems are commonly used to share updates and integrate changes seamlessly across the team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Lighting Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Lighting Artist, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and real-time rendering, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Proficiency with tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, Maya, and Photoshop, as well as experience with lighting and rendering systems, is typically required. Strong artistic vision, attention to detail, and effective collaboration enhance your ability to create immersive and visually appealing game environments. These skills ensure the game's atmosphere and mood are compelling, contributing significantly to player experience and the game's overall quality.

What does a Game Lighting Artist do?

A Game Lighting Artist is responsible for creating and implementing lighting in video games to enhance mood, atmosphere, and visual clarity. They work closely with other artists and designers to ensure that lighting supports the artistic direction and gameplay experience. Their tasks include setting up light sources, designing lighting schemes for different environments, and optimizing lighting for performance. Good lighting enhances realism, guides player attention, and helps tell the game's story.
What cities are hiring for Game Lighting Artist jobs? Cities with the most Game Lighting Artist job openings:
Infographic showing various Game Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,136 per year, or $59.2 per hour.
Lighting Artist, Environment (Contingent)

Lighting Artist, Environment (Contingent)

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions.  Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

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. We've been busy at the Kennel, most recently releasing The Last of Us Part I, a complete and faithful remake of the original game, rebuilt from the ground up and fully optimized for the PlayStation 5 and currently in development for PC. As a part of the Naughty Dog legacy, you'll be continuing the development of extraordinary and enduring experiences for a broad, global range of audiences.

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.

The Lighting Artist will be crafting lighting and post effects for background lighting.

What you will do:

  • Develop the lighting scheme, color-palette, post-processing-fx, and general visual mood that turns unlit 3-D environment models into exciting and visually compelling 3D game environments

  • Work with modelers and texture/shader artists to optimize the visual look and run-time performance of the Environments

  • 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:

  • 1-3 years of industry experience in Film or Games generating final picture

  • Has shipped at least one AAA game

  • Excellent competency in Autodesk Maya and knowledge of Global Illumination

  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision

  • Thorough understanding of direct/indirect light, luminance / exposure and color-theory

  • Proven work experience with generating light-maps, pre-lighting or baked lighting is desired

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.

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