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Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · On-site

$118K - $185K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Lighting Artist to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. You will report to and work closely with our ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Lighting Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$118K - $185K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Lighting Artist to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. You will report to and work closely with our ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions for digital assets across a wide range of client projects. Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled ...

thelab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions for digital assets across a wide range of client projects. Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions for digital assets across a wide range of client projects. Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled ...

thelab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY

Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and photographic realism. * Deep ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and photographic realism. * Deep ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and photographic realism. * Deep ...

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Lighting Artist information

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$30.5K

$129.5K

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How much do lighting artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for lighting artist in the United States is $129,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do I become a lighting artist?

To become a lighting artist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in art, computer graphics, or a related field, along with strong skills in 3D modeling, rendering, and lighting techniques. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine is essential, and building a portfolio showcasing lighting work is highly recommended. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in game or film production can also help establish a career in this field.

What does a lighting artist do?

As a Lighting Artist, your daily responsibilities typically include setting up and adjusting lighting rigs, refining the mood and atmosphere of digital scenes, and collaborating with other departments such as modeling, texturing, and compositing to achieve the desired visual effect. You will review feedback from art directors or supervisors and update scene lighting to meet project goals and maintain visual consistency. Additionally, troubleshooting rendering issues and optimizing lighting setups for performance are common tasks. The role often involves a mix of creative and technical problem-solving, making versatility and attention to detail crucial for success.

How much do lighting artists make?

Lighting artists typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior lighting artists or those working on high-profile projects can earn higher salaries, especially with specialized skills in software like Maya or Unreal Engine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lighting artist?

To thrive as a Lighting Artist, you need a strong understanding of light, color theory, composition, and visual storytelling, typically supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard 3D software such as Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, or proprietary rendering tools is essential, and certification in these tools can be advantageous. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication skills help Lighting Artists work seamlessly with artists, designers, and technical teams. These combined abilities ensure the creation of visually compelling scenes that meet both artistic vision and technical requirements in fast-paced production environments.

What is a lighting artist?

A Lighting Artist is responsible for creating and implementing lighting setups that enhance the mood, atmosphere, and visual quality of scenes in films, video games, or animations. They work with 3D environments, adjusting light sources, shadows, and color tones to achieve artistic and realistic effects. Their role involves collaborating with other artists, such as modelers and texture artists, to ensure consistency in visual storytelling. Lighting Artists also optimize lighting for performance while maintaining high-quality visuals.

Are lighting artists in demand?

Lighting artists are in demand in the entertainment and gaming industries, as they play a key role in creating realistic and visually appealing environments. The demand is driven by the growth of 3D rendering, visual effects, and real-time graphics, requiring skills in software like Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine. Job opportunities often require a strong portfolio and proficiency in lighting techniques and tools.
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Lighting Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Senior Lighting Artist

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, MA • On-site

$118K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Company Description
To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers - this is our mission. As a driven team of talented professionals from all around the globe, we want to earn our place as one of the world's top video-game developers, push narrative boundaries, and build unforgettable stories that set and redefine the standards for the genre.
Job Description
CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Lighting Artist to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. You will report to and work closely with our Lead Lighting Artist, and the cinematic and environment teams to craft unified compositions, visual clarity and help drive action.
We are looking for someone with a proven fluency in the language of lighting and understands how important it is to the finished product.
Daily Responsibilities
  • Work both independently and collaboratively to create an optimal lighting pipeline for the project.
  • Daily work in lighting missions, open world and cinematic spaces.
  • Collaborate in the creation of color scripts as necessary.
  • Create workflows and best practices for the lighting team.
  • Keeping artistic style consistent with defined visual style for the game.
  • Work with design to develop mission and environmental flow as needed.
  • Work with leads and Production to estimate and plan work.
  • Work closely with technical artists to develop new or improved techniques.
  • Write and prepare briefs for work with outsource vendors, review work as necessary.
  • Mentor other Lighting artists, and help build an environment of creativity, trust and excellence.

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as a lighter in games.
  • Ability to work independently and both drive and manage tasks to deliver results.
  • An understanding of both real-time and baked lighting.
  • Solid portfolio demonstrating expertise.
  • Strong knowledge of lighting tools and pipelines in UE5.
  • Strong knowledge of direct and indirect light, luminance and color theory.
  • Clear understanding and ability to evaluate and translate game and narrative beats into lighting scenarios.
  • Ability to clearly communicate in a cross-functional working environment, and comfortable sharing ideas and feedback in ways that support the team and project.
  • Ability to deliver and receive feedback in a productive and accountable manner.

Nice-to Have
(Please note these skills are not required to apply for the job)
  • General 3d modeling skills.
  • Experience in practical lighting for film.

Candidates should include a portfolio or website with examples of their work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Additional Information
The application window for this position will close by 09/017/2026.
This job requires working in Boston, US.
Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.
Health & Well-Being
  • Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental).
  • Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and a variety of well-being webinars.
  • Paid leave - 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
  • 401k with employer matching.
  • Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) - $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
  • Menstrual leave - employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain.
  • RED Parents Network - support for working parents, including childcare benefits, and family-friendly events.

Perks & Professional Growth
  • Flexible working hours.
  • Trainings, lectures, and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available.
  • A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office
  • Dog-friendly office - bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There's always a furry friend or two to meet.
  • Truly international working environment - a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
  • No dress-code - we like to keep it casual.

This position is a backfill.
Estimated pay range for this position: $118,200 - $185,100 USD annually
At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.
If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.
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