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Lighting Environments Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$130.60K - $156.30K/yr

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures, shaders and lighting environments to create realistic renders. * Construct Reality - Create and maintain the ...

Senior Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$130.60K - $156.30K/yr

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures, shaders and lighting environments to create realistic renders. * Construct Reality - Create and maintain the ...

Skilled in replicating physically accurate lighting environments in 3D * Understanding of PBR rendering and optimizations using Arnold or similar engines * Experience working within an established ...

Skilled in replicating physically accurate lighting environments in 3D * Understanding of PBR rendering and optimizations using Arnold or similar engines * Experience working within an established ...

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Lighting Environments information

See salary details

$44.5K

$61.2K

$72K

How much do lighting environments jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for lighting environments in the United States is $61,249.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Lighting Designer, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, spatial design, and a relevant degree or experience in architecture, interior design, or theatrical design. Proficiency with lighting design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or DIALux, as well as knowledge of lighting control systems, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you collaborate with clients and project teams to realize their vision. These skills ensure visually appealing, functional, and efficient lighting solutions that meet both aesthetic and technical project requirements.

What are the most common challenges faced by professionals working in Lighting Environments, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Lighting Environments frequently encounter challenges such as balancing aesthetic goals with technical limitations, adapting to rapidly evolving lighting technologies, and ensuring compliance with safety and energy efficiency standards. Collaborating closely with architects, engineers, and project managers is essential to integrate lighting solutions seamlessly into broader design projects. Staying updated on the latest industry trends and participating in ongoing training can help address these challenges and foster innovation in lighting design.

What are Lighting Environments?

Lighting Environments refer to the design, setup, and management of lighting in a given space or for specific purposes, such as in film, theater, architecture, or virtual simulations. Professionals working in Lighting Environments create visually appealing, functional, and mood-appropriate lighting schemes using various technologies and techniques. Their work enhances visibility, sets the atmosphere, and can influence how people perceive and interact with a space or scene. This role often involves collaboration with designers, directors, or architects to achieve the desired effect.

What is the difference between Lighting Environments vs Lighting Designers?

AspectLighting EnvironmentsLighting Designers
CredentialsTypically requires knowledge of lighting systems, basic certifications, and technical skillsOften requires formal education in lighting design, architecture, or related fields, plus certifications
Work EnvironmentWork in various settings like commercial, industrial, or outdoor environments focusing on installation and maintenanceWork in design studios, client sites, and architectural projects focusing on conceptual and aesthetic lighting design
Industry UsageUsed across industries for lighting installation, maintenance, and technical supportUsed primarily in architecture, interior design, and theatrical projects for creative lighting solutions

Lighting Environments focus on the technical aspects of lighting installation and maintenance across various settings, while Lighting Designers concentrate on the creative and aesthetic aspects of lighting in architectural and theatrical projects. Both roles are essential but serve different functions within the lighting industry.

More about Lighting Environments jobs
What cities are hiring for Lighting Environments jobs? Cities with the most Lighting Environments job openings:
What job categories do people searching Lighting Environments jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lighting Environments jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lighting Environments job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 55% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 44% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,249 per year, or $29.4 per hour.

Senior Lighting Artist

Scattermesh

Herndon, VA • On-site

$130.60K - $156.30K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Scattermesh is a fast-paced small company looking to disrupt, transform, and innovate on behalf of our clients. We are inventors, technologists, artisans, problem solvers, and collaborators seeking to redefine the content experience by changing how content is managed and delivered to clients. We have an amazing team and we want to add a few talented revolutionaries who want to make a difference solving hard problems. Create your story and start making an indelible impact today.
Job Summary
Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire Senior 3D Lighting artists to work across client projects on a full time basis on-site in Herndon, VA. The role requires a skilled artist with strong understanding of lighting and rendering photorealistic images of primarily organic characters. The ideal candidate will have experience lighting scenes from photo reference and should have a strong understanding of customizing shaders to replicate real interactions between surfaces and light.
Responsibilities and Duties
  • Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures, shaders and lighting environments to create realistic renders.
  • Construct Reality - Create and maintain the overall look, color, and quality across multiple sequences to create storylines.
  • Collaborate - Work with artists, leads, and supervisors to understand day to day production needs and push pipeline solutions.
  • Mentor - Elevate the performance and skills of your team by providing helpful critique and spreading your knowledge.

Qualifications and Skills
  • 10+ years' experience as a 3D artist or relevant portfolio
  • Mastery of artistic fundamentals - scale, composition, perspective, proportion, mass and volume, light and color, and surface properties
  • Strong understanding of real-world lighting and photography, exposure, color grading, lens and camera behavior and HDR workflows
  • Mastery of standard art packages such as Maya, Arnold, Substance / Adobe Painter, etc
  • Mastery of look development and lighting for photorealistic renders, including human skin, eyes, teeth and hair.
  • Skilled in replicating physically accurate lighting environments in 3D
  • Deep understanding of PBR rendering and optimizations using Arnold or similar engines and familiarity working with render farms.
  • Experience developing tools and automations with Python a plus
  • Experience working within an established studio pipeline and file structure
  • Is self-motivated and self-reliant
  • Must have a learning mind-set
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • US citizenship required

Benefits and Perks
Scattermesh is as obsessed about our employees as our customers. We want to provide great benefits and perks so you can focus on making an impact. We recognize that industry is moving away from better benefits so we have decided to do our part to start reversing the trend. Join us in our quest to disrupt, transform and innovate.
Benefits
  • Competitive Market Leading Pay
  • 25-30 days - Paid Time Off (PTO) / Holiday
  • 100% Company paid medical/dental/vision/plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401(k) Matching with no cliff vest