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Senior Lighting Compositing Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

The Compositing Artist is responsible for creating the final seamless image by integrating live ... Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ...

TheLab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The Compositing Artist is responsible for creating the final seamless image by integrating live ... Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ...

thelab

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY

The Compositing Artist is responsible for creating the final seamless image by integrating live ... Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create ...

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

Swaybox Studios

Compositing Supervisor

New Orleans, LA

$16.50 - $22.75/hr

You will work closely with artists and Technical Directors to refine and develop tools that support ... Understanding of lighting workflows. * Experience in Python scripting for Nuke or batch automation ...

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 ...

IMEG

Lighting Project Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Manage smaller to middle-size projects and collaborate with senior lighting design team members ... Education and Experience * Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in ...

thelab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions ... Collaborate with modeling, texturing, compositing, and production teams throughout the creative ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions ... Collaborate with modeling, texturing, compositing, and production teams throughout the creative ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions ... Collaborate with modeling, texturing, compositing, and production teams throughout the creative ...

IMEG

Lighting Project Designer

Chicago, IL

Manage smaller to middle-size projects and collaborate with senior lighting design team members ... Education and Experience * Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in ...

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Senior Lighting Compositing Artist information

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How much do senior lighting compositing artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior lighting compositing 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 is a senior lighting compositing artist?

Senior Lighting Compositing Artists are experienced professionals in the visual effects, animation, or film industries who specialize in creating and integrating lighting and compositing elements for digital scenes. They use software to simulate realistic lighting, enhance mood, and blend computer-generated imagery (CGI) with live-action footage. Their work is crucial in achieving the desired look and feel of a shot or sequence, ensuring visual consistency and high-quality final output. They also mentor junior artists and collaborate closely with other departments to achieve the director's vision.

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

To thrive as a Senior Lighting Compositing Artist, you need advanced knowledge of lighting, shading, and rendering principles, often supported by a degree in visual effects, computer graphics, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Maya, Nuke, Houdini, and proficiency with render engines like Arnold or RenderMan are typically required. Strong artistic sensibility, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills help deliver visually compelling and cohesive final shots. These abilities are crucial for creating high-quality imagery that meets creative briefs and production deadlines in film, animation, or game environments.

What are the most common challenges faced by senior lighting compositing artists when working on large-scale projects?

Senior Lighting Compositing Artists often encounter challenges such as managing complex scene files, ensuring visual consistency across shots, and balancing creative vision with technical limitations. On large-scale projects, they must coordinate closely with other departments like modeling, texturing, and animation to ensure seamless integration of elements. Additionally, tight deadlines and the need for iterative feedback require strong organizational and communication skills. Successfully navigating these challenges is key to delivering high-quality, visually compelling final shots.

What is the difference between Senior Lighting Compositing Artist vs Lighting Artist?

AspectSenior Lighting Compositing ArtistLighting Artist
CredentialsExperience in compositing, VFX, and lighting softwareFocus on lighting design, shading, and rendering skills
Work EnvironmentAdvanced compositing and integration tasks in post-productionPre-visualization and setup of lighting in 3D scenes
Industry UsageCommon in VFX-heavy projects, film, and high-end commercialsPrimarily in animation, gaming, and pre-rendered content

The Senior Lighting Compositing Artist specializes in integrating lighting effects during post-production, combining multiple elements seamlessly. In contrast, a Lighting Artist primarily focuses on creating and setting up lighting within 3D environments during the production phase. Both roles require a strong understanding of lighting principles, but they differ in workflow stage and technical focus.

What cities are hiring for Senior Lighting Compositing Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Lighting Compositing Artist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Lighting Compositing Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Lighting Compositing Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Lighting Compositing Artist jobs include:

Senior Lighting Compositing Artist jobs near you

Compositing Artist

TheLab

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:
The Compositing Artist is responsible for creating the final seamless image by integrating live-action footage with computer-generated (CG) elements, matte paintings, visual effects, and digital enhancements. As the final stage of the CGI production pipeline, this role combines artistic vision with technical precision to produce photorealistic, high-quality visuals that meet creative and client expectations.
Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled production ecosystem, the Compositing Artist collaborates closely with CGI artists, lighting artists, supervisors, and production teams to ensure consistency across every deliverable. This role leverages emerging technologies and efficient production workflows while maintaining the highest standards of visual quality and technical accuracy.
Key Responsibilities:
2D/3D Integration
  • Seamlessly integrate multi-pass CGI renders (including AOVs such as beauty, specular, reflection, depth, shadow, and utility passes) with live-action footage.
  • Ensure continuity in lighting, shadows, reflections, perspective, and atmosphere to create photorealistic final imagery.
  • Blend CGI, matte paintings, and practical elements into cohesive visual compositions.

Keying & Extraction
  • Extract high-quality mattes from green screen and blue screen footage while preserving fine details such as hair, motion blur, transparency, and edge fidelity.
  • Refine keys and composites to achieve clean, production-ready results.

Digital Prep & Clean-Up
  • Perform advanced paint work including wire removal, rig removal, marker cleanup, clean plate generation, and image restoration.
  • Utilize tracking, cloning, and paint techniques to remove production artifacts while maintaining image integrity.

Tracking & Matchmoving
  • Apply 2D, planar, and 3D tracking techniques to accurately integrate digital assets into moving footage.
  • Utilize industry-standard tracking tools, including Mocha and Nuke's built-in tracking systems, to support stable and accurate composites.
  • Collaborate with tracking teams to resolve complex camera movement challenges.

Atmospheric & Visual Effects Enhancement
  • Enhance shots through the integration of atmospheric effects including dust, smoke, haze, depth cues, lens flares, light wraps, grain, and environmental effects.
  • Ensure all enhancements support the realism and creative direction of each project.

Color & Technical Consistency
  • Maintain strict adherence to color management pipelines, including ACES and OCIO workflows.
  • Match color, exposure, white balance, grain, and overall image characteristics across multiple sources.
  • Ensure technical consistency throughout production while delivering photorealistic imagery.

Cross-Department Collaboration
  • Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to optimize the compositing process.
  • Communicate rendering requirements, AOV needs, and technical adjustments that improve downstream production efficiency.
  • Support the continued evolution of HOME by identifying opportunities where AI-assisted workflows and automation can improve compositing efficiency while maintaining creative and technical excellence.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Visual Effects, Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 3+ years of professional compositing experience in advertising, VFX, animation, or digital production.
  • Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and photographic realism.
  • Deep understanding of digital photography, lens behavior, perspective, and visual continuity.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting production deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working within commercial advertising, retail, e-commerce, or creative production environments.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted production workflows and emerging visual effects technologies.
  • Experience with advanced color management workflows (ACES, OCIO).
  • Knowledge of scripting or workflow automation (Python preferred).
  • Experience working alongside CGI, lighting, and pipeline development teams.

Technical Skills:
Compositing Software
  • Foundry Nuke
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Blackmagic Fusion (preferred)

Tracking & Matchmoving
  • Mocha Pro
  • Nuke Tracking
  • 3D Camera Tracking
  • Planar Tracking

CGI & Production
  • Multi-pass compositing (AOVs)
  • Keying
  • Rotoscoping
  • Paint & cleanup
  • Matte extraction
  • Color grading
  • Digital photography principles
  • Render pass integration

Color Management
  • ACES
  • OCIO
  • Linear workflow
  • HDR imaging

Emerging Technologies
  • AI-assisted compositing workflows
  • Workflow automation
  • Familiarity with HOME AI production tools

Success in This Role:
A successful Compositing Artist will:
  • Deliver seamless, photorealistic composites that combine live-action footage and CGI into compelling final imagery.
  • Maintain exceptional technical accuracy while preserving the creative vision of each project.
  • Collaborate effectively across CGI, lighting, production, and creative teams to ensure efficient project delivery.
  • Continuously refine workflows by embracing emerging technologies and production innovations.
  • Contribute to the ongoing evolution of HOME by supporting scalable, AI-enabled production processes that enhance efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of visual quality.

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