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Trainee Animation Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Steamroller Animation

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

About Steamroller Animation It's different here. We're a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our ... About the role As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren't just placing lights; you are a visual ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

Lead Lighting Artist Novato, California, United States As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

NAUGHTY DOG, LLC

$95 - $118/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 ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

Lead Lighting Artist Novato, California, United States As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

TheLab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

thelab

CGI Lighting

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience. * Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.

WI · On-site

$82 - $152/hr

Senior Lighting Artist - Raven - Middleton, WI Raven Software is seeking a highly capable ... Experience in a secondary area such as environments, animation, or VFX. * Experience with basic ...

Posted today

AGBO

Sr. Cinematic Layout Artist

Raleigh, NC

You'll work closely with animation, lighting, and narrative teams to ensure every shot serves the ... Collaborate with animators, lighting artists, and designers to ensure cohesive scene composition

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Trainee Animation Lighting Artist information

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$5

$29

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How much do trainee animation lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for trainee animation lighting 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 does a trainee animation lighting artist do?

A Trainee Animation Lighting Artist is responsible for assisting in the creation and adjustment of lighting within animated scenes to achieve the desired mood, atmosphere, and visual style. They work closely with senior lighting artists and other departments to ensure that the lighting complements the storytelling and enhances the visual appeal. Trainee artists learn to use industry-standard lighting software and tools while developing their technical and artistic skills. Their work helps to bring animated characters and environments to life through effective use of light and shadow.

What are some common challenges faced by trainee animation lighting artists during their initial projects?

Trainee Animation Lighting Artists often encounter challenges such as understanding the technical requirements of different lighting software and adapting to the established visual style of a studio. Balancing artistic creativity with the need to meet tight production deadlines can also be demanding. Additionally, collaborating effectively with senior lighting artists, animators, and compositors requires strong communication skills to ensure the final look matches the director’s vision. Overcoming these challenges typically involves seeking feedback, continuous learning, and practicing flexibility within a team-oriented environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trainee animation lighting artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee Animation Lighting Artist, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and basic animation, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and rendering engines such as Arnold or RenderMan is typically expected. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills for this role. Mastering these skills ensures visually compelling scenes, efficient collaboration with production teams, and successful adaptation to the technical demands of animation projects.

What is the difference between Trainee Animation Lighting Artist vs Junior Animation Lighting Artist?

AspectTrainee Animation Lighting ArtistJunior Animation Lighting Artist
CredentialsBasic knowledge of lighting software, relevant courseworkSimilar credentials, often with some practical experience
Work EnvironmentTraining programs, supervised projectsEntry-level projects under supervision
Industry UsageInternship or apprenticeship rolesFull-time entry-level position in animation studios

The main difference is that a Trainee Animation Lighting Artist is typically in a learning or internship phase, focusing on gaining skills and experience, while a Junior Animation Lighting Artist is an entry-level professional actively working on projects with more responsibility. Both roles require similar foundational knowledge, but the trainee role emphasizes training and development.

What cities are hiring for Trainee Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Trainee Animation Lighting Artist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Animation Lighting Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Trainee Animation Lighting Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Trainee Animation Lighting Artist jobs include:

Trainee Animation Lighting Artist jobs near you

Senior Unreal Lighting Artist (Contract)

Steamroller Animation

NY • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 17 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.

  • Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.

  • Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.

Job description

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

About the role

As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren’t just placing lights; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for the final look of cinematic sequences, translating mood, atmosphere, and narrative intent into the technical reality of Unreal Engine 5.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who doesn't wait for a list of instructions but instead looks at a shot and asks, "How can I make this look even better?" You will be embedded with our client’s team, collaborating directly with their Lead/Supervising Artist, while representing the high standards of Steamroller Animation.

What you’ll do

  • Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.
  • Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.
  • Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel solutions for shots to ensure visual continuity across sequences.
  • Fine-tune light properties, surface shaders, and post-process volumes (bloom, fog, color grading) to achieve gold-standard visuals.
  • Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.
  • Work seamlessly within the client’s internal pipeline, maintaining clear communication and a solution-oriented mindset.
  • Ensure lighting setups are optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience as a Lighting Artist in video games or high-end animation (Senior to Upper-Senior level).
  • Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine 5, specifically using Sequencer and Movie Render Queue (MRQ).
  • A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, value, and composition.
  • Experience with Maya and version control systems like Perforce or GitHub.
  • Ability to take direction from a Lead/Art Director and translate feedback into beautiful visuals.
  • This role is remote but requires significant overlap with USEastern Time (EST) working hours to collaborate effectively with the project team.
Contract & Equipment
  • Status: This is a 1099 Contract position.
  • Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware requirements will be discussed during the interview process. Any hardware upgrades required for smooth operations and performance are the responsibility of the artist.
Bonus Skills
  • Experience with Blueprints to enhance lighting or environmental effects.
  • Background in live TV, concerts, or virtual production (AR/XR).
  • Experience in a lead or mentor capacity.
  • Knowledge of secondary software like Photoshop or Nuke for LookDev.
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