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Trainee Animation Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TheLab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$225K/yr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

TheLab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

thelab

CGI Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the ...

Canoo

3D Visualization Artist

Justin, TX · On-site

Job Title 3D Visualization Artist About Canoo Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build ... Use Maya and Redshift Render for stills, animation, lighting, and shading * Data preparation of CAD ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$135K - $142K/yr

Monitor the needs of rigging, animation, and design to ensure clear characters in game Maintain a clear and consistent workflow under an established schedule Work closely to FX and Lighting artists ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

Konami Gaming, Inc

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

KONAMI GAMING INC

Technical Artist III

Las Vegas, NV

$116K - $139K/yr

Blending artistic and technical abilities, this role bridges the Art and Software teams, enabling ... Knowledge of 3D fundamentals: modeling, texturing/shading, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering.

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

RS&H

Junior 3D Visualization Artist

Tampa, FL

Foundational knowledge of 3D modeling, lighting, materials, rendering, and camera animation ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and visual storytelling * Excellent ...

RS&H

Junior 3D Visualization Artist

Tampa, FL · On-site

Foundational knowledge of 3D modeling, lighting, materials, rendering, and camera animation ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and visual storytelling * Excellent ...

RS&H

Junior 3D Visualization Artist

Tampa, FL · On-site

Foundational knowledge of 3D modeling, lighting, materials, rendering, and camera animation ... Strong artistic eye for composition, lighting, color, and visual storytelling * Excellent ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera ... Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ...

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All JobsAnimation Lighting Artist JobsTrainee Animation Lighting Artist Jobs

Trainee Animation Lighting Artist information

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$5

$29

$37

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

As of Aug 12, 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 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 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 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 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

CGI Lead

TheLab

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$225K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:
The CGI Supervisor is responsible for the technical and artistic quality of all 3D computer-generated content across production. Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the efficient execution of projects from concept through final delivery.
Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled production ecosystem, the CGI Supervisor leads multidisciplinary CGI teams while helping integrate emerging technologies that improve production efficiency, scalability, and quality. This role ensures all deliverables align with the client's creative vision, brand standards, and technical specifications.
Key Responsibilities:
Pipeline & Workflow Leadership
  • Define, maintain, and continuously optimize the CGI production pipeline to support efficient, scalable project delivery.
  • Collaborate with AI Developers, pipeline engineers, and production teams to implement workflow improvements and automation within HOME.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline rendering, asset management, and production processes through emerging technologies.
  • Ensure pipeline stability, consistency, and adherence to production standards across all CGI projects.

Team Leadership & Mentorship
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of CGI artists, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, look development, FX, and rendering.
  • Assign work based on project priorities, artist expertise, and production schedules.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing creative environment.
  • Support career development through coaching, feedback, and technical guidance.

Technical Direction & Problem Solving
  • Serve as the primary technical authority for complex CGI production challenges.
  • Troubleshoot issues involving modeling, lighting, rendering, simulations, shaders, and production workflows.
  • Work closely with technical teams to improve tools, optimize rendering performance, and reduce production bottlenecks.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to production capabilities.

Creative Direction & Quality Control
  • Oversee look development, lighting, materials, rendering, and overall visual quality across all CGI deliverables.
  • Conduct regular creative and technical reviews, providing constructive feedback to ensure consistency and excellence.
  • Maintain visual continuity across campaigns, assets, and production teams.
  • Ensure work meets client expectations, brand standards, and creative objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Creative Directors, Senior Art Directors, Production Managers, AI Developers, and Compositing Supervisors throughout the production lifecycle.
  • Establish technical standards for seamless handoffs between CGI, compositing, photography, motion, and post-production teams.
  • Define render outputs, AOVs, utility passes, and delivery specifications that support efficient downstream production.
  • Contribute to the evolution of HOME by identifying opportunities where AI-enabled workflows can enhance creative production without compromising artistic quality.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Visual Effects, Digital Arts, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 8+ years of experience in CGI, VFX, or digital production, with demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Proven expertise managing end-to-end CGI production pipelines.
  • Strong understanding of modeling, lighting, rendering, shading, animation, compositing, and asset management.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
  • Ability to balance creative excellence with production schedules and technical requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience leading teams within commercial advertising, retail, e-commerce, or creative production environments.
  • Experience implementing production pipeline improvements or workflow automation.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted production tools and emerging generative AI technologies.
  • Experience working with cloud rendering and distributed production environments.
  • Knowledge of scripting or pipeline development (Python, MEL, MaxScript, or similar).
  • Experience collaborating with software developers and technical pipeline teams.

Technical Skills:
3D Software
  • 3ds Max
  • Houdini

Rendering Engines
  • V-Ray
  • Karma

Pipeline & Production
  • Asset management
  • Look development
  • Shader development
  • Render optimization
  • Pipeline architecture
  • Workflow automation
  • Version control

Emerging Technologies
  • AI-enabled production workflows
  • Cloud rendering
  • Production automation
  • Familiarity with HOME AI capabilities

Success in This Role:
A successful CGI Supervisor will:
  • Deliver technically exceptional and visually compelling CGI that meets the highest creative standards.
  • Lead and inspire multidisciplinary CGI teams while fostering collaboration across creative, production, and technology functions.
  • Build efficient, scalable production pipelines that improve quality, consistency, and speed.
  • Champion innovation by evaluating new tools and technologies that enhance production workflows.
  • Help shape the continued evolution of HOME by integrating AI-enabled capabilities into CGI production while maintaining creative integrity and technical excellence.

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