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Unreal Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Steamroller Animation

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

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 ...

New

Lighthouse games

Principal Lighting Artist

Whitehouse, TX · On-site

$73.38 - $120.08/hr

As our Principal Lighting Artist, you will be the driving force behind the lighting and visual ... Deep knowledge of lighting tools and software, such as Unreal Engine, Maya, or equivalent * Strong ...

New

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and ... artistic talent. Who You Are: A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ... practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 (specifically Lumen Lighting and Sequencer)

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 ... practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 (specifically Lumen Lighting and Sequencer)

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and ... artistic talent. Who You Are: A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities ...

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 ... practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 (specifically Lumen Lighting and Sequencer)

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 ... practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 (specifically Lumen Lighting and Sequencer)

Swaybox Studios

Unreal Technical Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

The Unreal Technical Artist will work hands-on within Unreal Engine to support content integration, lighting, rendering, materials, shaders, real-time compositing, and performance optimization. This ...

New

Swaybox Studios

Unreal Technical Artist

New Orleans, LA

$122K - $146K/yr

The Unreal Technical Artist will work hands-on within Unreal Engine to support content integration, lighting, rendering, materials, shaders, real-time compositing, and performance optimization. This ...

New

2K

Lighting Director

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

... Lead Artist on at least one shipped AAA title. In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and Physically Based Rendering (PBR). Demonstrated experience ...

New

2K

Lighting Director

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

... Lead Artist on at least one shipped AAA title. In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and Physically Based Rendering (PBR). Demonstrated experience ...

New

2K

Lead Lighting Director

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

... Lead Artist on at least one shipped AAA title. In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and Physically Based Rendering (PBR). Demonstrated experience ...

New

2K

Lead Lighting Director

Novato, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

... Lead Artist on at least one shipped AAA title. In‐depth practical knowledge of Unreal Engine5, Lumen lighting tools, UE Sequencer, and Physically Based Rendering (PBR). Demonstrated experience ...

New

The Mill

Technical Artist

Manhattan, NY

$139K - $166K/yr

Lighting - Be well versed in the various lighting techniques in Unreal and instruct the artists in lighting best practices * Optimisation - Optimise content through profiling and enhancing ...

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Unreal Lighting Artist information

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$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do unreal lighting artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for unreal 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.

What does an Unreal Lighting Artist do?

An Unreal Lighting Artist specializes in creating, adjusting, and optimizing lighting within Unreal Engine to achieve realistic or stylized visual effects in games, films, or virtual productions. They work closely with other artists and designers to enhance mood, atmosphere, and readability of scenes using various lighting techniques. Their responsibilities include setting up light sources, baking lighting, troubleshooting visual issues, and ensuring performance standards are met. Mastery of Unreal Engine's lighting tools and a strong understanding of color theory and real-world lighting principles are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unreal Lighting Artist?

To thrive as an Unreal Lighting Artist, you need a strong understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and real-time rendering, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Proficiency with Unreal Engine, including its lighting tools (such as Lightmass and Lumen), and familiarity with 3D modeling software like Maya or Blender are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help artists collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and achieve project vision. These skills are crucial for creating immersive, visually compelling environments that enhance the overall quality and realism of interactive experiences.

What are some common challenges Unreal Lighting Artists face when working on large-scale game environments?

Unreal Lighting Artists often encounter challenges such as optimizing lighting setups for performance while maintaining visual quality in expansive game worlds. Balancing dynamic and static lighting, managing lightmaps, and ensuring consistency across different levels can be complex, especially when working with a large team. Collaboration with environment artists, level designers, and technical artists is essential to troubleshoot issues and implement efficient lighting solutions. Staying up-to-date with the latest Unreal Engine features and best practices also plays a crucial role in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Unreal Lighting Artist vs Environment Artist?

AspectUnreal Lighting ArtistEnvironment Artist
Primary FocusLighting setup, mood, and atmosphere in Unreal EngineCreating detailed 3D environments and assets
Skills & ToolsUnreal Engine, lighting techniques, shaders3D modeling, texturing, environment design
Work EnvironmentGame studios, VR/AR projects, real-time renderingGame studios, film, visualization projects

While Unreal Lighting Artists focus on lighting and atmosphere within Unreal Engine, Environment Artists create the detailed 3D assets and environments. Both roles often collaborate but have distinct skill sets and responsibilities in the game development pipeline.

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Cities with the most Unreal Lighting Artist job openings:

What states have the most Unreal Lighting Artist jobs?

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

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The top searched job categories for Unreal Lighting Artist jobs are:

Unreal Lighting Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unreal Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Senior Unreal Lighting Artist (Contract)

Steamroller Animation

NY • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

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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