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Unreal Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VFX Artist

Houston, TX

$150K - $165K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative VFX Artist to produce high-quality visual effects ... Experience with Unreal Engine preferred * Strong understanding of rendering, lighting, and ...

Senior Technical Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... lighting * Desire and knowledge of how to push Unreal Engine further * Desire to work with a team ...

Expression of Interest - Technical Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $163K/yr

Partner with artists to troubleshoot technical challenges related to assets, lighting, rendering ... Strong experience working in Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5). * Proficiency with one or more DCC tools such ...

This role is for a software engineer specializing in Unreal Engine (C++), not a designer or artist ... Enhance realism and fidelity (lighting, shadows, materials, environmental effects) Required ...

Senior 3D Artist: Imerza is a digital twin and architectural visualization studio built on Unreal ... Unreal Engine 5: Lumen, Nanite, PCG, and real-time rendering pipelines. * Deep real-time lighting ...

Staff Environment Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Create high-quality realtime environments in Unreal Engine * Build modular environment palette ... Own scene assembly, composition, lighting, and environmental storytelling * Collaborate closely ...

Senior Technical Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Contribute to improving Unreal Engine material pipelines and best practices What we're looking for ... lighting, or VFX EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE Our intent is to cover all things that are ...

We are looking for a Senior 3D Artist with deep UE5 production experience who can own complex tasks ... Unreal Engine 5: Lumen, Nanite, PCG, and real-time rendering pipelines * Deep real-time lighting ...

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist Department: Imerza Employment Type: Full Time Location: Imerza ... Unreal Engine 5: Lumen, Nanite, PCG, and real-time rendering pipelines * Deep real-time lighting ...

Technical Artist

Eugene, OR · On-site +1

$127K - $152K/yr

Unreal experience is a must; Unreal 5 a benefit. A focus on animation support from rigging to ... Understanding of "artistic concepts," e.g. modeling, lighting, and shading. Ability to assess ...

Using Unreal Engine 5 , you will work with particle systems, shaders, Blueprints, materials, and ... Strong understanding of 3D art fundamentals, including modeling, lighting, and rendering as they ...

Technical Artist

Eugene, OR · On-site +1

$70K - $82K/yr

Unreal 5 a benefit. • A focus on animation support from rigging to pipelines to tools for ... lighting, and shading. • Ability to assess sometimes contradictory technical and artistic needs ...

Showing results 41-60

Unreal Lighting Artist information

See salary details

$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do unreal lighting artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 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.

More about Unreal Lighting Artist jobs

What cities are hiring for Unreal Lighting Artist jobs?

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:

What job categories do people searching Unreal Lighting Artist jobs look for?

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

Infographic showing various Unreal Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

VFX Artist

Ht Visions

Houston, TX

$150K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative VFX Artist to produce high-quality visual effects that integrate seamlessly with live-action and digital environments. The ideal candidate has strong artistic ability, technical expertise, and experience working within professional production pipelines.
Key Responsibilities
 • Create and implement high-quality VFX for film and digital productions
 • Composite CGI elements with live-action footage
 • Develop simulations (smoke, fire, particles, fluids, environmental effects)
 • Collaborate with directors, editors, and post-production teams
 • Ensure lighting, rendering, and compositing consistency
 • Meet production deadlines while maintaining high standards
 • Optimize workflows and troubleshoot technical challenges
Required Qualifications
 • 2+ years of professional VFX experience
 • Strong demo reel/portfolio required
 • Proficiency in: Maya, Houdini, Nuke, After Effects, Cinema 4D
 • Experience with Unreal Engine preferred
 • Strong understanding of rendering, lighting, and compositing
 • Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills
 • Python or scripting knowledge
 • Experience in feature film or streaming productions
 • Photorealistic rendering experience
What We Offer
 • Competitive salary: $150,000 – $165,000
 • Creative, collaborative work environment
 • Growth and advancement opportunities
 • Comprehensive benefits package
HT Visions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.