Video Game Programmer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers — this is our mission. As a driven team of talented professionals from all around the globe, we want to earn our place as one of the world’s top video-game developers, push narrative boundaries, and build unforgettable stories that set and redefine the standards for the genre.

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Lighting Artist to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. You will report to and work closely with our Lead Lighting Artist, and the cinematic and environment teams to craft unified compositions, visual clarity and help drive action.

We are looking for someone with a proven fluency in the language of lighting and understands how important it is to the finished product. 

Daily Responsibilities

• Work both independently and collaboratively to create an optimal lighting pipeline for the project.
• Daily work in lighting missions, open world and cinematic spaces.
• Collaborate in the creation of color scripts as necessary.
• Create workflows and best practices for the lighting team.
• Keeping artistic style consistent with defined visual style for the game.
• Work with design to develop mission and environmental flow as needed.
• Work with leads and Production to estimate and plan work.
• Work closely with technical artists to develop new or improved techniques.
• Write and prepare briefs for work with outsource vendors, review work as necessary.
• Mentor other Lighting artists, and help build an environment of creativity, trust and excellence.

• 5+ years of experience as a lighter in games. 
• Ability to work independently and both drive and manage tasks to deliver results. 
• An understanding of both real-time and baked lighting.
• Solid portfolio demonstrating expertise.
• Strong knowledge of lighting tools and pipelines in UE5.
• Strong knowledge of direct and indirect light, luminance and color theory.
• Clear understanding and ability to evaluate and translate game and narrative beats into lighting scenarios. 
• Ability to clearly communicate in a cross-functional working environment, and comfortable sharing ideas and feedback in ways that support the team and project. 
• Ability to deliver and receive feedback in a productive and accountable manner.

Nice-to Have
(Please note these skills are not required to apply for the job)

• General 3d modeling skills.
• Experience in practical lighting for film.

Candidates should include a portfolio or website with examples of their work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered. 

The application window for this position will close by 09/017/2026.

This job requires working in Boston, US.
Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity. 

Health & Well-Being

• Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental).
• Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and a variety of well-being webinars.
• Paid leave — 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
• 401k with employer matching. 
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) – $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
• Menstrual leave — employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain.
• RED Parents Network — support for working parents, including childcare benefits, and family-friendly events.

Perks & Professional Growth

• Flexible working hours.
• Trainings, lectures, and courses — internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available.
• A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office — bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet.
• Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
• No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.

This position is a backfill.

Estimated pay range for this position: $118,200 - $185,100 USD annually

At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.

If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.

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