Cinematics & Lighting Artist - Talent Pool (MEA)

Side; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global video game development company in the United Arab Emirates seeks a talented professional to design and implement cinematic sequences, enhancing storytelling through lighting and visual effects. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in video game cinematics or lighting, with proficiency in Unreal Engine or Unity. Join a passionate team and contribute to top-notch game development.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in cinematics or lighting for video games, film, or animation.
• Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.
• Strong understanding of lighting techniques, color theory, and composition.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement cinematic sequences that drive storytelling.
• Create dynamic and realistic lighting setups.
• Collaborate closely with directors and animators.

Skills

Cinematics design

Lighting techniques

Unreal Engine

Unity

Team collaboration

Visual storytelling

Tools

Maya

Blender

Job description

About This Opportunity

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Our industry‑leading services include codev, art production, localization, audio production, quality assurance, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets. Help us bring stories to the world. Join Side's global team of passionate gamers and contribute to top‑notch game development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement cinematic sequences that drive storytelling and enhance emotional engagement.
• Create dynamic and realistic lighting setups to elevate the visual quality and mood of game environments and cinematics.
• Collaborate closely with directors, animators, and environment artists to ensure consistency in artistic vision and technical execution.
• Optimize lighting for performance while maintaining artistic quality across platforms.
• Use game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity to integrate cinematics and lighting into the gameplay experience seamlessly.
• Debug and troubleshoot lighting and cinematic‑related issues throughout the development pipeline.
• Stay updated on industry trends and technologies to push the boundaries of cinematic and lighting techniques in games.

Experience & Technical Skills

• 3+ years of professional experience in cinematics or lighting for video games, film, or animation.
• Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.
• Proficiency with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, including tools for cinematic and lighting implementation.
• Strong understanding of lighting techniques, color theory, and composition.
• Familiarity with post‑processing effects and rendering pipelines.
• Experience with tools like Maya, Blender, or other 3D applications for scene setup.
• Strong sense of mood, atmosphere, and storytelling through lighting and camera work.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities, with experience integrating feedback into iterative processes.
• Experience with real‑time ray tracing and global illumination technologies.
• Familiarity with visual scripting systems like Unreal Engine’s Sequencer.
• Background in film or animation cinematography.
• Knowledge of procedural lighting workflows or volumetric effects.