Head of Cinematography, Lighting

Netflix Animation Studios Australia Pty Ltd; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Retirement programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Netflix Animation Studios Australia Pty Ltd in Sydney is seeking a Head of Cinematography, Lighting to lead the lighting department and shape the film’s mood, readability, and visual storytelling. You will collaborate with the Director, VFX Supervisor, Production Designer, and Art Directors to define lighting style and ensure consistency across shots.

Based in Sydney with a hybrid work model (minimum 3 days in the office), you will mentor Lighting Supervisors and Artists, oversee lighting rigs

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Supervisor or Head of Lighting on animated features or high-end animation/VFX projects.
• Several years in leadership roles in film/TV/games with lighting/lookdev craft preferred.
• A reel/portfolio showing excellence in lighting, colour, mood and cinematic storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Define the film’s lighting style with key collaborators.
• Build a unified cinematic language integrating camera, lighting and composition.
• Lead and mentor Lighting Supervisors, Leads and Artists with feedback in dailies/reviews.
• Review and approve lighting work to maintain continuity and quality across sequences.

Skills

Leadership

Lighting

Supervision

Cinematography

Portfolio review

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Katana

Arnold

RenderMan

Nuke

Job description

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us!

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Head of Cinematography, Lighting to support our upcoming film. This role is responsible for overseeing the cinematic vision and visual storytelling of the film through a lighting lens. The Head of Cinematography, Lighting works inside of NAS to lead the Lighting department and ensure the visual quality, consistency, and continuity of lighting across the production, shaping mood, atmosphere, and readability in every shot. The Head of Cinematography, Lighting will collaborate closely with the Director, VFX Supervisor, Production Designer, Art Directors, Head of Cinematography, Layout, and other department heads to define the film’s lighting style and integrate it with camera, design, and character performance. They will guide the Lighting team through look development and shot production, providing creative and technical feedback, while helping to design workflows and tools that support efficient, high-quality output.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with the Director, VFX Supervisor, Production Designer, and Art Directors to define the film’s lighting style and ensure it aligns with the overall visual direction
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Cinematography, Layout to build a unified cinematic language that integrates camera, lighting, and composition
• Lead and mentor Lighting Supervisors, Leads, and Artists, setting expectations and providing creative and technical feedback in dailies and reviews
• Review and approve lighting work, maintaining continuity and quality standards across sequences and shots
• Partner with Modeling, Surfacing, Environments, FX, CFX, and Compositing to ensure seamless integration of assets and effects into final lit and composited images
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of lighting rigs, templates, and workflows that support efficiency and consistency across the show
• Collaborate with CG/Technical Supervisors, Production Technology, and R&D on pipeline developments, tool needs, and the technical feasibility of lighting concepts
• Troubleshoot and resolve escalated lighting-related technical issues with TDs and engineering partners
• Work closely with Production Management to bid, schedule, and track lighting work, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget
• Encourage a collaborative atmosphere by promoting respect, integrity, inclusion, and trust, and support training and development initiatives for Lighting artists

What You’ll Need:

• Proven experience as a Supervisor or Head of Lighting on animated feature films or similar high‑end animation/VFX projects
• Several years of experience in leadership or supervisory roles in film, TV, or games, backed by 10+ years in lighting/lookdev/comp craft preferred
• A reel/portfolio demonstrating excellence in lighting, colour, mood, and cinematic storytelling
• Strong creative eye and understanding of lighting principles, colour theory, and cinematography
• Proficiency with industry‑standard lighting and rendering tools (e.g., Maya, Houdini, Katana, Arnold, RenderMan, or similar), and familiarity with compositing tools (e.g., Nuke)
• Solid understanding of the animation/VFX pipeline and experience working in a collaborative production environment
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to provide clear creative and technical direction

This role is based out of Sydney, Australia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office).

• NAS benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

At Netflix, we want to entertain the world. Whatever your taste, and no matter where you live, we give you access to best‑in‑class TV series, documentaries, feature films and games. Our members control what they want to watch, when they want it, in one simple subscription. We’re streaming in more than 30 languages and 190 countries, because great stories can come from anywhere and be loved everywhere. We are the world’s biggest fans of entertainment, and we’re always looking to help you find your next favorite story.