Lead Lighting Artist

Stellar Entertainment Software; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A gaming studio in Guildford is seeking a Lead Lighting Artist to head up their Lighting team. This role involves mentoring, designing high-quality lighting setups for AAA projects, and collaborating with team members to ensure optimal rendering quality. The ideal candidate has experience in the gaming industry, with a strong portfolio and advanced skills in tools like Unreal Engine 5 and 3DS Max. The studio offers flexible working and a variety of benefits.

Benefits

International AAA game projects

Flexible/hybrid working

Private Healthcare Plan

Pension Plan

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Experience as a Senior or Lead Lighting Artist within the games industry.
• At least one shipped AAA title.
• An impressive portfolio demonstrating understanding of lighting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Lighting team.
• Design and implement high quality lighting setups.
• Partner with Technical Artists on materials and image quality.

Skills

Leadership

Lighting design

Communication skills

Technical knowledge

Creativity

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

3DS Max

Maya

Blender

Photoshop

Job description

Overview

As our Lead Lighting Artist, you'll head up the Lighting team, working closely with our Studio Art Director, Environment Director, Technical Artists, and Engineers to craft visually stunning and technically optimized lighting across our AAA projects. Lighting is a critical component of our games, and it is essential to have someone who can direct and conduct a consistent vision for our environments taking the experience to the next level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Lighting team to promote creativity and educate them in the science of lighting
• Design and implement high quality lighting setups that enhance mood, narrative and generate visceral gameplay experiences
• Use technical knowledge to maximise the potential of the rendering quality while keeping framerates up
• Partner with Technical Artists and Graphics Engineers on materials, shaders, shadows, anti-aliasing, and image quality enhancements
• Stay up to date on trends and methodologies in current and future graphics software; develop early planning of lighting related processes
• Be aware of potential risks to the project and bring it to the attention of management
• Support the Studio Art Director, Technical Director and Lead Artist in any ad hoc tasks and duties
• Experience as a Senior or Lead Lighting Artist within the games industry
• Have at least one shipped AAA title under your belt
• An impressive portfolio demonstrating your deep understanding of lighting, mood, and visual storytelling
• Experience of real-time dynamic and baked lighting, grading, lens flares, vignette and other post-FX all with an eye on image quality and performance
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong working knowledge of Unreal Engine 5
• Experience in industry standard art tools such as 3DS Max/Maya, Blender, Photoshop
• Photography experience shooting lighting reference, HDRI/IBL as needed
• A strong understanding of the principles of PBR rendering and other leading-edge rendering techniques, including those that achieve the best GI
• Demonstrated leadership and a passion for nurturing and developing team talent

About the studio

We are a video game development studio with offices in Guildford, UK and Utrecht, Netherlands. Sitting within the heart of thriving communities of game developers and publishers, we focus on quality and excellence, and our partners and players are always at the front of everything we do.

Benefits

• International AAA game projects
• Access to cutting-edge hardware
• Flexible/hybrid working (we work 3 days per week on site)
• Great increasing holiday benefits including Christmas Shutdown
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private Healthcare Plan including dental and optical support, mental health, online GP
• Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Flu Jab Vouchers
• Regular Team Incentives and Social Events
• Brand new Guildford office
• Access to a well-stocked fridge and snack cupboard
• Opportunities to work with our Netherlands office