Philm CGI hiring VFX Lighting Lead, Pune

Festybay; Pune District; On-site; INR 2,200,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Health insurance

Professional development

Relocation support

Job summary

A leading animation studio in Pune, India, is seeking an experienced VFX Lighting Lead. You will define the visual mood of projects, mentor Lighting TDs, and collaborate with VFX Supervisors. The role requires 5+ years of experience and mastery over Autodesk Maya and Arnold. The studio offers a vibrant creative environment, comprehensive health insurance, and opportunities for professional development. Join us in lighting the stories the world is waiting to see.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Lighting Lead or equivalent role.
• Proven track record of managing large teams (10+ artists).
• Deep knowledge of color theory, composition, and physics of light.

Responsibilities

• Define visual mood of projects and mentor Lighting TDs.
• Collaborate with VFX Supervisors to achieve creative look.
• Optimize scenes for the render farm while balancing production budget.

Skills

Artistic supervision

Technical execution

Problem solving

Communication

Software mastery

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Arnold

Redshift

Nuke

Unreal Engine

Job description

Philm CGI is an award-winning animation and visual effects studio with a reputation for delivering high-end content for global feature films, OTT platforms, and animated series. With a footprint in both Pune and Mumbai, we pride ourselves on a culture that fosters technical innovation and artistic fearlessness.

We are currently looking for a seasoned VFX Lighting Lead to join our Pune studio. This is not just a management role; it is a creative pillar within our CG department. You will be responsible for defining the visual mood of our stories, mentoring the next generation of Lighting TDs, and ensuring our pipeline remains at the cutting edge of the industry.

Annual Salary Range ₹22,00,000 – ₹42,00,000 (Based on portfolio and expertise)

Core Software Stack Maya, Arnold, Redshift, Nuke, Unreal Engine

As the Lighting Lead at Philm CGI, you are the final architect of the frame. You will spend your days collaborating with our VFX Supervisors and pipeline developers to ensure that the creative "look" of each project is achieved with maximum efficiency. You are the bridge between raw 3D assets and the final cinematic image.

Your leadership will involve guiding a dedicated team of Lighting Technical Directors (TDs), conducting daily one-on-one rounds, and assembling temp composites that serve as the blueprint for the final grade. We look for leads who don’t just fix shots but who inspire their team to understand the why behind the light.

1. Artistic Supervision & Creative Alignment

You will be responsible for the quality and artistic supervision of all lighting tasks. This involves:

• Collaborating directly with the VFX Supervisor to translate conceptual art and director notes into digital light and shadow.
• Implementing "Master Lighting" and generic compositing setups that allow the team to propagate a consistent look across a sequence quickly.
• Maintaining strict lighting continuity. In a high-end VFX sequence, light must remain consistent across varying camera angles and character movements; you will be the gatekeeper of this visual flow.

2. Technical Execution & Optimization

VFX is as much about math as it is about art. You will:

• Deliver final shots to production, ensuring a rigorous technical check is performed to eliminate noise, artifacts, or rendering errors.
• Plan and execute complex scenes, managing intricate layers and passes to give Compositors the flexibility they need.
• Optimize scenes for the render farm. A Lead at Philm CGI understands how to balance $Ray Depth$ and $Sampling$ to achieve photorealism without blowing the production budget.

Leadership at Philm CGI is about empowerment.

• One-on-One Rounds: You will conduct daily desk rounds to provide immediate, actionable feedback to your team.
• Coaching: You will guide Lighting TDs in executing quality performances, helping them troubleshoot technical bottlenecks in Maya or Arnold.
• Workflow Design: You will participate as a core member of the supervising team to determine design solutions and efficiency improvements for the entire CG pipeline.

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate a mastery of both the "buttons" and the "brush".

• Management Experience: Proven track record of managing large teams (10+ artists) through the high-pressure cycles of film delivery.
• Software Mastery: You must be highly proficient in Autodesk Maya and Arnold. Experience with Redshift for faster turnarounds and Nuke for lighting-slap-comps is essential.
• The Science of Light: Deep knowledge of color theory, composition, and the physics of light (inverse square law, bounce light, and global illumination).
• Problem Solving: You are the "escalation point." When a shader breaks or a render time spikes, you have the technical depth to find the solution.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to navigate the needs of the Production Managers, the VFX Supervisors, and the Artists.

We highly value candidates who bring a multidisciplinary approach to lighting:

• Photography Background: Candidates who understand real-world camera mechanics—aperture, depth of field (DoF), exposure, and dynamic range—often produce the most realistic CG lighting.
• Real-Time Workflows: A working knowledge of Unreal Engine for real-time cinematics or virtual production is a significant plus as we expand our hybrid pipeline.
• Film History: A strong aesthetic sense derived from an understanding of cinematic lighting styles (e.g., Noir, High-key, Naturalism).

Working at Philm CGI means being part of a studio that values the artist’s voice. We offer:

• World-Class Projects: The opportunity to work on high-profile international and domestic titles.
• Collaborative Culture: A flat hierarchy where your ideas for pipeline improvement are heard and implemented.
• Growth Path: We invest in our leads, providing the tools and time to explore new rendering technologies and leadership training.
• Vibrant Pune Studio: Our Pune office is a hub of creativity, located in a city known for its work-life balance and growing tech community.

Compensation & Growth Table

• Performance Bonus – Annual bonuses based on project success and team efficiency.
• Health Insurance – Comprehensive coverage for you and your dependents.
• Professional Development – Sponsored access to workshops and VFX masterclasses.
• Relocation Support – Full assistance for candidates moving to Pune from other cities.

How to Apply

If you have 5+ years of experience as a Lighting Lead (or equivalent) and are ready to take on a senior leadership role at one of India’s premier studios, we want to hear from you.

• Updated Portfolio/Reel: Must include a breakdown of your lighting and compositing work.
• Resume: Highlighting your management experience and technical stack.
• Cover Letter: Briefly explain your approach to managing a team under tight deadlines.

Join Philm CGI and help us light the stories that the world is waiting to see. We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity in our studio.