Senior Lighting Technical Director

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and dental benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Exposure to cutting-edge projects

Creative studio environment

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Lighting Technical Director to shape lighting and rendering pipelines for high-end 3D animation content. You will optimize render settings, defend visual quality, and collaborate closely with art and modeling teams to achieve consistent, beautiful results.

Join a bustling studio that values technical excellence, mentorship, and innovation. You will mentor lighting artists, develop tools, and stay ahead of rendering technology to set new benchmarks in

Qualifications

• Proven TD in CG animation or VFX with a strong portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of lighting principles, color theory, and composition.
• Proficiency in Maya and rendering engines: Arnold, V-Ray, Renderman.
• Strong understanding of scene assembly, shading, texturing, and render optimization.
• Experience with Python, MEL or equivalent for pipeline tool development.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain lighting and rendering pipelines for 3D animation projects.
• Collaborate with Art Directors and Supervisors to establish lighting aesthetics for shots and sequences.
• Create and optimize complex lighting scenes and render setups for high-quality visuals and efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance and support to lighting artists, troubleshooting issues and ensuring standards.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks and enhance the lighting workflow.
• Ensure consistency in lighting quality and style across the project.
• Work with pipeline team to integrate lighting tools into the production pipeline.
• Perform final lighting passes and quality checks before rendering.
• Stay updated on latest rendering tech and techniques.

Skills

Lighting principles

Color theory

Problem solving

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics/Animation

Tools

Maya

Arnold

V-Ray

RenderMan

Python

MEL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading animation studio in Durban , is looking for a talented and experienced Senior Lighting Technical Director to join their highly collaborative team. This role is critical in bringing visually stunning 3D animated content to life by shaping the lighting and rendering pipeline. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing lighting solutions, optimizing render settings, and ensuring the aesthetic quality and technical integrity of all rendered imagery. You will work closely with the art and modeling departments to establish lighting styles and provide technical support to the lighting artists. This position demands a deep understanding of lighting principles, rendering techniques, and pipeline integration within a bustling studio environment. Join us in creating captivating visual narratives and setting new benchmarks in animated artistry.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain lighting and rendering pipelines for 3D animation projects.
• Collaborate with Art Directors and Supervisors to establish and execute the desired lighting aesthetics for shots and sequences.
• Create and optimize complex lighting scenes and render setups to achieve high-quality visual results efficiently.
• Provide technical guidance and support to lighting artists, troubleshooting issues and ensuring adherence to established standards.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks and enhance the lighting workflow.
• Ensure consistency in lighting quality and style across the entire project.
• Work closely with the pipeline development team to integrate lighting tools and solutions into the overall production pipeline.
• Perform final lighting passes and quality control checks before rendering.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in rendering technology and techniques.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Lighting Technical Director in CG animation or VFX, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise.
• In-depth knowledge of lighting principles, color theory, and composition.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software such as Maya, and rendering engines like Arnold, V-Ray, or Renderman.
• Strong understanding of scene assembly, shading, texturing, and rendering optimization.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent for pipeline tool development.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior lighting artists.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting your expertise.
• Comprehensive medical and dental benefits.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Exposure to cutting-edge animation projects.
• A stimulating and creative studio environment in beautiful Durban .
• Retirement savings plan.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.