Senior Lighting Technical Director (3D Animation)

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement benefits

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Lighting Technical Director to lead lighting and rendering efforts for our animation projects. You will develop and optimize lighting pipelines, create complex lighting setups, and collaborate with the Art, Surfacing, and Compositing teams, as well as R&D, to push real-time and offline rendering quality.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in lighting TD roles, strong scripting skills (Python/MEL), and a solid understanding of Maya, Houdini, and

Qualifications

• 6+ years as Lighting TD or similar role in feature animation or high-end CG production.
• Strong understanding of lighting, color theory, and composition.
• Experience with Python, MEL or equivalent scripting.
• Knowledge of shading, texturing and compositing workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize lighting and rendering pipelines for animation production.
• Create and implement complex lighting setups to shape shots and mood.
• Collaborate with Art Department and Director to achieve visual storytelling goals through lighting.
• Troubleshoot lighting, rendering, and scene setup issues.
• Develop tools, scripts, and shaders to enhance workflow.
• Collaborate with Surfacing and Compositing to ensure integration of lighting elements.
• Research and implement new lighting and rendering techniques and technologies.
• Optimize scenes and rendering settings for faster turnaround without sacrificing quality.
• Mentor junior lighting artists and TDs; maintain high technical and artistic standards.

Skills

Lighting pipelines

Maya & Houdini

Python/MEL scripting

Lighting principles

Unreal Engine (real-time)

Education

Bachelor's degree in CG / related field

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Arnold

V-Ray

Redshift

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished animation studio celebrated for its visually stunning animated features and series, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Lighting Technical Director to join their cutting-edge facility in Benoni, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves developing and implementing advanced lighting solutions, optimizing rendering pipelines, and ensuring the highest standards of visual quality and consistency across projects. You will collaborate closely with the lighting, surfacing, and compositing departments, as well as R&D, to push the boundaries of real-time and offline rendering technology. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical understanding of lighting principles, rendering engines, and pipeline integration, combined with a strong artistic sensibility. Be a part of shaping breathtaking animated worlds from Benoni .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize lighting and rendering pipelines for animation production.
• Create and implement complex lighting setups, contributing to the overall artistic look and feel of shots.
• Work closely with the Art Department and Director to achieve the desired mood, atmosphere, and visual storytelling through lighting.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to lighting, rendering, and scene assembly.
• Develop custom tools, scripts, and shaders to enhance the lighting and rendering workflow.
• Collaborate with the Surfacing and Compositing departments to ensure seamless integration of lighting elements.
• Research and implement new lighting and rendering techniques and technologies.
• Optimize scenes and rendering settings for efficient turnaround times without compromising visual quality.
• Mentor and guide junior lighting artists and TDs.
• Maintain high standards for technical and artistic quality throughout the lighting process.

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of experience as a Lighting TD or similar role in feature animation or high‑end CG production.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard 3D software (e.g., Maya, Houdini) and rendering engines (e.g., Arnold, V‑Ray, Redshift, or proprietary engines).
• Strong understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and composition.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of shading, texturing, and compositing workflows is essential.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems related to rendering and scene setup.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Artistic eye and a strong understanding of visual storytelling.
• Experience with real‑time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical and retirement plans, and performance bonuses. You will work on critically acclaimed animated projects in a state‑of‑the‑art studio located in Benoni, Gauteng . We provide a stimulating and collaborative environment that fosters creativity and professional growth, with opportunities for training and development in cutting‑edge technologies. Join a passionate team dedicated to artistic excellence and pushing the boundaries of animation. We value innovation and offer a rewarding career path for talented individuals in the animation industry.