Senior Lighting Technical Director - Animation

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane seeks a Senior Lighting Technical Director to shape mood, atmosphere, and storytelling through lighting for animated features. You will collaborate with art directors and directors to define lighting style and deliver breathtaking renders.

The role involves developing lighting tools, troubleshooting render issues, mentoring juniors, and ensuring timely delivery within the production pipeline. A strong portfolio and 5+ years in animation lighting are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of lighting experience in animation or VFX.
• Portfolio showcasing lighting and rendering work.
• Proficiency with Maya/Blender and Arnold/Renderman/V-Ray.
• Experience with Python or MEL for tooling.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and refine lighting for animated scenes, ensuring artistic intent and technical quality.
• Collaborate with Art Directors and Directors to establish lighting style and mood.
• Develop and maintain lighting tools, scripts, and workflows to optimize efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve lighting and rendering issues for timely shot delivery.
• Optimize scenes for rendering performance without compromising quality.
• Create high-quality lighting renders that meet project specs.
• Stay current with rendering tech, shaders, and lighting techniques.
• Mentor junior lighting artists and provide technical guidance.
• Work effectively within the Polokwane production pipeline.

Skills

Lighting for animation

Rendering tools

Python scripting

Shaders & PBR

Color theory

Cinematography

Communication

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor in Computer Graphics

Tools

Maya

Blender

Arnold

RenderMan

V-Ray

Python/MEL scripting

Job description

About the Role

A renowned animation studio in Polokwane , celebrated for its visually stunning animated features, is seeking a talented Senior Lighting Technical Director. This role is pivotal in defining the mood, atmosphere, and visual storytelling of our animated projects through expert lighting. You will work closely with the art department and animation teams to create breathtaking lighting environments that enhance the narrative and evoke the desired emotional response from audiences. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of lighting principles, advanced technical skills in rendering and shading, and a keen artistic sensibility. If you are passionate about the artistry and technical intricacies of lighting in animation, this is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to critically acclaimed films.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and refine lighting for animated scenes, ensuring artistic intent and technical quality.
• Collaborate with Art Directors, Directors, and other technical artists to establish the lighting style and mood for projects.
• Develop and maintain lighting tools, scripts, and workflows to optimize efficiency and artistic control.
• Troubleshoot and resolve lighting and rendering issues, ensuring timely delivery of shots.
• Optimize scenes for rendering performance without compromising visual quality.
• Create high-quality lighting renders that meet project specifications.
• Stay current with advancements in rendering technology, shaders, and lighting techniques.
• Mentor junior lighting artists and provide technical guidance.
• Work effectively within the production pipeline in Polokwane .

Requirements

• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional lighting and rendering work for animation or VFX.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender) and lighting/rendering engines (e.g., Arnold, Renderman, V-Ray).
• Solid understanding of cinematography, color theory, and composition as they apply to lighting.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL) for tool development.
• Knowledge of shaders, texture mapping, and PBR workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in lighting for animation or related fields.
• A degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related discipline is preferred.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary of ZAR per annum, commensurate with experience. You will be part of an award-winning studio, contributing to visually impactful animated projects. The position provides excellent opportunities for professional development, exposure to cutting-edge technology, and the chance to collaborate with a talented team in Polokwane . Benefits include health coverage and performance-related bonuses. Join us in shaping the future of animation.