Senior Lighting Technical Director (VFX)

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Professional development

Software access

Retirement plan

Relocation assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Lighting Technical Director for our Centurion-based visual effects studio. You will establish lighting pipelines, develop tools, and ensure photorealistic integration across complex scenes.

You’ll collaborate with DP, VFX Supervisors, and the Art Department, mentor junior artists, and stay ahead of rendering tech. A degree in CG or related field plus 6+ years in VFX lighting are required.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience as a Lighting TD or similar in VFX.
• Expert proficiency in 3D lighting and rendering software (Maya, Houdini, RenderMan, Arnold, V-Ray).
• Strong understanding of PBR workflows and shader development.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or MEL for tool development.
• Excellent grasp of cinematography principles, color theory and composition.
• Ability to diagnose and solve complex technical and artistic challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with ability to work in a team.
• A portfolio showcasing high-quality lighting and rendering for film/high-end CG.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and refine lighting setups for complex 3D scenes per artistic and technical specs.
• Collaborate with Art Department, Directors of Photography, and VFX Supervisors to achieve visuals.
• Develop and maintain lighting tools, scripts, and shaders to optimize workflow.
• Troubleshoot lighting and rendering issues to maintain production schedules.
• Work with render farm management to optimize render times and resources.
• Ensure lighting integration within composites is seamless and photorealistic.
• Mentor junior lighting artists and TDs; provide guidance and support.
• Stay updated on lighting tech, renderers, and VFX pipelines.
• Contribute to technical development and creative direction of the lighting dept.

Skills

Lighting expertise

PBR workflows

Cinematography fundamentals

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Portfolio review

Education

Degree in Computer Graphics or related field

Tools

Maya

Houdini

RenderMan

Arnold

V-Ray

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading visual effects studio located in Centurion, Gauteng, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Lighting Technical Director to enhance their creative team. This role is critical in bringing digital assets and scenes to life by establishing realistic and aesthetically pleasing lighting. You will be responsible for developing and implementing lighting solutions that meet the director's vision and technical requirements for complex VFX sequences. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of lighting principles, rendering pipelines, and has extensive experience with industry-standard lighting and rendering software. This is a prime opportunity to contribute to high-profile film and television projects within a collaborative and innovative studio environment in Centurion, Gauteng. Join a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and refine lighting setups for complex 3D scenes and characters according to artistic and technical specifications.
• Collaborate closely with the Art Department, Directors of Photography, and VFX Supervisors to achieve desired visual aesthetics.
• Develop and maintain lighting tools, scripts, and shaders to optimize workflow and ensure consistency.
• Troubleshoot lighting and rendering issues, providing timely solutions to maintain production schedules.
• Work with render farm management to optimize render times and resource allocation.
• Ensure lighting integration within composite scenes is seamless and photo-realistic.
• Mentor junior lighting artists and TDs, providing guidance and support.
• Stay updated on the latest developments in lighting technology, renderers, and VFX pipelines.
• Contribute to the technical development and creative direction of the lighting department.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience as a Lighting Technical Director or similar role in the VFX industry.
• Expert proficiency in 3D lighting and rendering software (e.g., Maya, Houdini, RenderMan, Arnold, V-Ray).
• Strong understanding of PBR workflows, physically based rendering, and shader development.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or MEL for tool development.
• Excellent grasp of cinematography principles, color theory, and composition.
• Ability to diagnose and solve complex technical and artistic challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• A portfolio showcasing high-quality lighting and rendering work for film or high-end CG projects is required.
• Degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• A highly competitive annual salary up to R .
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional development opportunities and workshops.
• Access to state-of-the-art VFX software and hardware.
• A dynamic and creative studio environment in Centurion, Gauteng.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates.