Senior Unreal Lighting Artist

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist , you aren’t just placing lights; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for the final look of cinematic sequences, translating mood, atmosphere, and narrative intent into the technical reality of Unreal Engine 5.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who doesn't wait for a list of instructions but instead looks at a shot and asks, "How can I make this look even better?" You will be embedded with our client’s team, collaborating directly with their Lead/Supervising Artist, while representing the high standards of Steamroller Animation.

• Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.
• Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.
• Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel solutions for shots to ensure visual continuity across sequences.
• Fine-tune light properties, surface shaders, and post-process volumes (bloom, fog, color grading) to achieve gold-standard visuals.
• Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.
• Work seamlessly within the client’s internal pipeline, maintaining clear communication and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Ensure lighting setups are optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

• Significant experience as a Lighting Artist in video games or high-end animation (Senior to Upper-Senior level).
• Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine 5, specifically using Sequencer and Movie Render Queue (MRQ).
• A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, value, and composition.
• Experience with Maya and version control systems like Perforce or Git Hub
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• Ability to take direction from a Lead/Art Director and translate feedback into beautiful visuals.
• This role is remote but requires significant overlap with USEastern Time (EST) working hours to collaborate effectively with the project team.

• Status: This is a 1099 Contract position.
• Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware requirements will be discussed during the interview process. Any hardware upgrades required for smooth operations and performance are the responsibility of the artist.

• Experience with Blueprints to enhance lighting or environmental effects.
• Background in live TV, concerts, or virtual production (AR/XR).
• Experience in a lead or mentor capacity.
• Knowledge of secondary software like Photoshop or Nuke for Look Dev.