Senior lighting artist

As a Senior Lighting Artist at CIG, you will be joining a team responsible for lighting all the amazing locations in Star Citizen. Star Citizen is a universe filled with solar systems, each of which are filled with diverse locations all of which the player can seamlessly fly down to from space and explore on foot.

In this senior position, you will take ownership of implementing and overseeing high-quality, complex, and cinematic realtime lighting scenarios for Star Citizen. This could be anything from a moody old Space Station in low orbit around a planet to a neon-filled cityscape located on a planet. The art pillars of the game are Cinematic Sci‑Fi Realism. You will play a pivotal role in establishing the mood, tone, and visual quality for environments, ensuring the final frame showcases the artwork to the highest possible industry standard.

This is an onsite role based at our studio in Manchester, UK.

Responsibilities

• Create and champion believable, cinematic and narrative-driven lighting scenarios for major locations in the game.
• Optimise and ensure complex lighting setups work seamlessly within strict defined realtime rendering budgets, proactively identifying performance bottlenecks.
• Work closely with the Lighting Lead and Art Director to interpret, execute, and help maintain the overall artistic vision across the project.
• Collaborate deeply with other departments (Environment Art, Tech Art, Design) to pioneer workflows and help create the best player experience possible.
• Act as a technical and artistic resource for junior and mid-level artists, helping elevate the team’s collective skillset.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in creating high-quality, AAA realtime lighting scenarios, with a strong portfolio showcasing a masterful handle on mood and composition.
• Deep passion for creating inspirational lighting moods and storytelling through light.
• Deep understanding of material shading, physically based rendering (PBR), and how the interplay of different materials impacts the final frame under varying light conditions.
• Profound knowledge of cinematic lighting principles (composition, colour theory, exposure) combined with the technical know-how to implement them in a cutting‑edge engine.
• A wide variety of reference material to constantly challenge themselves and push the boundaries of realtime games.
• Excellent communication skills, collaborative mindset, and ability to thrive within a highly passionate, fast‑paced team environment.

Diversity Statement

CIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. Together, we are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of the importance of diversity is fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring all the things that make them unique to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it’s our differences that make it special.

Fraud Statement

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