Lead CG Lighter

General Summary 

The Lead CG Lighter oversees and supports the CG Lighting team while collaborating with key creative and technical artists to ensure consistent productivity and high-quality CG lighting. This position is also responsible for completing complex shot work and for driving the look development for shots, sequences, environments, and select assets.  

Job Functions 

• Establish sequence lighting looks through translation of approved practical lighting into the CG assets and shots.
• Collaborate with CG Supervisors and the leads to ensure seamless integration of stage and VFX lighting.  
• Provide comprehensive launch materials for the CG Lighting team and assist them in resolving creative challenges.
• Work with CG Supervisor, asset artists, and look development teams to confirm accurate translation of CG assets during shot integration.
• Foster effective communication between CG assets, animation, FX, lighting, and compositing teams in order to oversee handoffs to/from the lighting team.
• Assist CG Lighters in troubleshooting technical problems through collaboration with department TDs and Digital Pipeline team; advise Digital Pipeline team on creation, implementation, and lighting toolsets refinement.
• Bid lighting tasks with VFX production management and advise on lighting assignments.
• Work with CG Supervisor and VFX production management to ensure lighting deadlines and quotas are met.
• Ensure the highest level of quality while working on multiple projects and adhering to deadlines.  
• Absorb lighting inventory as needed. 

Qualifications 

• 5+ years’ experience leading a team of CG lighters and/or look development artists in a production environment.
• 5+ years’ experience lighting high-end photo-real VFX for feature films and/or television.
• Strong knowledge of lighting principles, tools, and workflows.
• Experience working with Katana.
• Working knowledge of Nuke and compositing principles.
• Understanding of applicable software and platforms including Maya, Houdini, and Renderman.
• Experience with advanced lighting techniques such as global illumination, HDRI, subsurface scattering, and real-world lighting setups.
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently with minimal supervision under tight deadlines. Ability to engage, motivate, and communicate effectively with diverse artistic talents through team and one-on-one meetings. 
• Excellent time management skills and proactive approach to problem solving 

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.  

Location

On-site in Hillsboro, OR  

Salary

Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.