Expert Lighting Artist

Job Title: Expert Lighting Artist

Requisition ID: R025776

Job Description:

Expert Lighting Artist

Sledgehammer Games is a leading developer in the video game industry, best known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise. Since our inception in 2009, the studio has delivered iconic titles including Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

As industry leaders in first-person shooter development, our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detail of our games, from highly polished multiplayer experiences to emotionally engaging single-player campaigns. At Sledgehammer Games, we believe in pushing boundaries, redefining the possibilities of interactive storytelling, and setting new standards for visual and gameplay fidelity. Our goal is to deliver world-class gaming content that continues to set the bar for quality, innovation, and player engagement.

We are excited to invite a talented and passionate Expert Lighting Artist to join our growing team based in Guildford, UK. You will collaborate with our talented teams across the globe, including locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This is a hybrid position based in our Guildford studio, offering a mix of in-studio and remote workdays. Please note, permanent remote work is not available.

Your Mission

Are you a video games enthusiast who enjoys first-person shooters and has a passion for digital lighting, art, and photo-realistic quality? The lighting team is crucial in setting mood, visual storytelling, and driving player emotion. You will work closely with our art and creative directors to evoke emotion and enhance gameplay. As a key member of our small, agile team, you will help create some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in video games.

Responsibilities include routine 1:1s, weekly team meetings, an in-depth training period, and open communication with adjacent teams.

Your Directives

1. Create gameplay and in-game cinematic lighting based on Art Director’s guidance.
2. Ensure lighting assets meet runtime and disk budget requirements.
3. Identify and report potential production issues to the Lead.
4. Collaborate with Character, VFX, and Environment Art departments.
5. Work independently and with leads to optimize the lighting pipeline.
6. Stay current with industry lighting techniques.
7. Collaborate with rendering engineers to improve engine capabilities.
8. Create sky dome and cloud assets.
9. Innovate to set industry standards.
10. Develop workflows and best practices for the lighting team.
11. Mentor other lighting artists and foster a creative, trusting environment.

The Skills We Seek

1. Extensive experience in a lighting role within the gaming industry.
2. Proficiency in Maya and Photoshop or equivalents.
3. Deep knowledge of physically-based lighting.
4. Strong understanding of lighting fundamentals, including color, exposure, and reflections.
5. Leadership experience in inspiring teams.
6. Understanding of composition and mood enhancement through lighting.
7. Skill in color grading and post-effects.
8. Knowledge of rendering concepts and processes.
9. Experience with Unreal, Unity, or other engines.
10. Experience with PBR & HDR lighting, ray tracing, and path tracing systems.
11. Ability to leverage AI as a development tool.

Bonus Points

1. Experience with scripting or programming languages.
2. Experience with Houdini.
3. Knowledge of photography principles and image correction techniques.
4. Experience playing Call of Duty or similar FPS games.

We welcome applicants passionate about changing the games industry. If you\’re unsure about meeting all qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage underrepresented groups to apply.

Our World

At Activision, we aim to create iconic brands and deliver unrivaled gaming experiences. Our franchises include Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and Guitar Hero. We strive to be an inclusive company, with passionate, creative, and diverse teams driving our success.

This role involves fast-paced, evolving responsibilities. Duties may change as needed to support our business and partnerships.

Sledgehammer Games is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected status.

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