CGI Lighting

TheLab • New York, NY

6d

About The Position

The CGI Lighting Artist is responsible for creating high-quality lighting and rendering solutions for digital assets across a wide range of client projects. Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled production ecosystem, this role combines artistic expertise with emerging technologies to produce photorealistic imagery while supporting efficient, scalable production workflows. The CGI Lighting Artist collaborates closely with modelers, texture artists, compositors, developers, and production teams to establish lighting that enhances realism, reinforces brand standards, and supports creative objectives. They will also help evaluate and integrate AI-enabled tools that improve lighting workflows without compromising quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Digital Arts, Visual Effects, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in CGI lighting and rendering for commercial, retail, or advertising projects.
• Strong understanding of lighting theory, color, composition, and photorealism.
• Experience with physically based rendering (PBR) workflows.
• Strong attention to detail and visual storytelling.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• 3D Software: 3ds Max, Houdini
• Rendering Engines: V-Ray, Karma
• Production: Physically Based Rendering (PBR), HDRI lighting, Color management, Render optimization, Asset management
• Emerging Technologies: AI-assisted rendering tools, Workflow automation, Basic scripting (Python preferred), Familiarity with HOME AI workflows

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AI-assisted rendering or production workflows.
• Knowledge of physically accurate materials and shader development.
• Experience working with large-scale production pipelines.
• Familiarity with automation tools or scripting (Python is a plus).
• Experience supporting photography, product visualization, or e-commerce content production.
• Understanding of cloud rendering and distributed rendering environments.

Responsibilities

• Create realistic and visually compelling lighting for CGI assets across product visualization, advertising, retail, and marketing campaigns.
• Develop lighting setups that enhance mood, realism, and brand consistency.
• Optimize rendering workflows to balance visual quality with production efficiency.
• Collaborate with modeling, texturing, compositing, and production teams throughout the creative process.
• Maintain consistency across multiple assets, environments, and deliverables.
• Troubleshoot rendering and lighting issues while ensuring deadlines are met.
• Work with AI Developers and production teams to evaluate AI-assisted lighting, rendering, and workflow automation opportunities within HOME.
• Contribute to lighting standards, documentation, and best practices across production teams.
• Stay informed on advancements in CGI rendering, lighting techniques, and AI technologies relevant to production.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level