Bardel Entertainment is currently seeking a technically-minded and artistically-aware Lighting Technical Assistant (Lighting TA) to join our 3D Lighting department. For more than 35 years, Bardel has been a cornerstone of the North American animation landscape, evolving from a traditional boutique to a technological powerhouse while remaining grounded in the creative roots of the craft.
As a Lighting Technical Assistant at Bardel, you will act as the crucial “bridge” between the artistic vision of the lighting team and the technical rigor of the production pipeline. This role is designed for someone who is passionate about cinematic storytelling and possesses a knack for technical problem-solving within the Blender and Maya ecosystems. You will play a vital part in ensuring the stability, efficiency, and quality of our lighting pipeline, enabling our world-class lighters to focus on what they do best: bringing 3D animated features to life.
Job Overview: Lighting Technical Assistant (Lighting TA)
| Category | Details |
| Primary Keyword | Lighting Technical Assistant (Lighting TA) |
| Company Name | Bardel Entertainment |
| Job Type | Hybrid / Contract (Project Hire) |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Primary Software | Blender, Autodesk Maya, Python |
| Contract Timeline | ASAP – July (With potential for extension) |
| Project Type | 3D Animated Feature Film |
Compensation and Comprehensive Benefits
Bardel Entertainment offers a competitive salary structure tailored to the technical demands of a feature film pipeline. Our compensation packages are designed to attract proactive problem-solvers who can contribute to our studio’s legacy of excellence.
Weekly Salary Table (CAD)
| Position Level | Weekly Pay Range (CAD) | Estimated Monthly Equivalent |
| Lighting Technical Assistant | $1,400 – $1,500 | $6,060 – $6,500 |
> Note: The final salary offer will reflect several key factors, including your educational background, specific technical certifications, years of relevant industry experience, and your proficiency in scripting languages like Python and MEL.
Standard Benefits for Bardel Employees:
- Flexible Work Environment: A hybrid model that balances the freedom of remote work with the synergy of in-person collaboration.
- Immediate Wellness: Access to Extended Health and Wellness benefits from Day 1 of your contract.
- Financial Support: RRSP matching program to support your long-term financial goals.
- Professional Growth: Opportunity to work with industry-leading tools and research new render technologies.
Detailed Job Description
The Mission of the Lighting TA
The Lighting Technical Assistant is a hybrid role that demands both a high level of technical proficiency and a keen aesthetic eye. Your mission is to support the integration, optimization, and validation of lighting assets within our production pipeline. You are the “first responder” for technical issues, ensuring that the lighting files meet both our rigorous technical standards and the Director’s artistic direction.
In this role, you will develop a deep understanding of the lighting tools and pipeline architecture. You won’t just be fixing bugs; you will be identifying workflow bottlenecks and proposing tool improvements or scripts to optimize the way we work.
Key Responsibilities
- Systems Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Test, maintain, and troubleshoot lighting systems and workflows. You will work closely with artists and technical departments to ensure that the transition from animation to lighting is seamless.
- Cross-Departmental Liaison: Act as a key point of contact between the lighting, compositing, rendering, and pipeline development teams. You will ensure that communication remains fluid and that technical requirements are understood across the board.
- Scene Performance Optimization: Diagnose and resolve complex scene performance issues. This includes fixing render errors, identifying broken assets, and managing incorrect file dependencies that could delay production.
- Asset Integration: Monitor and assist with the integration of lighting assets into shot production. You must ensure that naming conventions, data structures, and asset versions are properly maintained to prevent data loss or confusion.
- Technical Support: Provide day-to-day support for lighters. Whether it’s a render layer issue, an AOV error, or a lighting setup glitch, you are the person the team relies on for a quick and effective resolution.
- Documentation: Document tools, workflows, and best practices. You will ensure that knowledge transfer is efficient and that our internal wiki remains a comprehensive resource for the entire department.
- Research & Development: Research and evaluate new lighting-related tools and render technologies. You will proactively propose enhancements to our current workflows to maintain our competitive edge.
What You Will Bring
Technical Skillset
To be a successful Lighting Technical Assistant, you must be proficient in the technical foundations of modern 3D animation:
- Scripting Mastery: Proficiency in Python and MEL is essential for automation and tool development.
- Software Fluency: A strong understanding of lighting and rendering workflows in Blender and Autodesk Maya. Experience with Cycles, Eevee, or Arnold is highly valued.
- Pipeline Knowledge: Familiarity with ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) and asset-tracking systems.
- Compositing Basics: A basic understanding of how lighting integrates into the final image using tools like Nuke.
- Problem Solving: The ability to debug complex issues related to render layers, AOVs, and file referencing.
Professional Qualities
- Resourcefulness: You are a proactive team player who doesn’t wait for a problem to arise but anticipates potential bottlenecks.
- Organization: You have strong organizational and communication skills, allowing you to manage multiple dependencies in a deadline-driven environment.
- Adaptability: You thrive in fast-paced production environments and can pivot your focus as project priorities evolve.
Workforce Diversity and Industry Context
Bardel Entertainment and our parent organization are dedicated to fostering a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow and innovate. We recognize that the best stories come from a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds.
VFX & Animation Industry Trends (2025-2026) The role of the Lighting Technical Assistant has become increasingly vital as studios move toward more complex, hybrid pipelines. With the integration of Blender into professional feature workflows, the demand for TAs who can navigate multiple software platforms while maintaining a unified technical standard has never been higher. At Bardel, we provide the platform for you to lead this technological evolution.
The Hybrid Work Culture at Bardel
At Bardel, we recognize that flexibility is key to doing great work. Our hybrid environment is a valued perk designed to support individual accountability and empower our teams to work where they’re most productive.
- Remote Flexibility: We offer the choice to work remotely for most of the production cycle.
- On-Site Collaboration: This role requires in-studio attendance at our Vancouver studio during onboarding and during predetermined Rush Weeks. These intentional in-person sessions are designed for intense creative collaboration and team building.
Portfolio and Application Requirements
To apply for the position of Lighting Technical Assistant, please submit the following:
Current Resume: Highlighting your experience with Blender/Maya and your scripting proficiency.
Cover Letter: A brief explanation of why you are passionate about the technical side of lighting.
Technical Portfolio (Optional but Encouraged): Examples of tools, scripts, or documentation you have created to solve production hurdles.
Note on Location: While we are a global-facing studio, candidates based in British Columbia (BC) or Quebec (QC) will be prioritized for this specific hiring cycle.
