Company: Firesprite

Job Overview Job Highlights Feature Details Role Lead Lighting Artist Studio Firesprite (Sony Interactive Entertainment) Location Duke Street, Liverpool, UK Work Type Hybrid / Remote (UK-based) Employment Full-Time Salary Range £60,000 – £85,000 (Estimated based on 2026 industry benchmarks) Core Tech Unreal Engine 5, PBR Pipelines, HDR Key Benefits Private Medical & Dental, 25 Days Holiday, Discretionary Bonus The Firesprite Vision: Lighting the Path Forward Firesprite is not just a game development studio; it is a creative powerhouse located in the iconic heart of Liverpool. As an integral part of the PlayStation Studios family, Firesprite is responsible for delivering “showcase” experiences—games that define the technological and emotional capabilities of modern gaming hardware. At Firesprite, we don’t just build environments; we craft journeys. We create shared moments of excitement through captivating narratives and memorable characters. Our studio culture is built upon four foundational pillars: Inclusivity, Bravery, Responsiveness, and Entrepreneurialism. These aren’t just words on a wall; they are the driving force behind how Firesprite operates. We are looking for a Lead Lighting Artist who embodies these values—someone who is brave enough to push technical boundaries and inclusive enough to ensure every member of the Firesprite lighting team feels empowered to succeed. Role Overview: A Leadership Pillar at Firesprite Firesprite is seeking a talented and visionary Lead Lighting Artist to join our world-class art department. In this role, you will be a critical collaborator, working side-by-side with the Art Director, Cinematography Director, and other Art Leads to define the visual soul of our projects. As the Lead Lighting Artist at Firesprite, your responsibility goes far beyond placing lights in a scene. You will oversee all aspects of lighting production, from the initial creative spark to the final technical polish. Your goal is to achieve “best-in-class” lighting filled with atmosphere, tone, and mood—elements that are synonymous with a Firesprite and PlayStation production. The ideal candidate for Firesprite is someone who possesses an expert grasp of both the artistic craft and the technical architecture of real-time lighting. However, at Firesprite, we value people as much as pixels. We need a manager with a “people-first” approach, someone who views team development as a core part of their mission and has the passion to inspire the next generation of artists at Firesprite. What You Will Be Doing at Firesprite Creative Leadership and Vision Your primary mission at Firesprite is to bring the “Project Pillars” to life. You will push for visual excellence, ensuring that the lighting supports the narrative and gameplay goals established by the leadership team. At Firesprite, we use Unreal Engine as our primary pipeline, and you will be responsible for ensuring that our lighting remains at the cutting edge of what this technology can offer. Departmental Management Consistency is key to the high standards at Firesprite. You will lead the lighting team by providing clear direction and constructive feedback. You will ensure that every artist understands their specific role within the department and has a clear roadmap of what is expected of them.  we believe that clarity leads to creativity. Production Oversight From initial pre-visualization (previs) to the final “gold” polish pass, you will have oversight of all lighting content. You will manage production deliverables and ensure that the creative process is efficient, scalable, and capable of meeting the rigorous demands of a AAA production schedule. Technical Strategy and Tooling Firesprite is a studio that values innovation. You will collaborate with our technical teams to drive solutions for purpose-driven lighting tools. You will define technical standards that ensure our lighting systems are not only beautiful but also optimized for performance. You will assume ownership of critical lighting features, maintaining and evolving them as the project progresses. Cross-Departmental Collaboration Lighting does not exist in a vacuum at Firesprite. You will work closely with Environment Art, Level Design, VFX, Cinematics, and Tech Art. By defining collaborative processes, you will ensure that lighting enriches every facet of the game, from the way a player navigates a level to the emotional impact of a cinematic cutscene. Mentorship and People Growth Perhaps the most important part of being a Lead at Firesprite is the development of your team. You will act as a mentor and coach, conducting 1:1 sessions, setting goals, and evaluating performance. You will help the artists at Firesprite grow in their craft, ensuring that the studio remains a place where talent is nurtured and celebrated. External Partner Management We often works with external co-development teams. You will be responsible for reviewing their work, providing technical and visual feedback, and ensuring that their output meets the high standards expected of a Firesprite project. What We are Looking For We are looking for a veteran who is ready to take the next step in their career with a studio that values their expertise. Shipping History: You have experience shipping multiple high-profile projects on major platforms. You understand the “finish line” mentality required for a Firesprite title. A Stunning Portfolio: Your work should demonstrate an expert grasp of lighting for environments, characters, and cinematics. We want to see how you use light to tell a story. Production Knowledge: You are well-versed in production management methodologies and understand how to keep a department moving forward. Technical Prowess: You have an excellent understanding of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) and HDR pipelines. You are an expert in Unreal Engine and understand how to implement optimized lighting systems. Artistic Fundamentals: You have a master-level understanding of light, color, value, composition, and cinematography. Communication Skills: You are a proactive communicator who can solve both creative and technical problems while remaining open to criticism and feedback. Desirable Skills for the Firesprite Team While not mandatory, we are particularly interested in candidates who bring: Previous leadership experience in a AAA environment. Proficiency in DaVinci Resolve for color grading. An in-depth understanding of Blueprints, Shaders, and profiling tools. A history of successful mentorship for internal and external teams. Why Join the Firesprite Family? When you work at Firesprite, you aren’t just an employee; you are a … Read more

📍 Liverpool, UK (1–3 days in-studio preferred, remote options considered) Firesprite, a PlayStation Studios member, is creating a dark, story-driven next-gen Narrative Adventure. We’re looking for a Principal Technical Animator to craft high-quality gameplay animations that deliver immersive storytelling, expressive characters, and AAA gameplay experiences. ✨ Responsibilities: Create believable human & non-human animations (keyframe & mocap) Lead animation systems/features and refine pipelines Collaborate across teams from block-out to final gameplay animation Mentor and guide animation team members 🎯 Requirements: Experienced Principal or senior gameplay/technical animator Strong in motion matching, keyframe & mocap animation Skilled in Maya/MotionBuilder and Unreal Engine (or similar) Deep understanding of character, movement, and animation pipelines Excellent communication and collaboration skills 💡 Bonus Skills: Creature/animal animation, facial animation, rigging, previs/prototyping, mocap direction 💎 Perks & Benefits: Discretionary bonus Hybrid working options Private medical & dental coverage 25 days holiday Inclusive and supportive culture 📩 Apply Now: Bring your animation expertise to Firesprite and help us craft unforgettable, next-gen experiences.