Hangar 13, the renowned studio behind the critically acclaimed Mafia franchise, is seeking a visionary Lead Lighting Artist to join our premier development team in Brighton, UK. This is a pivotal leadership role designed for a creative powerhouse who excels at the intersection of cinematic storytelling and cutting-edge real-time technology.

As we embark on the next chapter of AAA narrative-driven gaming, we are looking for an individual who can harness the full potential of Unreal Engine 5 to craft atmospheric, immersive, and emotionally resonant worlds.

Who We Are: The Hangar 13 Legacy

At Hangar 13, we are more than just game developers; we are digital storytellers. Our studio culture is built on the pillars of rich narrative, cinematic presentation, and world-class craftsmanship. Based in the vibrant seaside city of Brighton, our team is a melting pot of diverse talent united by a shared love for style, adventure, and technical excellence.

We believe that lighting is the “silent narrator” of the player’s journey. It guides the eye, sets the pulse of the scene, and bridges the gap between gameplay and cinema. If you are a professional who thrives in a collaborative, high-stakes environment and is eager to shape the visual identity of a major franchise, you belong here.

Gameplay Animator jobs Brighton – Hangar 13

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Hangar 13 | Senior Technical Animator (Gameplay)

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Detailed Role Responsibilities

The Lead Lighting Artist serves as both a creative director for the lighting department and a technical bridge to the engineering team. Your responsibilities are divided into four core pillars:

1. Artistic Vision and Quality Control

• Defining the Look: In close collaboration with the Franchise Art Director, you will help define the visual language of the game. This involves establishing mood boards, color scripts, and lighting guides that align with the narrative themes.
• Standard Setting: You will be responsible for setting the “Gold Standard” for all real-time lighting. This includes creating benchmark levels that serve as a reference for the rest of the team.
• Visual Storytelling: Beyond mere visibility, you will use light to enhance composition, player pathfinding, and emotional impact, ensuring every frame feels like a piece of high-end cinema.

2. Multi-Disciplinary Content Creation

• Gameplay & Cinematics: You will oversee the lighting for sprawling open worlds and intimate, performance-captured cinematics, ensuring a seamless visual transition between the two.
• Marketing & Promotion: Working with the marketing department, you will lead the creation of high-fidelity promotional assets, trailers, and key art, ensuring the game’s public-facing image is as polished as the final product.
• Post-Processing: Directing the “final look” through expert use of tone mapping, color grading, bloom, and depth of field.

3. Technical Leadership in Unreal Engine 5

• Engine Mastery: You will act as the studio’s subject matter expert on UE5 lighting features, including Lumen (Global Illumination), Virtual Shadow Maps (VSM), and Nanite integration.
• Pipeline Optimization: Partner with Technical Artists and Graphics Engineers to build and refine tools that streamline the lighting workflow. You will identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to keep the creative process fluid.
• Performance Management: High-end visuals must run at target frame rates. You will take ownership of lighting budgets, profiling scenes, and finding clever ways to achieve “the look” without compromising performance.

4. Mentorship and Team Management

• People Development: You will lead a team of talented lighting artists, providing regular feedback, conducting reviews, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Production Planning: Work with Producers to scope out tasks, identify dependencies, and manage deadlines to ensure the lighting department remains on track throughout the development cycle.

Essential Requirements

• Proven Track Record: You must have a portfolio that demonstrates a mastery of real-time lighting. We are looking for candidates who have shipped at least one AAA title in a Lead or Senior capacity.
• UE5 Expertise: Extensive hands-on experience with Unreal Engine 5 is non-negotiable. You should be deeply familiar with its modern lighting systems and how to push them to their limits.
• Scientific Foundation: A solid understanding of Physically Based Rendering (PBR), real-world lighting physics, and the technicalities of HDR photography/sky capture.
• The “Eye”: An exceptional eye for color, contrast, and cinematic composition. You understand the “why” behind the light, not just the “how.”

Highly Desirable Attributes

• Cinematic Background: Experience with traditional cinematography, film lighting, or photography is a massive plus.
• Custom Pipelines: Familiarity with modifying or extending Unreal’s rendering capabilities through custom shaders or C++.
• Communication: The ability to translate complex technical lighting concepts into layman’s terms for producers and directors, and vice-versa for engineers.

Work Environment and Benefits

Hangar 13 is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that our games are better when they are made by people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

• Location: Our Brighton office offers a creative hub in one of the UK’s most culturally vibrant cities, known for its arts scene and tech community.
• Collaboration: You will work in a cross-functional environment where your voice is heard and your expertise is respected.
• Growth: We provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to work with some of the most advanced technology in the industry.
• Equality: We are an equal-opportunity employer. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Security and Recruitment Integrity

Important Note: Hangar 13 and 2K Games prioritize your security. We will never contact you via instant messaging apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) for interviews or job offers. All official communication will come through verified company email addresses and portals.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead the charge in creating the next generation of cinematic gaming, we want to see your work. Please submit your application including:

1. Updated CV/Resume.
2. Portfolio/Showreel Link: Highlighting your UE5 lighting work, specifically gameplay and cinematic examples.
3. Cover Letter: Briefly explaining your leadership philosophy and why you are the right fit for Hangar 13.