One of US hiring Lighting TD (Technical Director)
About the Role At One of Us, we believe every frame should tell a story — illuminated with care, precision, and creativity. As a Lighting TD, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the final look of our shots, ensuring seamless integration and cinematic quality. You’ll work primarily in Houdini using Arnold to create photorealistic lighting setups that enhance storytelling, emotion, and atmosphere. This is an opportunity to work within one of London’s most respected VFX studios, collaborating with world-class artists who bring stunning visuals to life across feature films, episodic series, and commercials. You’ll be part of a supportive team that values artistry, innovation, and technical mastery, all while working in a studio culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and personal growth. Key Responsibilities Shot Lighting:Light shots using Houdini’s SOP-based workflows and Arnold, achieving high-quality, production-ready renders. Look Development & Matching:Match lighting styles, mood, and tone based on established references or templates. Maintain consistency across sequences to ensure visual continuity. Integration with Compositing:Deliver renders that integrate seamlessly into compositing. Review slap comps, render passes, and make adjustments to ensure your shots hold up in the final composite. Problem Solving:Troubleshoot render issues, missing assets, and pipeline inconsistencies. Work closely with FX, layout, and comp teams to find efficient solutions and ensure pipeline harmony. Collaboration:Partner with artists across departments to align lighting with the creative and technical needs of each shot. Contribute to the studio’s collaborative spirit by openly sharing feedback and ideas. Optimisation:Ensure lighting scenes are optimized for render efficiency, maintaining clean and manageable caches for farm submission. Deliver noise-free renders that meet both creative and technical standards. Scene Organization:Maintain tidy scene setups with clear naming conventions, version control, and logical structure for easy handoff between departments. Feedback & Iteration:Respond constructively to notes from leads and supervisors. Work iteratively, refining your shots until they meet the desired creative and technical quality. Communication:Keep your leads and production team informed about progress. Flag blockers early and communicate effectively to maintain smooth workflows. Proactivity & Time Management:Take ownership of your tasks, prioritize effectively, and manage time efficiently. Be proactive in identifying issues before they escalate and contribute solutions that benefit the wider team. What We’re Looking For Proficient in Houdini, particularly SOP-based lighting workflows. Advanced knowledge of Arnold rendering and render optimization techniques. Strong understanding of light, shadow, colour theory, and photorealistic rendering. Good grasp of AOVs, render settings, and scene management practices. Familiarity with USD/LOPs workflows in Houdini is highly desirable. Experience troubleshooting render and lighting automation systems. Karma experience is a plus. Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to both give and receive feedback constructively. Proven ability to manage time, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities. 3–4 years of experience in a VFX studio or related production environment. A proactive mindset, eager to find ways to improve workflow efficiency and visual quality. Positive, respectful attitude with a passion for working as part of a creative team. What We Offer At One of Us, we believe in taking care of our people — both inside and outside of work. Here’s what you can expect: 🌴 25 days of paid annual leave, plus UK bank holidays. 💕 2 paid volunteering days per year to support causes that matter to you. 🏠 Hybrid working policy – minimum 2 days onsite at our Old Street studio. 🏦 Company pension plan and life insurance coverage. 💊 Medicash healthcare plan for you and your family’s well-being. 🎉 A lively calendar full of wrap parties, social events, and creative gatherings. Working Hours & Location Our core hours are Monday to Friday, either 9:30 am to 6:30 pm or 10 am to 7 pm, depending on project needs. You’ll work from our vibrant studio in Old Street, London, at least two days a week — balancing the best of collaboration and flexibility. Eligibility & Application Applicants must have a current and valid work permit for the United Kingdom. If you require sponsorship, please indicate this clearly in your application. At One of Us, we value diverse perspectives and believe that creativity thrives in inclusive environments. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you’re passionate about lighting, storytelling, and crafting stunning visuals — and you want to work with a team that values artistry, precision, and innovation — we’d love to hear from you.
