Activision Games – Hiring Expert Lighting Artist

Sledgehammer Games, renowned for the Call of Duty® franchise and other iconic titles, is seeking an experienced Expert Lighting Artist to join our Guildford studio. This role offers the unique opportunity to collaborate globally and contribute to groundbreaking AAA projects that push the boundaries of gaming storytelling and visual fidelity.

At Sledgehammer Games, lighting is more than illumination — it’s the art of mood, emotion, and storytelling. As part of our Lighting team, you will work closely with Art Directors and other disciplines to deliver cinematic-quality visuals that enhance player experiences.

Job Summary : Expert Lighting Artist

Key Responsibilities:

• Create gameplay and cinematic lighting based on Art Director direction.
• Ensure lighting assets meet runtime and disk budget requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Character, VFX, and Environment teams.
• Develop workflows, pipelines, and best practices for the lighting team.
• Mentor and inspire junior lighting artists.
• Work with rendering engineers to advance engine capabilities.
• Design sky domes, cloud assets, and atmospheric lighting.
• Maintain high-quality standards while creatively pushing industry boundaries.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Extensive lighting experience in the gaming industry.
• Strong knowledge of Maya, Photoshop, or equivalent tools.
• Deep understanding of physically based rendering (PBR) and lighting theory.
• Experience with Unreal, Unity, or proprietary engines.
• Knowledge of colour grading, post effects, and composition.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with HDR lighting, ray tracing/path tracing systems.
• Passion for AAA games and storytelling.

Bonus Skills:

• Programming/scripting (Python, C++, etc.).
• Houdini experience.
• Knowledge of photography principles.
• Experience with Call of Duty® or FPS games.

Why Join Us:

At Activision Blizzard, we create some of the most beloved game franchises in the world, including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, and Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™. Sledgehammer Games prides itself on innovation, collaboration, and diversity. We believe great ideas come from every team member and actively foster a creative, inclusive environment.

We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those who may not meet every qualification listed.

📩 Apply now and help us redefine the future of gaming.

Learn more: https://www.sledgehammergames.com/