DICE
Lighting Artist Job Overview
- Company: Electronic Arts / EA DICE
- Job Title: External Development Lighting Artist
- Employment Type: Full-time (Regular Employee)
- Location: Stockholm
- Work Model: Hybrid
- Seniority Level: Mid–Senior
- Experience Required: 3+ years shipping AAA titles (Current Gen)
- Salary: Competitive / Market-leading
- Reporting To: Art Director / Lead Lighting Artist
- Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Game Development
Job Overview
DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment), the Stockholm-based studio behind the legendary Battlefield franchise, is seeking a technically adept and artistically gifted External Development Lighting Artist. As we embark on our most ambitious project to date—a connected Battlefield universe—we are looking for a specialist who can bridge the gap between internal vision and external execution.
This role is unique in its focus on Co-development (Co-dev), requiring a professional who can maintain visual consistency and technical excellence across global partner studios while contributing hands-on to the lighting of immersive, large-scale environments.
Company Overview
Electronic Arts (EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment, developing experiences that inspire millions. At the heart of our creative engine is DICE, a studio world-renowned for its technical prowess and the creation of the Battlefield series.
Battlefield is a storied franchise that has defined the first-person shooter genre for over two decades. Today, four world-class teams—Criterion, DICE, Motive, and Ripple Effect—have united under a single banner to build the future of the franchise. Powered by Battlefield Central Technology (BCT), we are unlocking the potential of our unique DNA to create a connected universe. At DICE, we believe in the power of diversity and welcome creators from all backgrounds to help us push the boundaries of digital art, design, and technology.
Role Overview
The External Development Lighting Artist is a pivotal member of the Codevelopment Map Team. This role is designed for a lighting specialist who thrives in a collaborative environment and possesses a deep passion for world-building. You will not only be responsible for the “final look” of our maps but will also serve as a primary creative conduit between DICE and our global external partners.
Your mission is to establish shared visual goals, provide clear creative alignment, and ensure that every environment—whether produced internally or by a partner studio—meets the uncompromising quality standards of the Battlefield brand. You will balance artistic “high-impact” lighting tasks with the strategic guidance of external teams, ensuring that performance and gameplay needs are met without sacrificing visual fidelity.
Key Responsibilities
External Partner Management & Direction
Daily Collaboration: Act as the primary point of contact for global co-development teams, providing daily feedback, visual briefs, and technical support to ensure creative alignment.
Quality Assurance: Review external lighting submissions across levels and cinematics, identifying growth opportunities and providing the guidance necessary to deliver assets on time and to specification.
Strategic Oversight: Identify high-impact areas of maps where specialized lighting intervention can significantly elevate the player experience and project alignment.
Technical & Creative Implementation
Lighting Craft: Execute high-quality real-time lighting using PBR (Physically Based Rendering) principles, focusing on mood, atmosphere, and gameplay clarity.
Workflow Innovation: Collaborate with engine, graphics, and tools teams to design and implement new workflows and lighting techniques within the Frostbite engine.
Performance Optimization: Ensure all lighting setups are optimized for current-gen consoles (PS5/Xbox Series X) and high-end PCs, navigating the technical constraints of complex multiplayer environments.
Leadership & Cross-Disciplinary Integration
Internal Mentorship: Support the internal lighting team by sharing knowledge, mentoring junior artists, and enhancing the studio’s overall technical capabilities.
Stakeholder Alignment: Work closely with Art Directors, Lead Lighters, and Level Designers to ensure lighting supports mission-critical gameplay and performance targets.
Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to an inclusive, feedback-driven culture by documenting workflows and sharing expertise generously across the franchise.
Qualifications & Technical Skills
Mandatory Requirements
Proven Track Record: At least 3 years of experience in a lighting role for AAA titles, specifically shipping on current-generation hardware.
Artistic Eye: A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, materials, cinematography, and photography. You must be able to interpret complex reference and concept art accurately.
Engine Proficiency: Deep knowledge of real-time rendering engines (e.g., Frostbite, Unreal Engine 5, or Unity), with a focus on PBR shading and optimization.
Technical Specializations
Capture & Calibration: Experience with reference capture for lighting, including HDRI capture, calibration workflows, and the authoring of skydomes.
Color Grading: Familiarity with HDR color grading approaches and software, such as DaVinci Resolve.
Software Toolset: While not mandatory, knowledge of image editing or mastering software (Photoshop, Nuke) is highly beneficial.
Multiplayer Expertise: A solid understanding of the specific technical considerations for multiplayer games, including layout constraints and collision.
Leadership Expectations
While this role focuses on external development, leadership qualities are essential. You are expected to:
Lead by Example: Demonstrate a “technical artist” mindset—passionate about the mechanics of light as much as the aesthetics.
Proactive Communication: Raise potential issues or proposed solutions to Art Directors early in the production cycle.
Appetite for Leadership: While 3+ years of experience is the baseline, we are looking for individuals with the appetite to lead small teams or sub-sections of the franchise’s lighting efforts.
Benefits and Perks
At DICE, we take care of our people so they can focus on making great games.
Hybrid Work: Enjoy the best of both worlds with a balanced office and home-working model.
Global Community: Work within a truly international team where diverse perspectives are celebrated.
Professional Growth: Benefit from EA’s global scale with access to world-class tools, training, and career development opportunities.
Competitive Package: We offer a robust benefits package including health insurance, pension contributions, and performance-based bonuses.
Application Process
To be considered for this role, please submit your application through the EA Careers portal.
Portfolio Review: Your portfolio should demonstrate a strong grasp of PBR lighting and the ability to light large-scale, complex environments.
Initial Screen: A brief interview with our talent acquisition team to discuss your background and interest in co-development.
Technical Interview: A deep dive into your lighting workflow and technical problem-solving skills with members of the DICE Lighting Team.
Final Interview: A meeting with the Art Director and External Development leads to discuss cultural fit and collaborative philosophy.
To apply for this job please visit jobs.ea.com.