Junior Lighting Artist at Cloud Imperium Games, Manchester

Job Overview

• Company: Cloud Imperium Games (CIG)
• Position Title: Junior Lighting Artist
• Location: Manchester, United Kingdom (Onsite)
• Work Model: Full-Time
• Primary Goal: Creating cinematic, atmospheric real-time lighting
• Core Framework: Physically Based Rendering (PBR)

Cloud Imperium Games (CIG), the independent powerhouse behind the record-breaking space simulation Star Citizen and the cinematic campaign Squadron 42, is expanding its Manchester technology hub. Founded in 2012 by visionary Chris Roberts, CIG has grown into one of the largest global independent studios.

We are a community-funded company, driven by a dedicated base of backers who share our goal of building the “Best Damn Space Sim Ever.”

We are currently seeking a passionate and technically curious Lighting Artist at the Junior level to join our onsite team in Manchester. In this entry-level position, you will help define the “Cinematic Sci-Fi Realism” that makes our universe unique.

You aren’t just placing lights; you are crafting the mood, guiding the player, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a real-time environment.

The Role: Defining the Lighting Artist at CIG

As a Lighting Artist at Cloud Imperium, you occupy a critical intersection of art and technology. Your work is the final layer that brings life to the assets created by our environment and prop teams. Whether you are lighting a high-tech corporate office in the clouds of Orison or a gritty, neon-soaked alleyway in Area 18, your mission is to tell a story through light.

In this junior role, you will work under the direct mentorship of our Senior Lighting Artist team and the Lighting Lead. You will learn to navigate the complexities of our proprietary engine, developing an eye for “Mood Lighting” while respecting the rigorous performance budgets required for a massive multiplayer universe. You are the architect of the player’s visual experience, using light to lead their eye and evoke specific emotional responses.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Crafting Cinematic Scenarios

• Atmospheric Design: Create believable and immersive lighting scenarios for a wide variety of in-game locations, from vast planetary surfaces to claustrophobic ship corridors.

• Mood & Narrative: Use the Lighting Artist toolset to establish the emotional tone of a scene, ensuring it aligns with the Art Director’s vision for “Sci-Fi Realism.”

• Interactivity: Help implement player-interactive lighting, such as “chill modes” or emergency states for habitations and ships

Technical Optimization & Performance

• Budget Management: Learn the art of “paying for shadows.” You must ensure that high-quality lighting works seamlessly within real-time rendering budgets to maintain high frame rates
• Shadow Logic: Manage the cost of shadow-casting lights and draw calls, balancing visual fidelity with GPU and CPU constraints
• Real-Time Integration: Work within defined technical limits to ensure that even the most complex lighting setups—such as rotating sirens or blinking emergency lights—run smoothly

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Artistic Vision: Work closely with the Lighting Lead and Art Director to realize the project’s specific aesthetic goals.

• Environmental Synergy: Collaborate with Environment Artists to determine where light fixtures should be placed to support both gameplay and visual logic.

• Global Teamwork: As a Junior Lighting Artist, you will engage with a global team (including our German and US offices) to share knowledge and maintain visual consistency across the Star Citizen universe.

Requirements & Skillset

To excel as a Lighting Artist at Cloud Imperium, we are looking for candidates who possess a blend of artistic intuition and technical hunger.

Technical Knowledge

• PBR Mastery: A basic understanding of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) and how material shading impacts the final look of a frame.

• Cinematic Techniques: A budding knowledge of cinematic lighting principles (Key, Fill, Rim) and how to apply them in a 3D space.

• Reference Driven: An ability to use real-world reference materials to challenge your own work and improve the realism of your scenes.

Experience & Drive

• Project Portfolio: Experience in creating high-quality real-time lighting scenarios. This can include professional work, academic projects, or high-level personal portfolio pieces.

• Technical Curiosity: A genuine desire to dive into the technical “how” of lighting—from understanding light groups to mastering transitions and flicker styles.

• Team Player: A passionate, communicative approach to work. You should be comfortable receiving feedback and iterating on your work until it meets the “CIG Bar.”

Culture and Diversity Statement

Cloud Imperium Games is a global company staunchly committed to cultivating a workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. We believe the universe is as vast and varied as the people in it. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we want every Lighting Artist to bring their unique perspective to the team.

Whether you are a master of mood or a technical wizard in the making, your individuality is what makes our universe special. We encourage a culture of “outside the box” thinking and ground-breaking innovation.

Summary of Key Information

Fraud Prevention Notice

CIG is aware of fraudulent job offers. Please note that we will never ask for personal information (like bank accounts or ID numbers) via social media or chat apps. We do not request money for business equipment. If you suspect fraud, contact us at info@cloudimperiumgames.com.