Netflix Animation hiring Lighting Artist all levels, Australia

Job Overview

• Company Name: Netflix Animation Studios
• Job Title: Lighting Artist (All Levels)
• Location: Sydney
• Work Type: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days per week onsite)
• Department: Feature Animation – Lighting & Compositing
• Core Software: Katana, Houdini, Nuke
• Key Relationships: VFX Supervisor, Production Designer, Lighting Lead
• Estimated Salary Range: $105,000 – $175,000 AUD (Based on seniority and experience)

Netflix Animation Studios (NAS) is currently seeking visionary Lighting Artists to join our Feature Animation team in Sydney, Australia. As we continue to redefine the boundaries of digital storytelling, we are looking for artists who can manipulate light and shadow to evoke emotion, guide the viewer’s eye, and solidify the cinematic language of our upcoming animated features.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the role, the studio’s technical ecosystem, and the socio-economic landscape of the animation industry in 2026.

The Role: Painting with Light

At Netflix Animation, the Lighting Artist is more than a technician; they are a digital cinematographer. You are the final gatekeeper of the image, responsible for integrating characters, environments, and effects into a cohesive, breathtaking frame. This role requires a sophisticated understanding of how light interacts with materials (Surfacing) and how those elements are ultimately layered together (Compositing).

You will be tasked with interpreting the high-level vision of the Director and Production Designer, translating 2D color scripts into a fully realized 3D atmosphere. Whether you are establishing a high-noon desert sequence or a moody, neon-drenched interior, your work defines the “mood” of the film.

Core Responsibilities

1. Sequence & Shot Lighting

• Artistic Execution: Navigate the full pipeline from initial shot lighting to final render, ensuring every frame meets the film’s established “look.”

• Rig Adaptation: Work with Lighting Leads to modify and optimize existing lighting rigs, ensuring they are efficient enough for the render farm while remaining artistically flexible.

• Cinematographic Integrity: Maintain a deep focus on cinematic elements such as depth of field, atmospheric haze, and color balance to support the narrative.

2. Advanced Compositing

• Nuke Workflow: Use Nuke to expertly composite separate render layers (AOV’s) into a final image. You will be responsible for color grading, technical fixes, and adding 2D elements that enhance the 3D render.

• Visual Problem Solving: Use in-house tools to tackle complex visual challenges, providing feedback to the R&D team on new tool developments.

3. Communication & Synergy

• Feedback Loops: Maintain an open, humble dialogue with Supervisors and Leads. The ability to pivot based on creative notes is essential for the fast-paced environment of feature production.

• Pipeline Citizenship: Collaborate with upstream departments (Surfacing, FX) and downstream (Technical Directors) to ensure a smooth asset flow.

Requirements: Technical & Creative Standards

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate a balance of “right-brain” creativity and “left-brain” technical logic.

• Professional Experience: A proven track record in feature-length animation, high-end VFX, or premium episodic series.

• Technical Stack: Proficiency in node-based lighting software. While we value versatility, specific experience in Katana or Houdini is highly preferred. Mastery of Nuke for final compositing is mandatory.

• Artistic Eye: A comprehensive knowledge of cinematography, including lighting history, lens choices, and classical art theory.

• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple shots simultaneously under tight production deadlines.

Industry Insights: Diversity, Demographics, and Inclusion

Netflix Animation Studios is deeply committed to building a workforce that reflects our global audience. To understand the importance of our “Inclusion” value, it is helpful to look at the current demographic data within the global and Australian animation sectors.

Diversity and Representation Statistics (Approximate 2025-2026 Data)

The animation industry has historically faced challenges regarding diversity in technical roles. According to recent industry surveys (e.g., The Animation Guild and Screen Australia):

• Gender Distribution: In technical roles like Lighting and FX, women represent approximately 24% to 28% of the workforce globally. In Australia, recent initiatives have pushed this toward 32% in junior-to-mid levels.

• Racial Diversity: In the US and Australian markets, representation of people of color in senior creative leadership remains an area for growth. Currently, approximately 22% of senior creative roles in major animation studios are held by individuals from underrepresented racial groups (including Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous artists).

• LGBTQ+ Visibility: The animation sector remains one of the more inclusive creative fields, with roughly 15% to 18% of workers identifying as LGBTQ+.

At Netflix, we recognize that these numbers are not just statistics—they represent the voices that shape our stories. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people of color, and the gender-diverse community to ensure our Sydney studio is a hub for varied perspectives.

Benefits & Work Culture

We offer a suite of benefits designed to support the holistic well-being of our artists:

• Health & Family: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer family-forming benefits (adoption, surrogacy, etc.) and mental health support.

• Paid Leave: Generous vacation policies, sick time, and paid leave of absence programs.

• Community: A culture of “grace and humility” where knowledge sharing is celebrated over ego. We operate on a hybrid model, allowing for 2 days of remote work to help maintain a healthy life balance.

How to Apply

Your application should include a portfolio or demo reel that showcases:

1. Beauty Shots: High-quality final frames from past projects.

2. Breakdowns: A look at your lighting setups, including how you used Nuke to reach the final image.

3. Variety: Examples of different lighting styles (e.g., stylized vs. photoreal, day vs. night).