Senior Lighting Artist at Deck 13 Interactive

Deck 13 Interactive, the visionary studio behind the high-octane “Soulslike” hits The Surge series, Lords of the Fallen, and the sweeping sands of Atlas Fallen, is on a quest for a masterful Senior Lighting Artist. Based in the tech hub of Frankfurt am Main—with flexible remote options for those residing within Germany—this role is essential to defining the mood, atmosphere, and visual narrative of our next generation of PC and console titles.

As a Senior Lighting Artist, you are the final hand that touches the frame. You bridge the gap between technical constraints and artistic ambition, using light to guide the player’s eye, emphasize level design, and evoke the deep, dramatic emotions our games are known for. At Deck 13, we prioritize “Atmosphere over Realism,” seeking artists who can craft a signature look that lingers in the player’s mind long after the console is turned off.

Key Employment Overview: Senior Lighting Artist

Our Story: A Legacy of Immersive Worlds

Founded in 2001 in Frankfurt, Deck 13 Interactive has grown from an ambitious local studio into a globally recognized developer of complex action-RPGs. Now part of the PulluP Entertainment group, we combine the creative agility of an independent studio with the robust resources of a major publisher. Our team of 100 professionals is a melting pot of cultures and talents, all unified by a single goal: pushing the boundaries of what is possible in interactive entertainment.

We don’t just build games; we build experiences. From the industrial grit of The Surge to the crumbling majesty of Lords of the Fallen, our lighting department is the key to our world-building success.

Your Quest: Responsibilities & Impact

Your role as a Senior Lighting Artist is a delicate balance of artistry and optimization. You will be responsible for:

1. Artistic Vision & Atmosphere

• Mood Crafting: Create dramatic and atmospheric lighting setups where the primary focus is conveying a specific artistic vision. You will use color, shadow, and light to tell a story before a single line of dialogue is spoken.

• Gameplay Integration: Ensure that lighting serves the gameplay. You will work to highlight paths, indicate danger, and ensure readability without sacrificing the aesthetic quality of the scene.

• Holistic Visuals: Beyond just placing lights, you will occasionally work on level geometry and skyboxes to ensure a consistent, “complete” look across diverse game environments.

2. Technical Mastery & Performance

• UE5 Workflow: Utilize the full suite of Unreal Engine 5 lighting tools. You will navigate the complexities of real-time global illumination, baked lighting, and hybrid systems.

• Optimization: In the world of high-end gaming, beauty cannot come at the cost of performance. You will balance visual fidelity with engine constraints, ensuring a smooth framerate on target platforms (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X).

• Documentation: You will help refine and document the lighting pipeline, ensuring that the entire team stays aligned on best practices and technical standards.

3. Strategic Collaboration

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: You are the glue between Environment Art, VFX, and Game Design. You will collaborate to ensure that lighting reacts naturally to character models and that VFX elements pop within the environment.

• Mentorship & Communication: As a Senior, you will communicate your ideas clearly to stakeholders and help guide junior artists through technical hurdles.

Your Toolkit: Qualifications & Experience

We value a combination of technical “know-how” and an intuitive “artistic eye.”

The Essentials:

• Proven Track Record: At least 5 years of experience in game development with a focus on lighting, including at least one successfully shipped commercial title.

• Unreal Engine 5 Expertise: A deep understanding of UE5’s lighting systems. Knowledge of Blueprints for light-based logic (flickering, triggers, day/night cycles) is highly desired.

• PBR Workflow: Proficiency in Physically Based Rendering workflows and an understanding of how light interacts with various material surfaces.

• Artistic Foundations: A strong grasp of color theory, composition, and cinematic staging. You should be as comfortable discussing “chiaroscuro” as you are discussing “draw calls.”

Extra XP (Bonus Skills):

• Familiarity with advanced shaders and custom rendering techniques.

• Prior experience in leadership or project management roles.

• Experience with visual scripting to create dynamic lighting environments.

Power-Ups: Why Join Deck 13?

We believe that creators do their best work when they feel supported, healthy, and inspired. Our benefits package is designed to provide exactly that:

• Modern Workspace: A centrally located office in Frankfurt (near Messe) with the latest hardware and collaborative zones.

• Flexibility: Monthly allowances for remote working if you choose to work from home within Germany.

• Growth & Learning: A dedicated yearly budget for learning and development, plus free language courses.

• Health & Wellness: Free access to Bloom, a mental health platform, and monthly allowances for gym memberships.

• Mobility: A monthly allowance for the Deutschlandticket, facilitating easy travel across Germany.

• Time Off: 28 days of paid vacation, plus the 24th and 31st of December are fully off.

• Extra Rewards: Tax-free Probonio vouchers available every month.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

Deck 13 Interactive is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that diverse teams create the best games, and we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or background.

How to Apply

If you are ready to illuminate the worlds of our next AAA project, we want to hear from you! Please submit your CV and a link to your lighting portfolio/showreel. We are particularly interested in seeing how you handle different times of day, interior vs. exterior lighting, and stylized vs. realistic atmospheres.