Website Wētā FX
Wētā FX Melbourne is officially expanding its world-class creative team! We are currently seeking expressions of interest from highly motivated and talented Lighting TD (Technical Directors) to join our onsite team for an ambitious slate of high-profile projects scheduled for 2026.
As a permanent fixture in the Australian visual effects landscape, Wētā FX Melbourne offers artists the opportunity to work on the most technologically advanced and creatively demanding feature films in the world. In this role, you won’t just be “lighting” a scene; you will be practicing digital cinematography at the highest possible level.
Job Overview: Lighting TD (Technical Director)
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Wētā FX Melbourne |
| Job Title | Lighting TD (Technical Director) |
| Primary Keyword | Wētā FX Melbourne |
| Job Type | Full-Time / Project-Based (Onsite) |
| Experience Level | 3–5+ Years in Feature Films/Episodic |
| Estimated Salary Range | $105,000 – $165,000 AUD (Based on experience) |
| Primary DCC Tools | Katana, Maya, Houdini |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia (Abbotsford Hub) |
The Role: Digital Cinematography at Wētā FX Melbourne
At Wētā FX Melbourne, the Lighting department is a diverse group of exceptionally talented artists responsible for the final aesthetic integration of all 3D elements. You will be responsible for creating light and shadow for complex assets, expansive environments, and hero characters.
Working closely with the CG Supervisor, CG Asset Lead, Art Directors, and Texture Artists, you will ensure that every shot reaches the unparalleled level of quality associated with the Wētā brand.
Key Responsibilities:
Aesthetic Integration: Harmonizing multiple image layers—photographic and computer-generated—into seamless, cohesive visuals.
Mood and Narrative: Utilizing digital lighting techniques to enhance story, character emotion, framing, and color scripts.
PBR Mastery: Applying principles of physically plausible lighting, shading, and lensing to produce high-fidelity photorealistic imagery.
Pipeline Navigation: Working within complex VFX production workflows and high-end Linux environments to deliver optimized renders.
Collaborative Problem Solving: Solving demanding shot problems independently while maintaining open communication with the wider team.
Technical Qualifications & Attributes
We are looking for artists who thrive at the intersection of technical rigor and artistic intuition. To be successful at Wētā FX Melbourne, candidates should possess:
Software Expertise: Proficiency in Katana, Maya, or Houdini. Expertise in Katana is highly valued for our lighting workflows.
Rendering Technologies: Deep knowledge of modern render engines such as Renderman, Arnold, or V-Ray.
Production Experience: A minimum of 3 to 5+ years of professional experience working on high-end feature films or major episodic series.
Technical Versatility: An understanding of Linux and an aptitude for troubleshooting complex technical hurdles in a fast-paced environment.
Artistic Eye: A strong understanding of light behavior, color science, and traditional cinematography.
Additional Preferred Skills:
Coding: Experience with Python, Lua, or C++ for workflow automation and tool customization.
Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Prior experience in Shading, FX, Compositing, or Environment Layout.
Advanced Shading: Experience constructing physically-based shading networks, particularly with MaterialX.
Simulation Interaction: Experience lighting scenes involving heavy simulations such as water, fire, or large-scale destruction.
Why Choose Wētā FX Melbourne?
Since establishing a permanent presence in Australia, Wētā FX Melbourne has become a cornerstone of the local creative economy. We believe in building a workplace experience that is second to none, where innovation and authenticity go hand-in-hand.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Wētā FX Melbourne, we celebrate diversity. We strive to create an environment where every crew member feels welcomed, respected, and appreciated.
Cutting-Edge R&D: Join a studio that is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in VFX through proprietary tools and world-class rendering technology.
Culture of Authenticity: We value open minds and encourage our team members to bring their true selves to work every day.
Salary & Industry Benchmarks (Melbourne 2026)
The visual effects industry in Australia is thriving. Below is a breakdown of projected salary standards for lighting professionals within the Melbourne hub for 2026:
| Role Seniority | Experience | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
| Junior Lighting TD | 1–3 Years | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Mid-Level Lighting TD | 3–5 Years | $95,000 – $125,000 |
| Senior Lighting TD | 5–10 Years | $125,000 – $165,000 |
| Lead / Supervisor | 10+ Years | $170,000 – $215,000+ |
Note: Final compensation is determined by the specific skill set, production history, and performance during the technical evaluation phase.
How to Express Interest
We are actively building our 2026 crew and would love to hear from you. To be eligible, you must be currently based in—or able to relocate to—Melbourne, Australia for onsite work.
Your Submission Should Include:
Updated CV/Resume: Detailing your experience with specific DCC tools and renderers.
Showreel Link: Highlighting your best lighting and look-development work.
Breakdown Sheet: Explaining your specific contributions and the technical challenges you solved.
Wētā FX Melbourne is an equal opportunity employer. We aim to provide a discrimination-free experience from the moment you apply. If there is anything we can do to make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please reach out to us at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz.
To apply for this job please visit careers.wetafx.co.nz.