Location: Santa Monica, California

Job Overview Company: Naughty Dog (a studio of Sony Interactive Entertainment) Job Title: Senior Lighting Artist (Cinematics) Job Type: Full-Time Location: Santa Monica, CA, USA Work Model: Hybrid / On-site Seniority Level: Senior Required Experience: 7+ Years in Games, Animation, or Film Salary Range: $143,700 – $160,000 USD (Base Pay) Reporting Structure: Lighting Lead / Art Director Industry: Video Game Development / Interactive Entertainment Executive Summary Naughty Dog, the world-renowned developer behind some of the most critically acclaimed franchises in gaming history, is seeking a visionary Senior Lighting Artist to join our elite Cinematics team. Located in Santa Monica, California, this role is a cornerstone of our storytelling process, responsible for the evocative, character-driven lighting that has become a hallmark of the Naughty Dog brand. As we continue development on our latest project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, we are looking for a veteran artist who can bridge the gap between technical innovation and cinematic artistry. The ideal candidate will possess a masterful understanding of light, color, and shadow, with the ability to translate conceptual art into breathtaking, real-time cinematic sequences. Joining Naughty Dog means becoming part of a legacy of excellence, pushing the PS5 and PC hardware to its absolute limits to create enduring experiences for a global audience. Company Overview: The Naughty Dog Legacy For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been a pioneer in the interactive entertainment industry. We are defined by a relentless pursuit of perfection, crafting best-selling titles that redefine narrative depth and technical fidelity. From the harrowing journey of The Last of Us series to the globe-trotting adventures of Uncharted, our studio “kennel” is a place where the industry’s top creative and technical minds collaborate to create magic. Our Culture and Vision: Innovation: We don’t just follow industry trends; we set them. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in real-time rendering and cinematic storytelling. Attention to Detail: We believe that the smallest nuances—a flicker of light, a speck of dust, the glint in a character’s eye—are what make a world feel alive. Diversity & Inclusion: We welcome candidates from all walks of life, believing that a broad range of cultural and life experiences is essential to creating stories that resonate globally. Current Frontier: Having successfully brought our flagship titles to the PS5 and PC, we are now focused on our new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, expanding our horizons into new worlds. Role Overview The Senior Lighting Artist at Naughty Dog is much more than a technical executor; you are a digital cinematographer. Your role is to utilize light as a narrative tool, establishing the mood, atmosphere, and emotional weight of our cinematic sequences. Working within our high-end proprietary engine, you will collaborate across departments to ensure that every frame of a cinematic sequence meets our “gold standard” of quality. You will be responsible for the high-level development of lighting schemes for both environments and complex characters, ensuring a seamless visual transition between gameplay and cutscenes. This role requires a veteran who can work with minimal direction, troubleshoot complex memory constraints, and provide a guiding light for external vendors and junior team members. Key Responsibilities Cinematic Artistry & Lighting Design Develop and implement sophisticated lighting schemes for characters and environments, working in close alignment with Directors and the Concept Art team to realize the project’s visual targets. Interpret color keys and concept art to recreate specific moods, utilizing direct and indirect light to tell a story through the environment. Maintain visual consistency and “The Naughty Dog Look” across vast, complex cinematic sequences. Cross-Departmental Collaboration Partner with the Level Lighting team to ensure that the transition from playable gameplay to cinematic sequences is visually fluid and grounded in the same world logic. Collaborate with VFX and Animation departments to ensure that particle effects and character performances are properly integrated with the lighting environment. Work with Programming and Technical Art to ensure cinematics run within strict memory budgets and performance targets without compromising the artistic vision. Vendor & Pipeline Management Lead and collaborate with outsource vendors and internal lighting artists, providing high-level feedback on visual looks and technical implementation. Contribute to the evolution of Naughty Dog’s proprietary lighting tools, providing feedback on workflows and training newer team members on best practices. Manage time-sensitive projects under pressure, ensuring milestones are met for high-profile global releases. Required Qualifications & Technical Skills Professional Background Experience: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience within the video game, animation, or film/VFX industry. Proven Track Record: Candidates must have at least one shipped AAA game title or an equivalent high-end film/VFX credit. Portfolio: A world-class demo reel or portfolio demonstrating mastery of light, shadow, composition, and cinematic storytelling. Core Technical Skills Software Mastery: Demonstrated expertise in Autodesk Maya. Post-Production & Grading: Proficiency in industry-standard color grading and compositing software such as Nuke, Fusion, or DaVinci Resolve. Artistic Fundamentals: An expert-level understanding of color theory, exposure, contrast, and the physical properties of shading/materials in relation to light. Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot lighting artifacts, performance bottlenecks, and technical pipeline hurdles. Leadership & Soft Skills Autonomy: The ability to take a sequence from concept to final polish with minimal supervision. Organizational Excellence: Exceptional time management skills and the ability to organize complex lighting hierarchies within a proprietary engine. Adaptability: The capacity to maintain high-quality standards under the pressure of tight production deadlines. Bonus Skills (Optional) Hands-on experience with Real-Time Engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, or proprietary AAA engines). Proficiency in generating light-maps, pre-lighting, or baked lighting solutions. Technical scripting ability (Python, C#, etc.) to help automate or optimize lighting workflows. Benefits and Perks Naughty Dog, as part of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), offers a premier benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our “Dogs”: Competitive Compensation: An estimated base pay range of $143,700 – $160,000 USD, plus potential bonus eligibility. Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, alongside a dedicated wellness program. Retirement: 401(k) with company matching to help secure … Read more

Cinematic Lighting Artist  Job Overview Company: Naughty Dog (Sony Interactive Entertainment) Project (Working Title): Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Role Title: Cinematic Lighting Artist (Contingent) Employment Type: Temporary Engagement via Yoh Enterprise Solutions Location: Santa Monica, California (Hybrid / Onsite) Compensation Type: Hourly (Salaried Equivalent Available) Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States Naughty Dog, the legendary studio behind some of the most critically acclaimed titles in gaming history—including The Last of Us and Uncharted—is seeking a world-class Cinematic Lighting Artist. For nearly four decades, our “kennel” has been the birthplace of industry-defining narratives and technical breakthroughs. We are currently deep in development on our next ambitious project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we are looking for a lighting specialist to help us define the next generation of real-time cinematic storytelling. As a Cinematic Lighting Artist at Naughty Dog, you are not just illuminating a scene; you are directing the player’s emotion. You will join a legacy of excellence, working alongside the industry’s most innovative minds to craft the evocative, character-driven atmospheres that have become our studio’s hallmark. Salary & Compensation Table (USD) Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) provide a highly competitive compensation structure for contingent talent, reflecting the specialized skills required to meet our “Naughty Dog Quality” standards. Component Estimated Range / Details Hourly Pay Rate $57.98 – $72.00 USD per hour Annual Equivalent $120,598 – $149,760 USD (Based on 40hr week) Health Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage Financial Security Matching 401(k) program Time Off Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave Employee Perks Top-tier wellness programs and Sony product discounts Bonus Eligibility Potential eligibility for performance-based bonus packages Detailed Responsibilities: The Art of the Narrative Glow At Naughty Dog, cinematics are the heartbeat of our storytelling. As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you are responsible for the visual continuity and emotional impact of these sequences. 1. Cinematic Look Development Atmospheric Design: Develop complex lighting schemes for characters and environments, working in lockstep with Art Directors and the Concept Art team to translate 2D color keys into 3D masterpieces. Character Portraits: Utilize proprietary tools to achieve high-fidelity “hero” lighting that emphasizes performance, skin shaders, and micro-expressions during pivotal narrative moments. Mood & Tone: Recreate the mood and atmosphere defined by the script, ensuring the lighting guides the player’s focus and reinforces the narrative stakes. 2. Technical Integration & Optimization Seamless Transitions: Collaborate with the Level Lighting team to establish a smooth visual flow between active gameplay and in-game cinematics, avoiding jarring shifts in exposure or color. Budget Management: Work across departments (VFX, Environment, Tech Art) to ensure cinematic lighting runs within strict memory budgets. You must deliver peak visual quality without compromising the game’s performance or frame rate. Problem Solving: Address technical bottlenecks in the lighting pipeline, ensuring that shadows, reflections, and global illumination are technically sound and artifact-free. 3. Vendor & Pipeline Collaboration Outsource Management: Work with external vendors and lighting partners. You will provide clear feedback, technical guidance, and workflow training to ensure external work matches Naughty Dog’s internal bar. Peer Review: Actively participate in lighting reviews, giving and receiving constructive feedback to constantly elevate the studio’s visual output. Professional Skills & Qualifications We are looking for a candidate who possesses a sophisticated eye for traditional cinematography and a deep understanding of modern real-time rendering. Core Technical Skills: Experience: Minimum of 2 years in the Games, Animation, or VFX/Film industry. Shipped Credits: Experience shipping at least one AAA game title or an equivalent high-end film/VFX project. Lighting Fundamentals: An excellent mastery of direct/indirect lighting, color theory, exposure, and contrast. You should understand how light interacts with various material types (PBR). Software Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in Autodesk Maya. Post-Production Expertise: Proficiency in industry-standard color grading software such as Nuke, Fusion, or DaVinci Resolve. Professional Attributes: Artistic Interpretation: The ability to take a loose concept sketch or a verbal brief and translate it into a fully realized, three-dimensional lighting scheme. Autonomy: The ability to work with minimal direction while maintaining a dedicated attention to detail. Pressure Management: Resilience and the ability to work under the high-pressure environment of a time-sensitive AAA production schedule. Bonus Skills (The “Dog” Factor): Real-Time Engines: Previous experience with proprietary or commercial real-time engines (Unreal, Unity, etc.). Baking & Pre-Lighting: Experience generating light-maps, pre-lighting, or baked lighting solutions. Technical Scripting: Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages to improve lighting workflows. Life at the Kennel: Why Naughty Dog? Joining Naughty Dog means joining a culture that obsesses over the details. We believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the success of our studio. Narrative Focus: You aren’t just a technician; you are a storyteller. Every light you place helps tell the story of Intergalactic. Innovation Culture: You will work with the top creative minds in the industry, utilizing proprietary tech that pushes the PS5 and PC hardware to its limits. Diverse & Inclusive: We welcome diverse candidates and strive for an environment where every individual can thrive. Santa Monica Legacy: Work in a beautiful hybrid/onsite environment in the heart of the California gaming hub. The Application Process As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates are required to submit a professional Portfolio or Demo Reel. We are looking for work that shows a sophisticated understanding of cinematic composition, character lighting, and environmental storytelling. Note: Candidates may be asked to complete a lighting-specific art test to demonstrate their technical and artistic proficiency within our standards.