Cinematic Lighting Artist at Naughty Dog 2026

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 . 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.

Estimated Range / Details

$57.98 – $72.00 USD per hour

$120,598 – $149,760 USD (Based on 40hr week)

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Matching 401(k) program

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave

Top-tier wellness programs and Sony product discounts

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.