Senior Lighting Artist at Electronic Arts
Company: Electronic Arts
Location: Vancouver, BC; Austin, TX; Kirkland, WA; Redwood City, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Hybrid)
Salary: BC: $111,600 – $152,800 CAD | CA: $124,100 – $182,800 USD | WA: $118,700 – $154,100 USD
About Electronic Arts & Maxis
Electronic Arts (EA) creates next-level entertainment experiences for players worldwide. At Maxis, the studio behind The Sims, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.
The Sims inspires millions of players to tell stories, build worlds, and imagine better futures through creative play. Maxis fosters a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive groundbreaking ideas.
Role Overview
As a Senior Lighting Artist, you will own and elevate real-time lighting quality across characters, environments, and gameplay experiences. You will work closely with Art Direction, Technical Art, Engineering, and Content teams to achieve and exceed visual targets within a proprietary engine.
This hybrid role requires in-studio presence three days per week in Vancouver, Austin, Kirkland, or Redwood City.
Key Responsibilities
- Improve and maintain high-quality real-time lighting standards aligned with Art Direction.
- Create physically based lighting solutions for characters, environments, and gameplay.
- Collaborate with Rendering Engineers, Technical Artists, Modelers, and VFX teams to refine lighting systems and workflows.
- Prototype and iterate on new lighting features and tools in partnership with engineering.
- Use debug tools to analyze lighting behavior and validate material accuracy.
- Establish and document best practices for PBR workflows and lighting rigs.
- Optimize lighting for performance across PC and console platforms.
- Provide training and participate in interdisciplinary art critiques.
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years of production experience as a Lighting Artist on shipped AAA titles.
- Strong knowledge of physically based rendering (PBR), real-time lighting, and materials (including subsurface scattering).
- Experience with baked and dynamic lighting workflows.
- Lighting optimization and performance profiling expertise.
- Experience working in proprietary engines and evolving production pipelines.
- Strong understanding of mood-driven lighting composition (key, fill, rim, natural lighting).
- Proficiency with tools such as Maya, Substance Painter/Designer, ZBrush, and Photoshop.
- Strong communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.
Preferred Skills
- Experience tuning or authoring shaders and shading models.
- Strong grasp of color theory, grading, and correction.
- Experience collaborating with character, object, and environment teams on advanced lighting solutions.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary ranges based on geographic location.
- Paid time off (3 weeks to start in North America).
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Life and disability insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan (US employees).
- Paid parental leave and family benefits (location dependent).
- Potential eligibility for bonus and equity.
How to Apply
Apply through the official application page below:
Required: Submit a portfolio or reel demonstrating high-quality character and environmental lighting, including mood-driven compositions in natural and architectural scenes.