3D Game Lighting Artist/Environment Designer

We are Grinding Gear Games, creators of the award-winning dark fantasy Action RPG Path of Exile. We're a studio of 165 world-class developers based in Auckland, New Zealand and we're currently expanding the Path of Exile 2 development team.

We seek a 3D Game Lighting Artist/Environment Designer to join us in Henderson, Auckland to create atmospheric rooms, levels and lighting for Path of Exile. 

     Location:    Onsite in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand
                         *Relocation assistance if required

Responsibilities:

• Use artistic and technical skills to create game-play and in-game cinematic lighting, maintaining a consistent aesthetic across your work in all the areas in the game and related material, like trailers. 
• Take direction from the Art Director and Lighting Lead
• Ensure your lighting assets meet runtime and disk budgeting requirements.
• Work collaboratively with other departments, especially Environment, Animation, VFX and production.
• Work in and maintain an efficient organisational structure for all lighting assets.
• Be aware of project/task schedules and deliver work to deadlines
• Attend regular team meetings, providing updated status and progress of your deliverables.

Requirements:

• 1 year minimum experience in a professional video game studio production pipeline. 
• A firm grasp of colour, materials and light as it relates to level design and lighting in games. 
• Experience with level or room creation in games.
• Understanding how to create efficient and impactful lighting that enhances narratives.
• Working knowledge of Maya and real-time game authoring environments like the Path of Exile hideout creation tool.
• Passion and ability to light realistic, ‘dark and gritty’ visually appealing scenes and environments like dungeons and ancient ruins.
• Good understanding of lighting fundamentals.
• Sound knowledge of colour theory and a strong sense of light and shadow.
• Sound technical skills and highly organised
• Ability to take constructive criticism and maintain a professional attitude.
• Proactive and self-reliant with good problem-solving skills
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to work within a team environment
• Portfolio, and/or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills required. 
• Must be willing to complete a lighting test if requested to do so.

Pluses:

• An avid gamer, experienced with Path Of Exile and its dark and gritty themes
• Photography enthusiast/hobbyist
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent art/photography portfolio
• Experience leading and/or mentoring
• TD skills

How to apply:

Send us an email with a cover letter and your CV including link/s to your portfolio/reel (whichever is relevant to the role you are applying for). 

Email your cover letter and resume to: jobs@grindinggear.com with your name + position you are applying for in the subject line.

No phone calls or agencies, please.