People Can Fly (PCF) , a legendary name in the AAA shooter genre with over 20 years of experience, is seeking a visionary Lead Lighting Artist to join our Montreal hub. This role is primarily focused on one of the most prestigious franchises in gaming history: Gears of War (Gears of War: E-Day) , as well as our unannounced collaboration with Microsoft, Project Maverick . We are looking for a leader who can master the interplay of light, shadow, and color to drive narrative storytelling and cinematic excellence in the Unreal Engine. Category Details Company Name People Can Fly (PCF) Position Title Lead Lighting Artist (Chef d’équipe, artiste éclairagiste) Job Type Full-Time, Permanent Key Projects Gears of War: E-Day & Project Maverick Primary Location 405 Av. Ogilvy, Montréal, QC H3N 1M3, Canada Work Model Remote / Hybrid / On-site (Flexible Options) Department Art Experience Level 7+ Years Industry Experience Language Requirement Proficiency in English (Global Team Integration) Note: Leadership salaries in the Montreal AAA market reflect the high level of technical and managerial expertise required for world‑class titles. Annual Salary Range Competitive AAA Leadership Standard (Based on Portfolio) RRSP Matching 4% Match (100% Vested from Day 1) Health Insurance 100% Employer-Paid (Individual and Family Coverage) Claims Reimbursement 100% reimbursement (up to $1,000 per service/year ) Dental & Orthodontics Full coverage, including major dental and orthodontic work Paid Time Off 20 Vacation Days + 5 Sick Days Winter Shutdown Fully paid week off during the Winter Holiday season Virtual Health Free virtual healthcare and mental well‑being for dependents Since its inception in 2002, People Can Fly has been a powerhouse in the action‑shooter space. With a portfolio featuring Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Outriders, and the critically acclaimed Gears of War: Judgment, we have solidified our status as one of the world’s most experienced Unreal Engine developers. Our global team spans Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. We are currently expanding our horizons with internal solutions like the PCF Framework and working on massive collaborations with Microsoft and Square Enix. Joining PCF means working on the front lines of AAA development, where technical mastery meets creative audacity. Detailed Job Responsibilities As the Lead Lighting Artist, you are the bridge between the Art Director’s concept and the final player experience. Team Mentorship: Lead and inspire a team of lighting artists, fostering a creative atmosphere that encourages professional growth and high‑end results. Aesthetic Direction: Maintain the visual signature of the game, executing lighting and shading schemes that align with the project’s universe and emotional tone. Atmospheric Storytelling: Use light, color, and mood as narrative tools to guide the player’s eye and reinforce the story being told in playable levels and cinematics. Standard Setting: Establish lighting standards, quality targets, and visual prototypes that serve as the benchmark for the rest of the art team. 2. Production & Technical Execution You will manage the pipeline to ensure visual beauty never compromises technical performance: Level & Cinematic Lighting: Execute lighting for complex scenes and cinematics based on concept art, photography, and narrative briefs. Performance Optimization: Collaborate with technical art and engineering to profile levels, ensuring lighting work stays within performance budgets for current‑generation consoles. System Development: Build comprehensive lighting systems using Blueprints and other custom PCF Framework tools. Bug Management: Oversee bug fixing and document R&D case studies in the studio knowledge base to prevent future pipeline bottlenecks. Storytelling in Gears of War is a massive, multi‑disciplinary effort. You will: Inter‑departmental Liaison: Work closely with VFX Artists, Level Designers, and Environment Artists to create a cohesive and breathtaking AAA experience. R&D Initiatives: Drive research into new lighting techniques and procedural workflows, staying ahead of industry trends in both film and games. Production Alignment: Work with the production team to assign tasks and define schedules that respect a healthy work‑life balance for your team. 4. Talent & People Management As a Lead, you are responsible for the health and growth of the lighting department: Recruitment: Partner with HR to identify, interview, and recruit top‑tier lighting talent. Performance Reviews: Conduct consistent performance and compensation reviews, ensuring fair recognition for team contributions. Onboarding: Lead the integration of new hires, ensuring they understand PCF’s specific Unreal Engine workflows. Industry Veteran: 7+ years in console or PC game development, with a minimum of 5 years specifically in Unreal Engine . Leadership History: Prior experience in a leadership capacity (Lead, Assistant Lead, or Senior Mentor). Technical Mastery: In‑depth understanding of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) workflows and current console (PS5/Xbox Series X) limitations. Core Artistic & Technical Skills DCC Mastery: Expert knowledge of Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop, or equivalent industry‑standard software. Cinematic Eye: A deep understanding of photography concepts (EV, ISO, Shutter Speed) and traditional art skills (Form, Color, Texture). Portfolio Excellence: A world‑class portfolio showcasing both environmental (global) and character (local) lighting in a AAA engine. Adaptability: The ability to pivot between different art styles and develop custom workflows with minimal guidance. Tools & Software Primary Tools: Unreal Engine (Mastery), Photoshop. Scripting: Ability to create lighting logic via Blueprints or custom scripts. Montreal is one of the world’s greatest hubs for game development, and PCF is one of its most innovative studios. 1. Unrivaled Projects You won’t just be making another game. You will be working on Gears of War: E-Day , contributing to a franchise that defined the cover‑shooter genre, and Project Maverick , an unannounced project with Microsoft that promises to push AAA boundaries. 2. The “People First” Philosophy We offer a 100% employer‑paid benefits package because we believe our people shouldn’t have to worry about the basics. Our Remote Work Program is one of the most robust in the industry, allowing you to work from home across Canada while still being a core part of the Montreal culture. With 100% vesting in our RRSP program from Day 1 and a mandatory winter holiday shutdown, we provide both the financial future and the rest periods you need for a long‑term, sustainable career in high‑end gaming. Application Requirements Comprehensive Portfolio: A link to your portfolio or demo reel showcasing AAA lighting work. Professional Resume: Highlighting your leadership experience and specific Unreal Engine project history. Language Confirmation: English proficiency is mandatory for this global role. Lead the Light At People Can Fly , we don’t just illuminate scenes; we create worlds. If you have the eye of a cinematographer and the heart of a leader, we want you to help us light the next generation of action games. Apply today and help us define the look of Project Maverick and Gears of War. #J-18808-Ljbffr