Lead VFX Artist

We are looking for a Lead VFX Artist to be a part of our VFX team. The Lead VFX Artist will maintain consistency across the department providing direction and feedback, ensuring all team members understand their role in the department and know what is expected of them. The right candidate will look for opportunities to enhance the player experience, embrace and provide constructive feedback while guiding the creative process; driving VFX process for game effects. This position will report to the Creative Director.

Responsibilities

• Lead the VFX team: maintain consistency across the department providing direction and feedback, ensuring all team members understand their role in the department and know what is expected of them
• Lead team meetings and relay important studio information when required
• Work closely with department manager to provide mentorship and coaching for VFX team members including but not limited to: 1:1s, career development, performance evaluations, and goal setting
• Guide the creative process; drive the concept process for game effects
• Bring in-progress and prototype effects to completion
• Work with the Art Directors and art teams to ensure artistic unity across the game
• Create real-time visual effects to enhance environments, characters, and combat
• Work with designers, engineers, and other artists in creating strong moment-to-moment gameplay
• Collaborate with other team members to ensure that assets fall within set parameters in regards to performance, best practices, and art style
• Playtest with both the studio and the VFX team to review and iterate VFX

Requirements

• 7+ years game experience in creating effects in game development with one or more shipped titles on multiple platforms
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in creating real-time effects
• Self-driven, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude
• Ability to problem-solve and prioritize issues while working with a team
• Experience with creating compelling, real-time effects using Photoshop, Maya, and/or in-game effects systems
• Knowledgeable of 3D graphics, particle systems, physics, etc.
• Experience in UE5
• Keen production sensibilities, ability to collaborate on timelines and communicate with Production and team members on task duration and prioritization
• Ability to maintain high quality and consistent progress
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and teaching skills
• Strong ability to interpret and adapt to general and flexible direction. Can thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Proficient in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender

Preferences

• Shipped one or more major titles on current generation/PC platforms as a Senior VFX artist
• Experience with AAA First Person action titles
• Previous leadership experience preferred, or senior/principal role in games environments
• Experience working with shaders and materials
• Familiarity with asset tracking and issue tracking tools such as Perforce and JIRA
• Passion for games

Benefits

Some of the benefits and perks our employees get to enjoy, include:

• 100% Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage for you and your family
• Retirement Savings Plan Matching
• Career Improvement Plan
• Flexible Work Arrangements - In-House, Hybrid, and Remote
• Generous Time Off Policy
• Company Events - In-Person + Virtual Events
• Fully Stocked Kitchen + Sponsored Food Trucks

The estimated base pay range for this role is:    $135,000 - $165,000 USD