Lead VFX Artist

Impleo; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Legends, an Activision studio in Barcelona, seeks a Lead VFX Artist to shape AAA-quality visual effects for high-profile titles. You will lead a diverse team, design and implement particle effects, and collaborate with designers and programmers to elevate the player experience.

The role requires expert knowledge of real-time VFX tools, console experience, and a proven track record of leadership in a game studio. Fluency in English and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience creating real-time VFX for AAA games.
• Leadership experience in a VFX team is a plus.
• Strong English communication and collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, create and implement particle effects and systems.
• Create astounding visual effects that communicate essential game information.
• Push technical boundaries for AAA-worth VFX across projects.
• Collaborate with artists, designers and programmers to ensure high-quality VFX.
• Improve tools by proposing new features and providing usability feedback.
• Guide and develop team members, fostering growth and collaboration.
• Provide artistic feedback and ensure consistent VFX quality.
• Communicate risks, mitigations, and updates across the studio.
• Manage VFX assets and maintain naming conventions.

Skills

Real-time VFX expertise

Console titles experience

Portfolio of VFX

Engine optimization

Team collaboration

VFX management/naming

Creative problem solving

Communication skills

English proficiency

Team leadership

Organization & delegation

Senior/Expert game studio experience

Tools

Shuriken

Particle Graph

Cascade

Niagara

Proprietary engine

Job description

Job Title: Lead VFX Artist

Requisition ID: R026554

Job Description:

Lead VFX Artist

Digital Legends is an Activision studio based in Barcelona, contributing to multiple titles within the Call of Duty franchise.

Founded in 2001, we push the boundaries of AAA gaming through creativity, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. Since we are part of the Activision and Microsoft Gaming family, our legacy includes acclaimed titles like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

Powered by a legendary team of diverse talent, a mix of industry veterans and rising stars we believe our people are our greatest asset, turning passion into unforgettable gaming experiences.

We are now looking for a Lead VFX Artist to have a crucial role in supporting our AAA games.

Ready to Activate Your Future in Barcelona, a leading gaming hub with Mediterranean lifestyle?

Your responsibilities:

• Design, create and implement particle effects and systems.
• Create astounding visual effects that communicate essential game information.
• Push the boundaries of what is technically possible to implement AAA worthy VFX that will breathe life onto the games you work on.
• Work closely with artists, designers and programmers to ensure that visual effects are of high quality and enhance the overall game experience.
• Actively seek to improve the current tools by proposing new features or giving feedback on usability.
• Guide, provide constructive feedback, and create development opportunities for team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
• Offer artistic feedback and ensure consistent visual effects quality.
• Clearly communicate risks, mitigations, and updates while maintaining effective working relationships across the studio.

Your skills:

• Experience with real-time VFX with Shuriken, Particle Graph, Cascade or Niagara.
• Experience with console titles.

• Good portfolio of effects/projects with any engine.
• Know how to optimize (for console and PC) and push boundaries to achieve excellence in every aspect of visual effects creation.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• Organized, particularly with VFX management and naming system.
• Proactive in finding creative and effective solutions to eliminate difficult problems.
• Excellent communication skills.
• High level of spoken and written English.
• Led and managed a team of VFX artists.
• Excellent at organizing and delegating, balancing operations and management effectively.
• Experience in a video game studio (Senior or Expert Level)

It’s always a plus:

• Knowledge about simulation, post-processing and shaders are good for debug, solving issues or understanding how volumetric could be translated into 2D billboards and similar tasks.
• Basic knowledge of 3D.
• Basic knowledge of textures and spritesheets.
• Having worked with a proprietary engine.

Not sure if you meet every single requirement? That’s okay!

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivalled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to one of the most beloved entertainment franchises Call of Duty®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater, this could be your opportunity to level up.