Lead VFX Artist

Activision Blizzard Inc.; Cataluña; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is seeking a Lead VFX Artist in Barcelona to head the VFX team for AAA titles.

You will design and implement real-time particle effects, push technical boundaries and coordinate with artists, designers, and programmers to ensure top-quality visuals across projects. The ideal candidate has senior/expert level experience in game VFX, a strong portfolio, and proven leadership in a studio environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading VFX teams on AAA games.
• Strong portfolio of real-time VFX work.
• Experience with console/PC optimization.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with artists, designers and programmers.
• Proven ability to balance operations and management.

Responsibilities

• Design, create and implement particle effects and systems.
• Create VFX that communicate essential game information.
• Push technical boundaries for AAA worthy VFX.
• Collaborate with artists, designers and programmers to ensure high quality visuals.
• Improve tools by proposing features and feedback on usability.
• Guide and provide feedback to team members and foster growth.
• Communicate risks and updates across the studio.

Skills

Real-time VFX

Shuriken/Niagara/Cascade

Team leadership

English communication

AAA game experience

Portfolio demonstration

Proactive problem solving

Engine collaboration

Education

Senior/Expert-level game VFX

Tools

Shuriken

Cascade/Particle Graph/ 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?

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.

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)

Additional skills

• 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! At Activision, we know that great talent comes in many forms, and we believe in the potential of passionate people with diverse experiences.

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.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is the world’s largest interactive entertainment company, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Skylanders®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet! We’re proud to be recognized as one of FORTUNE’s \"100 Best Companies To Work For®” for five consecutive years and have earned a spot on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies,” and “Future 50” lists. Our 10,000+ global employees are some of the best and brightest talents across entertainment, media, and technology.