Principal VFX Artist

Lighthouse Games; Royal Leamington Spa; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Lighthouse Games is a new AAA studio in Leamington Spa. We are defined by our pedigree of talent, and serious ambition to build a new best-in-class game. When you join us at Lighthouse, you will be able to create the best work of your career, in an environment that feels truly collaborative. You will learn from the best, and work alongside the future greats of the gaming industry.

As Principal VFX Artist, you will play a pivotal role in elevating the quality and immersion of all VFX elements within our games. We are committed to crafting unforgettable player experiences, and we are seeking individuals with a keen eye for detail and a passion for breathing life into our worlds through wondrous VFX. In this role, you will match the standard of excellence while fostering a collaborative approach with colleagues in your team and other departments.

Key Duties Include

1. Collaborate with the Art Director and cross-disciplinary teams to help shape and execute the vision for VFX in our games, ensuring alignment with creative and technical requirements
2. Establish the quality benchmark with your team offering mentorship and support among team members
3. Drive the development and implementation of efficient pipelines and processes to optimise the creation and integration of VFX content
4. Engage in all aspects of planning and budgeting related to VFX production, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to achieve project goals
5. Maintain clear and open communication channels with team members to foster collaboration and ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines
6. Stay up to date of industry trends and emerging technologies in VFX production, sharing insights and knowledge to advance our practices and workflows
7. Actively contribute to the growth and development of the studio, leveraging your expertise to shape our presence in the gaming landscape

Minimum Requirements

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate ideas and collaborate effectively with diverse teams
2. Shipped one or more games in a Senior, Principal or Lead VFX Artist capacity, demonstrating a track record of delivering high-quality VFX content in realistic styled games
3. Strong collaborative skills and a genuine understanding of people dynamics, fostering a culture of mutual support and excellence
4. An outstanding portfolio showcasing recent examples of VFX artistry and a deep understanding of the principles that underpin successful VFX design
5. Proficiency with standard content authoring tools used in games, coupled with a proven ability to produce optimised VFX content

Desirable

1. Experience working with Unreal Game Engine, with a particular emphasis on tools such as Niagara
2. Experience with software tools like Houdini/EmberGen for VFX authoring
3. Proficiency in authoring shaders for VFX, either HLSL or node-based systems (UE4/5)

Benefits

1. 25 Days Holiday, plus 1 day for your birthday
2. Studio Shutdown between Christmas and New Year
3. Discretionary Bonus Scheme
4. Private Pension Scheme
5. Private Healthcare
6. Health and Well-Being Benefits
7. Dental Care
8. Optical treatments
9. Mental Health Support