Real-Time VFX Artist for AAA Games (Auckland)

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc.; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is seeking a VFX Artist for on-site work in Auckland, New Zealand. The role focuses on creating real-time VFX for gameplay, collaborating with designers, engineers, and artists to communicate intent and enhance immersion.

You will develop particle systems, shaders, textures, and animations, while balancing quality with performance and adapting assets to our game pipelines. This is a full-time, temporary position based at our Auckland studio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art, Animation, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in VFX production.
• Contribution to at least one shipped AAA title as a VFX or FX Artist.
• A portfolio or demo reel demonstrating strong real-time VFX, visual judgment, and technical understanding.
• Understanding of VFX production pipelines and performance constraints of real-time game development.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage assignments, meet deadlines, and respond constructively to feedback.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement high-quality real-time VFX including particle systems, shaders, textures, geometry, and animated elements.
• Develop effects that support gameplay readability, storytelling, and the project’s visual style.
• Simulate believable dynamics and create effects suited to the project’s artistic direction.
• Collaborate with designers to develop effects for combat, abilities, environmental interactions, and other gameplay systems.
• Balance visual quality with performance requirements and platform limitations.
• Troubleshoot VFX issues and resolve implementation challenges with engineers and tech artists.
• Contribute to tools, workflows, and processes that improve the VFX production pipeline.
• Adapt assets and workflows to established or proprietary game pipelines.
• Maintain organized assets in source control and follow project naming, documentation, and submission standards.
• Communicate progress, dependencies, and potential obstacles to project leads and production.
• Incorporate feedback efficiently while maintaining visual consistency and quality.
• Continue developing knowledge of VFX tools and industry techniques.
• Support other relevant project and department responsibilities as needed.

Skills

VFX Production

Real-time VFX

Team Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art/Animation

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Houdini

Maya nCloth

FumeFX

EmberGen

Houdini Pyro

Photoshop

Substance Designer

After Effects

Nuke

Job description

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is seeking a VFX Artist for on-site work in Auckland, New Zealand. The role focuses on creating real-time VFX for gameplay, collaborating with designers, engineers, and artists to communicate intent and enhance immersion.

You will develop particle systems, shaders, textures, and animations, while balancing quality with performance and adapting assets to our game pipelines. This is a full-time, temporary position based at our Auckland studio.