FX Artist [Animation Department]

The Third Floor; Los Angeles (CA); Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Third Floor, a creative visualization studio, seeks an FX Artist for remote work on high-profile animated projects. The role involves creating stunning visual effects using Houdini and Unreal Engine while collaborating closely with various artists. Candidates should have significant experience in VFX, a solid understanding of particle systems and simulations, and a balance of artistic and technical skills.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of VFX creation techniques and tools.
• Savvy tech-mindset, capable of quick adaptation.
• Substantial games industry experience required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Character, Environment, and Lighting artists to create relevant effects.
• Generate VFX documentation for the real-time pipeline.
• Troubleshoot VFX-related bugs and optimizations.

Skills

Particle systems

Lighting

Texture/UV animation

Dynamics and simulations

Material setup

Artistic and technical skills

Education

Minimum 5 years’ experience as a VFX artist

Traditional art or animation background

Experience with video games or Feature Film

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Unreal Engine

FumeFX

Blueprint

Job description

The Third Floor is a visualization studio founded by artists, for artists. We offer a fun and creative culture where our talent can grow and thrive. From coffee Wednesdays to our learning and development opportunities, generous benefits, and more ... we know your experience at TTF will be unlike any other studio! Check out our openings today!

If you do apply, please know we are excited to consider your application and know your time is precious. We are unable to reply to all candidates but if we have questions or think you’d possibly be a good fit for the position, someone from recruiting will be in touch!

THE THIRD FLOOR is the world’s leading visualization company with offices in Los Angeles and London as well as on location with productions around the world. Since 2004, the studio has helped clients visualize and maximize content by producing computer-animated blueprints, known as “previsualizations”. The Third Floor is a fun, creative company founded by artists, for artists. We work on extremely high-profile projects, while maintaining a small studio culture. The company has won multiple Emmy and VES awards for its work. Recent projects include Avatar: The Way of Water, House of the Dragon, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, For All Mankind, Masters of the Air, and many more.

The Third Floor Los Angeles is looking for an FX Artist who will help produce final imagery for Long Form Animated Content in a stylized, cinema-quality. The ideal candidate will develop visual effects (fluids, fire, smoke, explosions, etc.) using Houdini, as well as other external packages for execution in Unreal for a variety of projects and platforms.

Project Based. Full Time. Remote Position ~ September 2025 - November 2025.

Must be in the state of California, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York (Outside NYC), Colorado, Washington, or Canada for remote positions.

Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the Character, Environment and Lighting artists to create effects that are relevant, and grounded in the environment.
• Create efficient, artistic, and compelling FX in Houdini, utilizing Unreal/other External Packages for execution.
• Work with Level Designers and Technical Artists to make VFX that are functional and efficient.
• Generate VFX documentation for the TTF real-time pipeline.
• Coordinate with Art, Design and Animation to ensure VFX vision and quality expectations are met.
• Troubleshoot VFX-related bug fixes and optimizations.
• Assist with R&D as it relates to creation of VFX for real-time productions at TTF.
• Stay current with industry real-time VFX techniques.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a VFX artist. Experience with video games and/or Feature Film is recommended.
• Strong understanding of particle systems, lighting, texture/UV animation, sprite animation, dynamics and simulations, & material setup.
• Able to paint VFX textures from scratch and match an established style.
• Savvy tech-mindset, capable of quick adaptation and a go-getter.
• Substantial games industry experience, including a VFX art credit on at least one published title.
• Experience with creating VFX for Unreal Engine.
• Excellent knowledge of Python, particularly Python for Maya.
• Experience with Houdini, Maya, and FumeFX (or similar fluid simulation system).
• Experience with fluid simulation in FumeFX (or similar).
• Experience with creating high quality VFX in Unreal, Houdini, and Maya.
• Experience working with Blueprint.
• A good balance between artistic and technical skills is a must.
• Traditional art or animation background, as well as experience creating and using real-time shaders is a plus.

The pay scale is between $30 - 70/ hour, based on experience, skillset and other factors, plus additional Perks and Benefits.

U.S. & Canada Applicants only: TTF participates in E-Verify and we will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All documents provided for proof of work authorization must be current and unexpired. We cannot accept expired proof of identity.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, TTF is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.