Senior VFX Artist

confidential; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental coverage

Vision care

Short/Long-term disability

Life insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Studio Wildcard is seeking a Senior VFX Artist to create high-impact, real-time VFX for ARK Survival Ascended. You will develop scalable Niagara-based effects and systems, collaborating with designers and engineers to push visual fidelity while maintaining performance.

The role requires a strong portfolio, 5+ years in game development, and experience with Unreal Engine Blueprint and VFX pipelines. Seattle-area office presence preferred.

Qualifications

• Portfolio showing real-time VFX in Unreal with Niagara
• Proficiency in fluids/pyro VFX in Houdini/Embergen/Maya/Max/Blender
• Strong knowledge of vectors, lighting, post FX and performance
• Experience implementing VFX via Unreal Blueprint and VFX systems
• Bachelor’s or equivalent in CS or Digital Arts, 5+ years in game dev
• 3 shipped AAA VFX or Technical Artist titles preferred

Responsibilities

• Create and implement high quality, performant VFX assets/systems for games
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to design VFX features
• Meet deadlines and actively collaborate on VFX goals
• Troubleshoot and fix performance issues
• Maintain organized documentation of VFX work
• Stay adaptable and positive within the studio team

Skills

Niagara real-time VFX

Blueprint scripting

Vector math expertise

Real-time lighting know-how

Performance optimization

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or Digital Art

Equivalent work exp

Tools

Unreal Engine

Houdini

Embergen

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Job description

Studio Wildcard - Seattle, WA

Open Role

Senior VFX Artist

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us build ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features, while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies. And now we're searching for an exceptionally talented and passionate Senior VFX Artist who can create high-impact work for the expanding ARK franchise.

Responsibilities

• Independently create and implement high quality, performant, and visually compelling VFX Assets/Tools/Systems for games- including real time particle systems, textures & texture atlases, shaders/materials, and scripting/Blueprints as needed
• Work closely with designers, engineers and related artists to design, implement, and troubleshoot VFX
• Be a self starter who meets deadlines and actively collaborates with team on VFX goals, prioritization, and scheduling
• Seek out, troubleshoot, and fix performance issues
• Maintain a meticulous, organized approach to creating, documenting, and sharing VFX for the team
• Have a great attitude and be a positive force at the studio- flexible and adaptive to the needs of the team

Requirements

• Portfolio of work demonstrating proficiency in creating and implementing real-time VFX using Niagara in Unreal Engine
• Proficiency in creating VFX Assets using advanced techniques like fluids/pyro/etc in a software package like Houdini/Embergen/Maya/Max/Blender/etc
• Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance issues
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine Blueprint for implementing VFX and creation of VFX Systems and Tools
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, related field or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience working in game development or related field
• At least 2 or 3 shipped AAA game as a VFX or Technical Artist

Pluses

• HLSL or equivalent shader writing language
• Houdini Knowledge
• Scripting (Python, Vex, Mel, etc.)

About Studio Wildcard

Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Wildcard is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.

Wildcard Benefits

We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (3 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options