Senior VFX Artist (Real-time & Cinematic)

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art facilities

Performance-based bonuses

Creative studio environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior VFX Artist to craft real-time and cinematic visual effects for our client’s games and cinematic content. You will collaborate with art directors, animators, and TDs, delivering high-fidelity VFX across production pipelines.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, mastery of Houdini, Maya, 3ds Max and After Effects, and a strong understanding of Unreal Engine or Unity.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a VFX Artist with real-time and cinematic work.
• Proficiency in Houdini, Maya, 3ds Max, After Effects.
• Strong understanding of Unreal Engine or Unity VFX pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality real-time VFX for games, including particle systems, shaders, lighting, and environmental effects.
• Develop complex cinematic VFX, ensuring seamless integration with live-action footage or CGI environments.
• Collaborate with art directors, technical directors, and leads to define and achieve the desired visual style and quality for VFX.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance, ensuring smooth frame rates and efficient resource utilization in game engines.
• Troubleshoot and debug VFX elements to resolve technical issues and improve overall visual quality.
• Mentor junior VFX artists, providing guidance and feedback to foster their artistic and technical development.

Skills

VFX

Real-time VFX

Cinematic VFX

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Animation, or related field

Tools

Houdini

Maya

3ds Max

After Effects

Particle simulation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned studio celebrated for its visually stunning productions, is seeking a highly skilled Senior VFX Artist with expertise in both real-time and cinematic visual effects. This role offers a unique blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing you to contribute your exceptional artistic talents to groundbreaking projects. You will be responsible for creating breathtaking visual effects that elevate our client's games and cinematic content, working closely with a talented team of artists, animators, and technical directors. This position is based in Welkom, Free State , but offers a hybrid working arrangement, providing a balance between focused in-office teamwork and the flexibility of remote work. You will be a key player in pushing the visual fidelity of our client's projects to new heights.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality real-time VFX for games, including particle systems, shaders, lighting, and environmental effects.
• Develop complex cinematic visual effects, ensuring seamless integration with live-action footage or CGI environments.
• Collaborate with art directors, technical directors, and leads to define and achieve the desired visual style and quality for VFX.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance, ensuring smooth frame rates and efficient resource utilization in game engines.
• Troubleshoot and debug VFX elements to resolve technical issues and improve overall visual quality.
• Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and emerging techniques in real-time and cinematic VFX.
• Mentor junior VFX artists, providing guidance and feedback to foster their artistic and technical development.
• Participate actively in reviews and discussions, contributing to the creative vision of the project.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a VFX Artist, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in both real-time and cinematic effects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard VFX software such as Houdini, Maya, 3ds Max, After Effects, and particle simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their VFX pipelines.
• Expertise in particle effects, fluid dynamics, destruction, fire, smoke, and other natural phenomena simulation.
• Excellent understanding of color theory, composition, and lighting principles.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, both on-site and remotely, and adapt to hybrid work structures.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits plan.
• Employees benefit from a hybrid work model, offering a balance between collaborative office time and the flexibility of remote work.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training and workshops, are provided to keep skills sharp.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology is guaranteed.
• You will work within a creative and supportive studio environment alongside industry-leading talent.
• The role also includes performance-based bonuses and other standard employment benefits.
• This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to visually spectacular projects within the Welkom, Free State area and beyond, while enjoying the advantages of a hybrid career.