Technical Artist (VFX / Shaders)

Cinnamon; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Lightfold Games in Atlanta is hiring a Technical Artist (VFX/Shaders) to design, implement, and optimize real-time visual effects and shaders for our stylized game visuals. Hybrid role based in Atlanta, with partial work-from-home flexibility, collaborating with artists, engineers, and external partners.

You will build shader graphs, prototype new techniques, and maintain consistency with the game's art direction, including cel-shading and custom shader work for a co-op horde shooter with a 2D

Qualifications

• Strong shader development experience (HLSL / Unreal material graphs).
• Portfolio showing stylized, real-time VFX work.
• Ability to collaborate across art, animation, and external partners.
• Experience with real-time rendering in game engines.

Responsibilities

• Build and refine shader graphs for stylized visuals.
• Prototype new visual techniques and optimize VFX pipeline.
• Develop post-processing pipeline for stylized look.
• Collaborate with artists, engineers, and designers.
• Document workflows and best practices.

Skills

Shader development

Real-time rendering

Collaboration

VR familiarity

Education

Related field degree

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Unity

Python

C#

Job description

Lightfold Games · Atlanta, GALightfold is a creator-first entertainment studio bringing fans and creators together to build original worlds across animation, comics, games, and more. We believe great stories come from giving talented people the freedom, ownership, and support to do their best work, then inviting audiences to come along for the ride.Now, we're building Lightfold Games.Come in on the ground floor, we're hiring to bring our 3D game development and asset production in-house and create a team that can help define not only this game, but what Lightfold Games becomes.These are hybrid positions based in Atlanta, GA (Old Fourth Ward), with health benefits. We're looking for collaborative, ambitious people who want the rare opportunity to get in early, help establish how a new studio works, and build something from the beginning.Our first game: building a co-op horde shooter with a stylized look tied to a 2D cartoon. We're hiring the full founding team at once, 11 roles in parallel, so we can move all 3D asset production in-house.Role DescriptionThe Technical Artist (VFX / Shaders) is a full-time hybrid role based in Atlanta, GA, with flexibility for partial work from home. In this role, you will design, implement, and optimize real-time visual effects and shaders for animation and game projects, ensuring they are both visually compelling and performant. You will collaborate closely with artists, engineers, and designers to translate artistic concepts into technical solutions, integrate effects into game engines, and maintain consistency with project art direction. Day-to-day tasks include building and refining shader graphs, prototyping new visual techniques, troubleshooting rendering issues, and contributing to pipeline tools that support 3D graphics and VR experiences. You will also document workflows and best practices, helping the wider team use visual effects tools efficiently.Our game pairs a stylized look with a companion 2D cartoon, and we need a Technical Artist to keep that look consistent and performant across the game. This role covers cel-shading, VFX, and custom shader work.DetailsBuild and maintain our stylized post-processing pipelineCreate "cleaning" and combat VFX that fit the game's toneDevelop custom shaders in Unreal Engine 5Keep our visuals consistent with our external animation studio's 2D styleMust Have QualificationsStrong shader development experience (HLSL / Unreal material graphs)A portfolio showing stylized, non-photorealistic rendering workAbility to work across art, animation, and external partnersMore QualificationsStrong 3D graphics skills, including shader creation, materials, and real-time rendering techniques.Experience with game development workflows and engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal) for interactive content.Proficiency in scripting for tools, effects, or pipeline automation (such as Python, C#, or similar).Understanding of lighting principles for real-time environments and cinematic scenes.Exposure to Virtual Reality (VR) development and performance considerations is highly beneficial.Relevant experience as a Technical Artist, VFX Artist, or similar role in games, animation, or interactive media.Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical ideas clearly.Portfolio or reel showcasing real-time VFX and shader work; degree in a related field (Art, Computer Science, Game Development) or equivalent practical experience.