VFX Artist (Expression of Interest)

Impleo; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a skilled VFX Artist to create real-time effects for next-generation projects. You will work with a team of designers, engineers, and artists to deliver visually compelling and performant VFX that support gameplay.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in a related field, at least two years of VFX production experience, and a portfolio demonstrating real-time VFX for shipped titles. This onsite, full-time role is based in Manizales, Colombia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art, animation, or related field or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of professional VFX production experience.
• Contributed to at least one shipped AAA title as a VFX/FX artist.
• Portfolio or demo reel showing real-time VFX, artistic judgment, and technical understanding.
• Knowledge of VFX pipelines and performance constraints in real-time games.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement high-quality real-time VFX, including particles, shaders, textures, geometry, and animated elements.
• Develop effects that support gameplay readability, storytelling, and the project's visual style.
• Simulate believable dynamics and tailor effects to the project's artistic direction.
• Collaborate with designers to craft VFX for combat, abilities, environment interactions, and gameplay systems.
• Balance visual quality with performance requirements and platform limitations.
• Troubleshoot VFX issues and optimize implementation with engineers and artists.
• Contribute to tools, workflows, and processes that improve the VFX production pipeline.
• Adapt assets to established or proprietary game pipelines and maintain organization in source control.
• Communicate progress and potential obstacles to leads and production.

Skills

VFX production

AAA title experience

Portfolio/Demo reel

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art, Animation, or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Houdini

Maya nCloth

FumeFX

EmberGen

Houdini Pyro

Substance Designer

Photoshop

After Effects

Nuke

Perforce

Job description

VFX Artists at BSG create effects that bring energy, atmosphere, and clarity to the player experience. From character abilities and combat interactions to environmental effects, their work connects artistic expression with gameplay functionality. If your experience aligns with this work, we welcome your interest in potential upcoming opportunities.

Supported by senior VFX artists and project leads, you will create, implement, and refine real-time visual effects that meet each project’s artistic direction and technical requirements. Working with artists, designers, technical artists, and engineers, you will develop effects that communicate gameplay, strengthen immersion, and perform effectively within the game.

The scope of asset ownership, pipeline development, and technical contribution will reflect your experience and demonstrated capabilities. These opportunities are for full-time, temporary positions based in Manizales, Colombia, with a fully onsite requirement at our studio.

Role and 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, including realistic or stylized treatments.

• Collaborate with designers to develop effects for combat, character abilities, environmental interactions, and other gameplay systems.

• Balance visual quality with performance requirements and platform limitations.

• Work with engineers and technical artists to troubleshoot VFX issues and resolve implementation challenges.

• 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, industry techniques, and traditional art principles.

• Support other relevant project and department responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Art, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• At least 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 the 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.

Preferred Skills

• Production-level proficiency in a 3D application such as Maya or 3ds Max.

• Production-level knowledge of Houdini.

• Experience with simulation tools such as Maya nCloth, FumeFX, EmberGen, or Houdini Pyro.

• Experience creating and implementing VFX within game engines.

• Ability to create textures using Photoshop or Substance Designer.

• Experience authoring VFX elements and sprite flipbooks using After Effects, Nuke, or comparable compositing tools.

• Understanding of shaders and materials as they apply to real-time VFX.

• Comfort working with node-based systems, scripts, and proprietary tools.

• A passion for games and the role visual effects play in the player experience.

Additional Valuable Experience

• Developing VFX in Unreal Engine 5 or Unity.

• Creating and optimizing VFX for modern consoles and PC.

• Profiling VFX performance using engine and in-game tools.

• Developing tools or automating workflows using Python, MEL, or similar scripting languages.

• Using Perforce for source control.

• Eligibility for benefits and perks may vary based on position, employment status, and location.

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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