VFX Artist (Mid/Senior)

Gunfire Games; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gunfire Games is seeking a VFX Artist (Mid-Level/Senior) to create and implement high-quality visual effects using Unreal Engine 5, collaborating with artists, designers, audio, and other teams to enhance environments and gameplay.

The ideal candidate has strong visual taste, can iterate quickly, and takes ownership from concept through polish. Opportunities scale with experience in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years of professional experience creating VFX for games or equivalent experience.
• Experience creating and implementing real-time VFX in Unreal Engine 5.
• Strong understanding of Niagara, particle systems, shaders, materials, Blueprints, and mesh-based effects.
• Experience creating a variety of VFX, including environmental, gameplay, character abilities, and/or cinematic effects.
• Proficiency with Photoshop and 3D Studio Max, Maya, or comparable 3D software.
• Understanding of VFX/PostFX integration and the performance considerations of real-time effects.
• Ability to iterate quickly while maintaining visual quality.
• Understanding of game production pipelines and real-time 3D game engines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and give and receive constructive feedback.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement high-quality visual effects that enhance gameplay, environments, characters, and cinematic experiences.
• Work in Unreal Engine 5 to build and implement VFX using Niagara, particle systems, shaders, Blueprints, materials, and mesh effects.
• Create a wide range of effects, from ambient environmental VFX to character abilities, gameplay effects, and cinematic sequences.
• Collaborate with artists, designers, audio, and other development disciplines to ensure VFX support the overall visual direction and player experience.
• Work with leadership and peers to iterate on effects based on feedback and project needs.
• Balance visual quality with performance requirements when creating and implementing real-time VFX.
• Troubleshoot and refine VFX to ensure they function properly and maintain a high level of visual quality in-game.
• Participate in regular team reviews and provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Adapt VFX work to changing project requirements, priorities, and production needs.

Skills

Strong artistic eye

Communication skills

Iterate quickly

Real-time VFX pipelines

Houdini

Feedback

Adapt to changing requirements

Self-motivated

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Niagara

Particle systems

Shaders

Materials

Blueprints

Mesh-based effects

Photoshop

3D Studio Max

Maya

Job description

At Gunfire Games, we’re passionate about creating unforgettable worlds and experiences. With a legacy built on titles like Darksiders 3, The Remnant Series and Chronos, we're driven by the future of game development. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and honing our craft to its finest edge. We're looking for talented, passionate people to help shape the next chapter in our story.

Gunfire Games is seeking a VFX Artist (Mid-Level/Senior) to create and implement high-quality visual effects that bring our worlds, characters, and gameplay experiences to life. You will work closely with artists, designers, audio, and other development teams to create impactful effects that enhance gameplay and support the overall visual direction of our projects.

You will create a wide range of VFX, from environmental and atmospheric effects to character abilities, gameplay effects, and cinematic moments. Using Unreal Engine 5, you will work with particle systems, shaders, Blueprints, materials, and mesh effects to build, implement, and iterate on effects throughout development.

The ideal candidate has a strong eye for visual quality, an understanding of how VFX contribute to gameplay and player experience, and the ability to iterate quickly while maintaining a high level of polish. You should be comfortable both giving and receiving feedback and collaborating with others to support the project's overall visual direction.

We're looking for a self-motivated artist who takes ownership of their work, adapts well to changing production needs, and can work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

What You’ll Do

• Create and implement high-quality visual effects that enhance gameplay, environments, characters, and cinematic experiences.
• Work in Unreal Engine 5 to build and implement VFX using Niagara, particle systems, shaders, Blueprints, materials, and mesh effects.
• Create a wide range of effects, from ambient environmental VFX to character abilities, gameplay effects, and cinematic sequences.
• Collaborate with artists, designers, audio, and other development disciplines to ensure VFX support the overall visual direction and player experience.
• Work with leadership and peers to iterate on effects based on feedback and project needs.
• Balance visual quality with performance requirements when creating and implementing real-time VFX.
• Troubleshoot and refine VFX to ensure they function properly and maintain a high level of visual quality in-game.
• Participate in regular team reviews and provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Adapt VFX work to changing project requirements, priorities, and production needs.

Who You Are:

We are open to candidates with Mid-Level or Senior-level experience, with responsibilities and expectations scaling based on experience and scope of ownership.

Mid-Level

• 2–5+ years of professional experience creating VFX for games or equivalent experience.
• Experience creating and implementing real-time VFX in Unreal Engine 5.
• Strong understanding of Niagara, particle systems, shaders, materials, Blueprints, and mesh-based effects.
• Experience creating a variety of VFX, including environmental, gameplay, character abilities, and/or cinematic effects.
• Proficiency with Photoshop and 3D Studio Max, Maya, or comparable 3D software.
• Understanding of VFX/PostFX integration and the performance considerations of real-time effects.
• Ability to iterate quickly while maintaining visual quality.
• Understanding of game production pipelines and real-time 3D game engines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and give and receive constructive feedback.

Senior

• 5+ years of professional experience creating VFX for games or equivalent experience.
• Advanced experience creating and implementing VFX in Unreal Engine 5.
• Strong understanding of Niagara, particle systems, shaders, materials, Blueprints, and mesh-based effects.
• Ability to take ownership of VFX from concept through implementation, iteration, and polish.
• Strong understanding of VFX integration, optimization, and performance considerations.
• Ability to create a broad range of VFX, including environmental, gameplay, character abilities, and cinematic effects.
• Strong understanding of 3D art fundamentals, including modeling, lighting, and rendering as they relate to VFX.
• Ability to provide meaningful feedback and help maintain the visual quality and consistency of VFX across a project.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize work, and adapt to changing project needs.

All Levels Should Have:

• Strong artistic eye and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to iterate quickly without sacrificing quality.
• Strong understanding of real-time VFX and 3D game production pipelines.
• Experience with Houdini or other procedural VFX tools
• Welcomes and provides valuable, constructive feedback.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and production demands.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

Bonus XP:

• Shipped a AA or AAA game, particularly an Unreal Engine title.
• Experience with advanced Niagara workflows and Unreal Engine 5's VFX tools.
• Experience creating VFX for character abilities, combat, weapons, environments, or cinematic sequences.
• Experience optimizing VFX for performance across different platforms.
• Strong understanding of materials, shaders, lighting, and rendering as they relate to real-time VFX.
• Experience creating custom textures, flipbooks, meshes, or other assets specifically for VFX.
• Experience working with both stylized and realistic VFX.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the hired applicant may be required to undertake additional tasks as may be reasonably expected to perform.

Pay range: $70,000- 120,000k Title level and base pay offered will be based on candidate’s skills, experience, and other professional considerations.

Gunfire Games LLC is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran’s status (including protected veterans, as may be required by federal law), sexual orientation or any other category protected by law.

Gunfire Games LLC participates in E-Verify. All new hires are required to complete the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and provide documentation to confirm their identity and authorization to work in the United States.