Lead VFX Artist

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health Insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work

Growth opportunities

Creative studio in PE

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead VFX Artist for our Port Elizabeth studio to drive the visual effects for our dynamic games.

You will lead a team of VFX artists, define style, and ensure real-time rendering performance across platforms while collaborating with designers and engineers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in VFX artistry for games or film.
• Expertise in particle systems, shaders, and related VFX creation tools (e.g., Houdini, Unreal Engine Niagara, Unity VFX Graph).
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender).
• Strong understanding of real-time rendering techniques and performance optimization.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team, providing clear direction and feedback.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Create breathtaking visual effects (explosions, magic, environmental effects, etc.) using industry-standard software.
• Develop and refine VFX pipelines and workflows for maximum efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate closely with game designers and engineers to integrate VFX seamlessly into the game engine.
• Establish and maintain the visual quality and style guide for all visual effects.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance and memory constraints across multiple platforms.

Skills

VFX leadership

Particle systems

Shaders

Unreal Engine Niagara

Unity VFX Graph

Maya

Blender

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Houdini

Unreal Engine Niagara

Unity VFX Graph

Maya

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an imaginative and technically skilled Lead VFX Artist to join their vibrant team in Port Elizabeth . In this critical role, you will be responsible for overseeing the creation of stunning visual effects that enhance the player experience and artistic vision of their games. You will lead a team of VFX artists, define the visual style for effects, and ensure seamless integration into the game engine. This position demands a blend of artistic talent, technical expertise, and strong leadership capabilities, offering a chance to shape the visual spectacle of exciting new titles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Create breathtaking visual effects (explosions, magic, environmental effects, etc.) using industry-standard software.
• Develop and refine VFX pipelines and workflows for maximum efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate closely with game designers and engineers to integrate VFX seamlessly into the game engine.
• Establish and maintain the visual quality and style guide for all visual effects.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance and memory constraints across multiple platforms.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in VFX artistry for games or film, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse effects.
• Expertise in particle systems, shaders, and related VFX creation tools (e.g., Houdini, Unreal Engine Niagara, Unity VFX Graph).
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender).
• Strong understanding of real-time rendering techniques and performance optimization.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team, providing clear direction and feedback.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• A creative and supportive studio environment in Port Elizabeth.