Lead VFX Artist - High-Fidelity Visual Effects

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Fully remote work flexibility

Stock options and performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an innovative Lead VFX Artist to design and implement high-quality visual effects for a remote, global team. You will lead the VFX group, set artistic direction, and ensure technical excellence across platforms including PC, consoles, and mobile.

The role requires 6+ years in VFX with 2+ years in leadership, a strong portfolio of real-time and pre-rendered effects, and expertise in Houdini, Maya, After Effects, and engine VFX tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional VFX experience with at least 2 years in a lead/senior role.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire a team of artists.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating real-time and pre-rendered VFX work.
• Proficiency in Houdini, Maya, After Effects and particle systems; real-time tools in Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Knowledge of particle systems, simulations (fluids, smoke, fire) and lighting.
• Scripting experience (Python, MEL) is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists with creative and technical guidance.
• Design and implement high-quality visual effects across platforms.
• Develop and maintain VFX pipelines for efficient asset creation and integration.
• Collaborate with Art Directors and TDs to achieve artistic vision.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance on PC, consoles, and mobile.
• Develop real-time VFX systems in Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Stay updated on new VFX technologies and trends.
• Ensure consistency and quality of VFX throughout projects.

Skills

Lead team leadership

Portfolio excellence

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Graphics or related

Tools

Houdini

Maya

After Effects

Unreal Engine (Niagara)

Unity (VFX Graph)

Python

MEL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading name in digital entertainment, is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead VFX Artist to join their talented team remotely. This role is critical in designing and implementing stunning visual effects that elevate the user experience across multiple platforms. You will be responsible for leading the VFX team, setting the artistic direction, and ensuring the technical execution of all visual effects meets the highest standards. If you have a passion for creating spectacular, performance‑optimized effects and a proven track record of leading creative teams, this is the opportunity for you. This position offers the chance to work on groundbreaking projects from the comfort of your home, contributing to visually rich and immersive experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, providing creative direction and technical guidance.
• Design, create, and implement high-quality visual effects (explosions, magic, environmental effects, etc.) using various tools and techniques.
• Develop and maintain VFX pipelines and workflows for efficient asset creation and integration.
• Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Technical Directors, and other departments to achieve the desired artistic vision.
• Optimize VFX assets for performance across different target platforms (PC, consoles, mobile).
• Develop and implement real‑time VFX systems using engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Stay current with emerging VFX technologies, tools, and industry trends.
• Ensure the consistency and quality of VFX throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct technical reviews and provide feedback to the VFX team.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges related to visual effects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in VFX artistry, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire a team of artists.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional real‑time and pre‑rendered VFX work.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard VFX software such as Houdini, Maya, After Effects, and particle systems.
• Experience with real‑time VFX tools within game engines like Unreal Engine (Niagara) or Unity (VFX Graph).
• Solid understanding of particle systems, simulations (fluids, smoke, fire), shaders, and lighting.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL) is a plus.
• Excellent understanding of art fundamentals, composition, color, and timing.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Full remote work flexibility.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous vacation and personal leave policy.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Access to cutting‑edge software and hardware.
• Be part of a globally recognized and respected studio.
• Performance‑based bonuses and potential for stock options.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Engaging and challenging projects with creative freedom.